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Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk

The Ridgeway, lovely views and the Chilterns.

Buckinghamshire Chilterns My Favourites Ridge Ridgeway Path

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sat, 18-May-24 Princess Risborough to Wendover 6 sunny
Sun, 24-Sep-23 Princes Risborough to Wendover 10 intermittently sunny and breezy
Sat, 11-Mar-23 Princess Risborough to Wendover 5
Sat, 29-Jan-22 Princes Risborough to Wendover - Along the Ridgeway through the Chiltern Hills, Chequers, Coombe Hill, then down to Wendover 18 very mild mostly overcast day with some sunny spells
Sat, 05-Sep-20 Princes Risborough to Wendover - the Ridgeway, Chequers and Coombe Hill - in the Chilterns 8 sunny at times rain just held off
Sat, 20-Jul-19 Princess Risborough to Wendover
Sat, 15-Sep-18 Princess Risborough to Wendover 8 sunny with a gentle breeze
Sun, 08-Jan-17 1 – the Ridgeway Path through Chequers
Sun, 07-Feb-16 1 – A view of Chequers from the Ridgeway
Sat, 08-Aug-15 Saturday First Walk - a late start 15 sunny and hot
Wed, 01-Apr-15 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sun, 02-Nov-14 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk 3
Sun, 02-Feb-14 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk 9
Sun, 09-Jun-13 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk 0
Sat, 09-Mar-13 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk 11
Sun, 29-Jul-12 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sun, 01-Jan-12 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sat, 26-Nov-11 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sun, 16-Jan-11 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Thu, 30-Dec-10 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sun, 28-Feb-10 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Wed, 30-Dec-09 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Tue, 30-Dec-08 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sat, 01-Nov-08 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sun, 18-Nov-07 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sat, 20-Oct-07 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sun, 03-Jun-07 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk
Sat, 30-Dec-06 Princes Risborough to Wendover Walk

Saturday 18-May-24

PeteG
T=1.52
Length: 10.5 miles (16.9 km) 6 out of 10
"This walk is easy to follow, being mainly along the Ridgeway and is very much uphill and downhill, but not strenuously so. The way is predominantly through high beech woods and chalk downlands, including the Ridgeway path across open countryside, passing Chequers, the PM's country retreat. It has views out from Coombe Hill over the Vale of Aylesbury and surrounding counties. The walk ends by descending into the pleasant old town of Wendover."
You will need the online instructions for directions to the lunch pub in Great Kimble, as the pub in the book is closed. The Plough is best avoided, as it has become a tourist destination.
Trains: Get the 0937 train from London Marylebone, arriving Princess Risborough at 1021 . Return trains are xx57 via Amersham & Harrow. Buy a day return to Aylesbury, which will cover both routes.
Lunch: is The Swan (tel 01844 275288) in Smokey Row (Great Kimble), 8.2 km into the walk. There is a park nearby for picnics
Tea: The Shoulder of Mutton pub is next to the station, or tea shops in Wendover High Street.
  • Fri, 24-May-24

    6 arrived at PR prepared for a rainy day. Good news on the weather, which turned out sunny . However no trains were running on the Wendover line, with a bus replacement service to Amersham and then tube back to Marylebone. 1 determined to do the posted walk, with a copy of the Weekend Guardian to while away the extended return.

    Four continued to lunch and then returned to PR via a circuitous route. I improvised a route to Saunderton via Lacey Green, Speen, and Walter’s Ash which was really nice.

Sunday 24-Sep-23

Wanderer

T=1.52

Length : 16.9 km (10.5 miles). If you omit the detour to the lunch pub at Great Kimble, the walk length is 14.1 km (8.8 miles).

Toughness 6 out of 10

This walk is easy to follow, being mainly along the Ridgeway and is very much uphill and downhill, but not strenuously so. The way is predominantly through high beech woods and chalk downlands, including the Grangelands Nature Reserve and has views out from Coombe Hill over the Vale of Aylesbury and surrounding counties. The walk ends by descending into the pleasant old town of Wendover.

Trains: Take the 10.00 train from London Marylebone arriving Princes Risborough 10.33.

Return trains from Wendover leave at xx.27 and xx.57

Tickets: As your journeys are on different branches of the Chiltern Railways network you will need to buy a return ticket to Aylesbury, where the two branch lines converge. Make sure your ticket is valid on both branches by purchasing a Day Return Any Route Permitted .

