Haddenham to Aylesbury via Waddesdon Walk

25.3 km (15.8 mi), with 329/332m ascent/descent. For a shorter walk see below Walk Options.

5 out of 10, with 5 hours 45 minutes walking time. For the whole outing allow at least 8 hours 30 minutes.

This walk through some scenic northerly parts of Aylesbury Vale combines tranquil stretches of the Thame Valley Walk with more energetic climbs and nice vistas in between, heading north through Upper Winchenden and the Rothschild’s Waddesdon estate, finally along a long tree-lined avenue up to Waddesdon Manor, situated on the prominent Lodge Hill.
After lunch in Waddesdon village, Eythrope Park (another Rothschild estate) is passed and the route follows the Thame River and the Bear Brook into Aylesbury’s Centre.

Shorter Alternative Endings at Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station or in Stone are described. They enable a visit of Waddesdon Manor House and Gardens (tickets need to be bought or scanned at the Welcome Pavilion in the Main Car Park).

Bus routes 16 and 17 (Marsh Gibbon or Bicester to Aylesbury) pass through Waddesdon and offer an option for a shorter walk, especially useful if planning an extended visit of Waddesdon Manor’s Gardens and Manor House. It takes you to or from Aylesbury station (roughly hourly Mon-Sat). The nearest stop is at The Lion pub mentioned in the walk notes.

The walk also offers one Shortcut and two Alternative Endings:
a Shortcut just before lunch (cuts 2.5 km and 58m descent/re-ascent);
an Alternative Ending at Aylesbury Vale Parkway station, one stop further up the line than Aylesbury and with less frequent service (cuts 5.4 km);
an Alternative Ending at a bus stop in Stone village for frequent services to Aylesbury or Haddenham (cuts 2.4 km).

OS Explorer: 181 (Chiltern Hills North)
OS Landranger: 165 (Aylesbury & Leighton Buzzard)

Haddenham & Thame Parkway station, map reference SP 731 085, is 10 km south west of Aylesbury, 22 km east of Oxford, and 81m above sea level. Aylesbury Station, map reference SP 817 134, is 78m above sea level. Both are in Buckinghamshire. Haddenham & Thame Parkway is on the London Marylebone to Bicester main line. Aylesbury is on the Marylebone to Aylesbury line (also operated by Chiltern Railways). It is also served by a loop branching off from the Bicester line at Princes Risborough. Buy a ‘Haddenham Return’-ticket, this is usually accepted at Aylesbury on the return, as it’s more expensive than an Aylesbury return. You may have to pay a single Aylesbury to Princes Risborough ticket, where the lines meet. Journey times are from 34 mins to HTP and from 60 mins from Aylesbury, with up to three trains per hour Mondays to Saturdays, and up to two trains per hour Sundays.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 9.30 hours.

Waddesdon Manor offers several options for lunch and/or tea, from formal service to food-to-go: for details check here: https://waddesdon.org.uk/your-visit/shop-eat-stay/.
The Five Arrows Hotel and Restaurant High Street, Waddesdon Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JE (01296 651 727). The Five Arrows is located 13.6 km (8.4 mi) into the walk.
The Long Dog 116 High Street, Waddesdon Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JF ( 01296 651 320). The Long Dog is located 13.7 km (8.5 mi) into the walk and has small outside seating areas at the front by a busy road and at the quieter back. This pub is now closed.
94 Coffee Shop 94 High Street, Waddesdon, Bucks, HP18 0JD (01296 706 360). 94 Coffee Shop is located 13.7 km (8.6 mi) into the walk.
The Lion 70 High Street, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0LB (01296 651 227). The Lion is located 13.8 km (8.6 mi) into the walk and also offers accommodation.

The Honey Bee Fairford Leys, Trenchard Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 7AA (01296 708 363) The Honey Bee is located 2.1 km from the end of the walk, and a Marston’s pub.

A plethora of options in Aylesbury City Centre (see Walk Directions pdf), recommended is:
The King’s Head King’s Head Passage, Market Square, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2RW (01296 718 812).

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Apr-23 Thomas G