Lunch: The suggested lunch stop is The Swan (tel 01844 275288) in Smokey Row (Great Kimble), a family owned Free House, some 8.2 km into the walk.

Those starting later or not wishing to detour to the Swan can take an early lunch (a little over one hour into the walk) at the Plough (tel 01844 343 302) in Lower Cadsden, some 5.1 km into the walk. It serves food midday to 2pm daily

Tea: The suggested tea place for chocaholics is Rumsey's Chocolaterie (tel 01296 625 060), five minutes from Wendover Station, which is open until 5.30pm

For directions, map and GPS click here

  • Sun, 24-Sep-23

    10 on a intermittently sunny and breezy day.The 10am train was delayed so 5 early arrivers at Marylebone took the 9.40 train, picking up a 6th en route. Four others took the 10.10 train and caught up with the earlier starters at lunch. Four went to the pub for lunch, six used picnic tables in a field in front of a farm shop and snack van about half an hour after the pub turn off. Some bought bottles of beer from the farm shop.The picnickers reached Wendover at around 2.45pm and had time for refreshments at the pub and deli before catching the 15.27 train back to London. The pub lunchers may wish to report on their experience.

    This is a lovely walk with some hilly bits, expansive views and many stretches through woods which will look stunning in their autumn colours.

  • Sun, 24-Sep-23

    Four of us had a good lunch at the Swan before attempting the crossing of Chequers. Many sloes were to be found in the hedgerows but it was too dry for mushroom hunting. We enjoyed the first signs of autumn - leaves showing signs of yellow and red. Augurs magnificent autumn colours to come? A late dessert was enjoyed at the Shoulder of Mutton by 3 and 4 caught the 1657 to Marylebone.

Saturday 11-Mar-23

PeteG
T=1.52
Length: 10.5 miles (16.9 km) 6 out of 10
"This walk is easy to follow, being mainly along the Ridgeway and is very much uphill and downhill, but not strenuously so. The way is predominantly through high beech woods and chalk downlands, including the Ridgeway path across open countryside, passing Chequers, the PM's country retreat. It has views out from Coombe Hill over the Vale of Aylesbury and surrounding counties. The walk ends by descending into the pleasant old town of Wendover."
You will need the online instructions for directions to the lunch pub in Great Kimble, as the pub in the book is closed. The Plough is best avoided, as it has become a tourist destination.
Trains: Get the 1000 Birmingham train from London Marylebone, arriving Princess Risborough at 1033. Return trains are xx28 & xx58 via Amersham & Harrow. Buy a day return to Aylesbury, which will cover both routes.
Lunch: is The Swan (tel 01844 275288) in Smokey Row (Great Kimble). There is a park nearby for picnics
Tea: The Shoulder of Mutton pub is next to the station, or tea shops in Wendover High Street.

  • Sat, 11-Mar-23

    5 at the start on a lovely day for a walk. Sadly it became 4 +1 after the hill out of Princess Risborough. Hopes of reuniting at the pub were dashed by a handwritten sign, not open till one, no lunch food.

    One of us had headed off, pleading an evening in a pub, getting a bit of a start & not hearing our shouts as we followed behind. Fortunately we got together for a picnic on a pleasant hillside after yet another climb.

    Just missing a train gave time for a pint & tea, before getting the 1558, but no sign of the 5th man.

  • Sun, 12-Mar-23

    The 5th man had been slowed by the patina of mud covering large stretches of the walk. This doubled the effort required making it a 10 out of 10 - at least. Need special tyres for that. Not having read the directions fully, he took the back-garden footpath it says not to use. Weirdest footpath ever. At least the boisterous dog was friendly. The 5th man cleverly reached the Swan just as they opened and liquid refreshment was consumed. The owners had gone skiing. (They could have skied down some of todays slopes). A quick half consumed in the Shoulder of Mutton then off to the station where one of the others, a Rumseys chocoholic, was still on the platform

Saturday 29-Jan-22

Marcus
Book 1, Walk 52 - Princes Risborough to Wendover

Length: 16.9 km (10.5 miles) or 14.1 km (8.8 miles), with option to reduce both by 1 mile
Toughness: 6 out of 10 Lots of steady ups and downs to keep you awake
London Marylebone: 10-00 hrs Chilterns service to Birmingham Moor Street
Arrive Princes Risborough: 10-32 hrs
Return
Wendover to Marylebone: Chilterns services at 28 and 58 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: if still available, the best value ticket today is a Super Off-Peak day return to Aylesbury (where both branches of Chilterns Railway converge). Otherwise, to cover both branches of the Chilterns Railway, you will need a day return to Aylesbury Any Route Permitted.
This popular outing in the Chiltern Hills starts with stretch along the Icknield Way before you climb up into woodland on the Ridgeway path to Whiteleaf Cross to enjoy a panoramic view. You then drop down on the Ridgeway to the hamlet of Lower Cadsden where those opting for a shorter walk today can try to have lunch at the Plough pub (the pub where the then PM David Cameron left his daughter behind). You should arrive a little before opening time, so there is no need to rush the opening leg of the walk. The Plough's other claim to fame is it is now owned by Chinese investors following Mr Cameron taking the Chinese President Xi Jinping there for a pint when staying at Chequers: the President apparently liked the beer.
Those on the longer version of today's walk should have time (available daylight) to head to Great Kimble and back - to take lunch at the Swan, in Smokey Row.
After lunch, The Plough lunchers bypass Great Kimble and head over Grangelands Nature Reserve to walk above Chequers, the PMs retreat. The Smokey Row route also joins just before Chequers. You cross the driveway of this estate to head up the Ridgeway through light woodland. Today I suggest you do not go as far as the village of Dunsmore - Dunsmore Woods are likely to be horribly muddy - but instead stay on the Ridgeway path as it turn left to Coombe Hill and the Boer War Monument. You then drop down from this hill on the Ridgeway all the way to Wendover. Near the railway station is the Shoulder of Mutton pub, a regular SWC watering hole which also serves food all day. Further down the High Street on the left is Rumsey's Chocolaterie for those in need of a chocolate fix.
T=1.52
Walk Directions are here: L=1.52
  • Fri, 28-Jan-22

    Hello. I am probably doing the walk tomorrow to prices risborough, which Marcus has put on the schedule. Does that mean that Marcus will be on the walk himself? Many thanks, Debbie

  • Fri, 28-Jan-22

    Hi Debbie - I'm afraid so - I usually try to attend all walks that I post.

  • Sat, 29-Jan-22

    18 showed up for this TO Book One Chiltern's classic - and best I know few were disappointed with the walk. It was a very mild mostly overcast day with some sunny spells , and a gentle breeze which became quite strong in exposed parts, such as the viewing point above Whiteleaf Cross. The view here today was crystal clear. 4 had booked to dine at the Plough, in Lower Cadsden (do please let us know how you got on) and the rest of us headed for Smokey Row, where one of our regulars had kindly made a booking for us at the Swan pub. We duly arrived at the pub in good time, and the 8 of us booked in for lunch had a section of the pub to ourselves, which was pleasant, even if a bit of heating would have been nice. No matter - the landlord was very friendly and our meals arrived promptly - and they were very good, too - as was the draught beer. We were the landlord's only customers for the first hour or so, but then some cyclists arrived, to boost the pub's takings.

    The afternoon was enjoyable and most of us opted to do the full walk, via Dunsmore Village and Dunsmore Wood, which for once was not too muddy. Infact, to my pleasant surprise, there was little mud all day and what there was was very manageable. A real bonus, as when I posted the walk I was concerned we might be in for another mudfest. On arriving at the Boer Monument on Coombe Hill, the setting sun came out - and the light was glorious as we descended the grassy way down to Wendover. A few went to Rumsey's for a chocolate fix, but most of us met up in the Shoulder of Mutton, a SWC favourite, where some had puddings - others beers or tea. Most left to catch the 16-58 hrs service whilst two of us dallied and caught the slightly delayed 17-28 hrs train back to London.

    To summarise, methinks it was a lovely day's walking in the Chilterns in the best of SWC company.

Saturday 05-Sep-20

Marcus
Book 1, Walk 52 - Princes Risborough to Wendover

Length: 16.9 km (10.5 miles) Options to reduce length to 9 miles and 8 miles
Toughness: 6 out of 10

London Marylebone: 10-05 hrs Chiltern Railway's stopping service to Aylesbury
Arrive Princes Risborough: 11-01 hrs

Return
Wendover to Marylebone: 26 and 56 mins past the hour

Rail ticket
As Princes Ris and Wendover are on different branches of the Chiltern Railways network, you should buy a return to where the lines converge : that is Aylesbury. The correct ticket, technically, is a "Day Return to Aylesbury Any Route Permitted ". This costs a fiver more than a plain "Day Return to Aylesbury" if using a travelcard from the edge of Zone 6. The best value ticket available today for all is probably a "Super Off-Peak Day Return to Aylesbury" from Marylebone.


This is a late posting and an antidote to two long walks posted in Sussex today. The Chilterns are much nicer !

You get a decent workout today - not too strenuous but some good ups and downs to keep you honest. And the walk length is manageable for most SWC walkers, particularly us "seniors" - and younger walkers alike.

Leaving Princes Ris. station you soon have a long stretch along the Upper Icknield Way before you climb up into the woods on the Ridgeway path, to enjoy fine views from Whiteleaf Cross. Downhill then to Lower Cadsden, where you have the option of an early lunch at the Plough pub - the one where former PM Mr Cameron forget he had his older daughter with him and left her behind. He just survived the wrath of Mrs C because a few months later he returned - sans daughter - in the company of China's PM, who must have liked the beer as subsequently the pub was purchased by a Chinese company. But the suggested lunch stop - requiring a pleasant detour to the hamlet of Smokey Row - is the Swan pub. They have a barbecue plus pizzas on a Saturday. I have made a provisional booking for us, to be tweaked with numbers from Princes Ris on the day.

After lunch we return to the main route through Great Kimble for another stretch along the Ridgeway path across open countryside, passing along the way Chequers, the PM's country retreat. Onwards then uphill into more woods before we walk through the quaint village of Dunsmore. Paths through the woods which follow are usually muddy, even in summer, but after a while we will find ourselves on top of Coombe Hill, beside the Boer War Monument, to enjoy some fine views from this vantage point. Then it's downhill all the way on grassy paths to the town of Wendover. Handily placed, close to the railway station, is the Shoulder of Mutton pub, but chocaholics prefer to head down the High Street to Rumsey's Chocolaterie for a chocolate fix.
T=1.52
Walk Directions are here: L=1.52
  • Sun, 06-Sep-20

    Eight SWC walkers met at Princes Risborough station, but we lost one soon after setting out: we were going too fast, apparently. A great shame - we would have adjusted the pace to accommodate her if only she had let us know. I believe she concocted a walk of her own - I hope she managed to enjoy her day. Another SWCer was on the train an hour behind us. Two ladies alighted from our train and armed with the SWC walk directions set out on the walk - doing their own thing. Two Ramblers Groups - using the SWC directions. A dozen from the North-East London group, an hour ahead of us - we met up at the lunch pub. And half a dozen from Hampstead Ramblers. Let's report 8 for the SWC walk.

    When the sun shone through it was warm enough to be in shirtsleeves, but at other times an extra layer was needed. sunny at times rain just held off . At various times of the day large black dramatic clouds threatened to drench us but we were very lucky as they did not.

    As for the walk, half our number had not tackled it before, and they seemed to enjoy the lovely Chiltern scenery, and the ups and downs. After taking in the views from Whiteleaf Cross, we descended to Lower Cadsden before we all took the detour to Smokey Row, Great Kimble for lunch at the Swan. We had reserved tables in the pub's garden where we were served home made pizzas in barbecue mode. Now I am not a fan of pizzas but hats off to the Swan's owner / chef for producing delicious, tasty, light versions of this boring fare. I had previously reported the management of this pub could be "difficult" and downright unfriendly to walkers (particularly if they hadn't booked ahead) but today the owner and staff could not have been nicer. A different luncheon experience to the norm - and highly recommended if you like a change.

    The sun dipped in and out for our post lunch leg of the walk. We waved hello to Chequers - in case Boris and Carrie were in - then climbed up into the woods and on to the village of Dunsmore. Now I have been on this walk many a time but nearly always in winter, when the woods after Dunsmore are a mud-fest. So how nice today to walk along paths firm underfoot with only the odd patch of mud to remind one of what to expect in winter.

    The skies were clear for the 360 degree views from the Boer War Monument on top of Coombe Hill, which we shared with a number of families, children and walkers out enjoying themselves. Our late start walker joined us here for the final descent to Wendover. Our group then split 50:50 with chocoholics visiting Rumseys and the rest of us stopping at the Shoulder of Mutton, where social distancing rules and one way systems etc were strictly enforced by the management. Despite this drinks were enjoyed before we boarded the 17-26 hrs train back to Marylebone. I suspect the chocoholics took the 17-56.

    In summary - an energetic walk in excellent company - and methinks a nice introduction to the Chilterns for our first timers to the area.

Saturday 20-Jul-19

Mike A

Length 9.5 miles (15 km)
Toughness 4 out of 10

Getting there

Catch the 10:13 am Aylesbury train from London Marylebone to arrive at Princes Risborough station at 11:02 am.

Getting back

Trains depart at 26 and 56 minutes past the hour from Wendover back to London.

Plan your journey here.

Tickets

Buy a cheap day return to Princes Risborough.


Maps

OS Landranger Map 165, Explorer Map 181.

Overview

This is pleasant undulating walk in the Chilterns taking the direct route to Combe Hill from Chequers described in Section 30, (when you have completed this section jump to section 44)
You may shorten the walk further to 7.8 miles by not detouring to The Swan pub at Smokey Row and instead opting for lunch at the Plough.
However this walk is posted for those who prefer a more leisurely pace and I would recommend you choose the Swan Pub.
In the afternoon, the walk passes Chequers bristling with cameras before heading to Combe hill and the Boer War Monument there. The final leg is a gentle decent into Wendover

Lunch

The preferred lunch stop is The Swan at Smokey Row t: 01844 275288, but as I mentioned you may also opt for the earlier pub, The Plough at Cadsden t: 01844 343302

Tea

Plenty of options in Wendover with Rumsey's Chocolaterie for tea and yummy chocolate delights or The Red Lion Hotel or the Shoulder of Mutton Pub (next to the station) for something stronger

More details about this walk may be found on the link below
L=1.52
T=1.52

Saturday 15-Sep-18

PeteG
Princess Risborough to Wendover T=1.52

Length: 10.5 miles ( 16.9 km) 6 out of 10

"This walk is easy to follow, being mainly along the Ridgeway and is very much uphill and downhill, but not strenuously so. The way is predominantly through high beech woods and chalk downlands, including the Grangelands Nature Reserve and has views out from Coombe Hill over the Vale of Aylesbury and surrounding counties. The walk ends by descending into the pleasant old town of Wendover."

You will need the online instructions for directions to the lunch pub in Great Kimble, as the pub in the book is closed. The Plough is best avoided, as it has become a tourist destination.

Trains: The directions say take the nearest train to 1000, so get the 1013 Aylesbury train from London Marylebone, arriving Princess Risborough at 1102. Return trains are xx26 & xx56 via Amersham & Harrow. Buy a return to Aylesbury, which will cover both routes.

Lunch: is The Swan (tel 01844 275288) in Smokey Row (Great Kimble)

Tea: The Shoulder of Mutton pub is next to the station

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 15-Sep-18

    A good walk for this time of year. One one hilltop we stood by a kestrel hovering so we watched for a few minutes - a wonderful sight.

    Only saw one red kite all day.

    Sadly we also saw a dead woodpecker (lesser spotted?) lying on its back on the ground as though it had died in the tree and fallen backwards. This was on the Chequers Estate - perhaps it was a spy and was poisoned? I was visiting Salisbury Cathedral.

  • Sat, 15-Sep-18

    8 on this walk, 5 on the official train 2 early birds and 1 late riser who caught up. Weather was sunny with a gentle breeze Mr Tiger might even have topped up his tan.

    Your correspondent was slow today, well behind the others and therefore cannot comment on the Swan, having eschewed that option. However, when the Plough hove into view he was in there like a terrier after a rat. Having been particularly slow on the slopes, there was a need to top up the ‘hill oil’ for the remaining ascents. He can report that the place was devoid of tourists - although the bar staff confirmed they do get a few.

Sunday 08-Jan-17

Sean
Book 1 Walk 52 – Princes Risborough to Wendover
Length: 16.8 km (10.4 miles). Toughness: 6/10

10:13 Aylesbury (via High Wycombe) train from Marylebone, arriving Princes Risborough at 11:00. Buy a day return to Aylesbury, which is valid to both Princes Risborough and Wendover.

Trains back from Wendover to Marylebone are at 26 & 56 minutes past the hour.

The original lunch pub on this Chilterns walk closed several years ago but detailed directions have recently been added for a detour to the Swan in Smokey Row, described as pleasant and walker-friendly. Earlier you pass the Plough in Lower Cadsden but this is likely to be overrun with Chinese tourists, simply because their Premier was taken there by Dave a year or two ago – in fact it's now owned by a Chinese conglomerate. At the end of the walk there's a choice of tea places in Wendover, all doubtless familiar to regular walkers.

The directions point out a couple of ways of shortening the walk. If you don't want a pub lunch you can save over 3 km by omitting the detour to Smokey Row, and later you can save about 1½ km by staying on the Ridgeway and bypassing Dunsmore.

You'll need to print the directions from the Walk 52 page (Book 1 doesn't have the new lunch pub detour). T=1.52

Sunday 07-Feb-16

Sean
Book 1 Walk 52 – Princes Risborough to Wendover, omitting Great Kimble
Length: 13.4 km (8.3 miles). Toughness: 5/10

10:43 Banbury train from Marylebone, arriving Princes Risborough at 11:25. Buy a day return to Aylesbury, which is valid to both Princes Risborough and Wendover.

Trains back from Wendover to Marylebone are at 28 & 58 minutes past the hour.

The original lunch pub on this classic Chilterns walk closed several years ago, which means that there is no point in descending into Great Kimble. Instead, stay on the Ridgeway (as described in paragraph 21 of the online directions), saving 1½ km. If you want a pub lunch you will have to choose between an early one at The Plough in Lower Cadsden, or completing the whole walk and going for one of the pubs in Wendover: the Shoulder of Mutton next to the station and the Red Lion in the High Street both serve food all day.

NB. I vaguely remember that the muddiest part of this walk is through the woods from Dunsmore to the Monument. If you've got a map you can avoid this section by turning left at the top of the woods after you've passed Chequers, staying on the waymarked Ridgeway/South Bucks Way. This takes you directly to the Monument and is about 1½ km shorter.

Bring Book 1 or print the directions from the Walk 52 page. T=1.52
  • Sun, 31-Jan-16

    Wasn't it the Plough where Cameron treated Chinese president Xi to a pint a couple of months back? From what I hear, it has become something of a tourist attraction for Chinese people since then.

  • Sun, 31-Jan-16

    http://www.itv.com/news/2015-10-22/time-for-a-swift-pint-david-cameron-takes-chinas-president-xi-to-his-local-pub/

  • Sun, 31-Jan-16

    Indeed it is, Walker. And also the pub where Dave'n'Sam carelessly left one of their sprogs behind after a family lunch a few years ago. With this fame and the consequent throng of Chinese tourists taking selfies you'll do well to get through to the bar here, let alone enjoy a relaxing Sunday lunch. Perhaps if someone with a smattering of Mandarin calls ahead from the station you might have more luck...

    The closure of the Bernard Arms and the attention being given to the Plough does make this walk problematical, if only for people wanting a pub lunch en route. But I think it's worth posting the original walks while the Time Out books are still selling and people tell us they want the opportunity to do them in company as their creator intended.

  • Anonymous
    Mon, 01-Feb-16

    Perhaps people could book ahead if they are definitely intending to have lunch

    jfk

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 02-Feb-16

    I'm quite keen for Plough lunch - and happy to book if anyone else confirms interest...

  • Thu, 04-Feb-16

    Hi Judes. yes i am interested to do that.Jane

    dowe need to exchange contact details jfk

  • Sat, 06-Feb-16

    Dear Judes .did you manage to book or should we do it tomorrow on train?

    Best,

    jane

  • Anonymous
    Mon, 08-Feb-16

    Five Saturday walkers on this Sunday walk.

    Slightly slippery chalk descent to the Plough. I had managed to book a table and two others had eaten there before myself. Not quite sure why David Cameron chose that pub to entertain the Chinese Head of State. I found the food to be ok but certainly not more than that.no visiting tables of Chinese tourists were spotted by myself either. a pleasant walk .

    jfk

Saturday 08-Aug-15

Bridie
I will be standing down shortly s o a new volunteer poster is needed - or volunteers: it is perfectly OK to volunteer for every other week or even one week in four.
Traditionally this slot has been chosen from Book 1 or Book 2 walks and the feeling is that it would be good to continue this.
The work involves choosing a walk - choosing a train time and posting it.
The posting team will be very happy to give the new poster/s support
To volunteer email saturdaywalkersATyahooDOTcoDOTuk (or post a comment if you have a question).

The job is easy and does giv e you the chance to be creative if you wish or you could revert to just posting Book 1 walks in the original order with Book 1 Walk 1 on the first Saturday in the year and then on so about now you would be posting Book 1 Walk 32 Arundel to Amberley
The walk posters look forward to hearing from you


Book 1 Walk 52 : Princes Risborough to Wendover
14.9km (9.3 miles) or if you follow the info below then 13.4Km (so say 8.5 miles)
6 out of 10
Explorer 181 or Landranger 165
Walk map here
https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_1/walk_52/map.shtml


Take the 11.09am from Marylebone Station to Princes Risborough arriving 11.54 .
Trains back from Wendover run twice an hour at XX.13 and XX.43. Journey time 52 minutes.
Buy a day return to Aylesbury (where the two Chiltern branch lines converge).

A ridiculously late start but I dare say there will be a few who fancy it. Allowing an hour for lunch you should be back at Wendover by say 16.30 so still time for tea / chocolate and back into London by around 6

This walk is easy to follow, being mainly along the Ridgeway and is very much uphill and downhill, but not strenuously so. The way is predominantly through high beech woods and chalk downlands, including the Grangelands Nature Reserve and has views out from Coombe Hill over the Vale of Aylesbury and surrounding counties. The walk ends by descending into the pleasant old town of Wendover.

From the updates
While the Bernard Arms is closed it is simpler to stay on the Ridgeway at para 21 and avoid the out-and-back route into Great Kimble. The book route rejoins from the left in 200m and you resume at para 26. This short cut reduces the walk length by 1.5km.

If you want a pub lunch, The Plough in Lower Cadsden ( http://theplough.pub/good-food-pubs-buckinghamshire ) is more up-market than its outward appearance suggests, with expensive main courses. The sandwiches and ploughman's are probably a better choice. You'll reach this pub in an hour from getting off of the train so say 13.00 ish.
You need to phone and book. Last time I did this walk they wouldn't take a booking but we turned up and they gave us a table for 7 and the food was good and fast
The remainder of the walk takes between 2 and 2½ hours.

The suggested tea place is Le Petit Café (tel 01296 624 601), five minutes from Wendover Station, which is open until 5.30pm. Cocoa aficionados may instead succumb to nearby Rumsey’s Chocolaterie (tel 01296 625 060), which also serves tea and coffee and is open until 6.30pm.
Also worth considering are the bar of the 17th century Red Lion Hotel (tel 01296 622 266) and the Shoulder of Mutton pub (tel 01296 623 223).

Also from the updates
As you are finishing in Wendover you may want to try the Red Lion that as of January 2013 has the oldest (98) barmaid 'in the world' ( so she should be 100 by now ) and also looks like a nice pub
More info here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-21200916

Info and walk directions here
https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_1/walk_52/index.shtml
  • Anonymous
    Fri, 07-Aug-15

    I intend to go

  • Anonymous
    Fri, 07-Aug-15

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 08-Aug-15

    I meant to let a walker I met on this fine summer day, the details of the accommodation the SWC used in the Cairn Gorms. So just in case she looks at the comments for the walk here it is

    www.theposthouse.co.uk/

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 09-Aug-15

    15_16, sunny and hot , another Book 1 old favorite enjoyed by all, great views and lovely woods to cool down. Lunch at The Plough was basic but adequate. The instruction in the afternoon was somewhat confusing, at least two subgroups were lost in the woods. However, this was more than compensated for by the reward at Rumsey’s Chocolaterie in Wendover where a group of us had refreshment (homemade ice cream, tea, ice cream coffee etc) before heading back to London.