An improvement in the weather after the last couple of days brought 19 to the start on a bright crisp cold day. With such a big group, and people not wanting to hang around in the cold, the group soon got spread out. Your correspondent and a couple of others soon found themselves detached in the first wood. With a thick carpet of fallen leaves, it was difficult to tell if we were on a path or the GPX route, but anyhow all found a way through. We saw some patches of ice on the grass but in the woods it was squelchy enough to require good boots.

The next wood is also a bit tricky to navigate and I'm afraid I led our little group along the main path signposted for Hughenden Manor instead of the official route. We got there to find some picknickers ensconced on the green while others had squeezed into the crowded NT cafe. I gave up on queuing for a coffee there, wasting valuable time as the other picknickers decided it was too cold to wait and headed off before I could have my lunch. So for most of the afternoon it was just three of us stragglers. We dallied briefly at the mausoleum to muse on the vanity of Francis Dashwood, thinking that anyone would remember who he was centuries later.

We got to the station shortly before the 1532 train. On the platform we met walker20 who had missed the morning train, done some vital shopping, arrived an hour later, taken one of the short cuts and had finished in time to meet the main group for a drink before the train.

I think most of the sprinters ahead of us went to the Golden Cross and some lingered there but I decided to catch the train along with about half the group. Off we went in time for two of us to fit in the evening walk, making the most of a fine day

2 I am told

11 on a day mostly sunny humid later

St Botolph’s church (Bradenham) was open so we had a look in.

Later, in the woods, Mr Tiger decided to take the more direct route to the Le De Spencer, while the others took the Hughenden loop. Plan A was to wait there looking smug till the others turned up. He waited and waited, looking less and less smug. Eventually he gave up and moved on, maybe shedding a tear or two. But not many.

I don’t like to use the L word as you know, readers, but, apparently, there had been some changes to the paths in that area and it took them ‘a lot longer’ to get round.

Mr Tiger meanwhile strode on purposefully and reached the Golden Cross long before the others. Most of them did show up there eventually so that smug look did prove useful later. Btw, the Golden Cross is changing hands at the end of September.

Folks - some sad news. The Chequers Inn is temporarily closed whilst a new tenant is found.

Thanks for the notification. Will dine early / late at West Wycombe pub.

Not the route planned but a grand day out on the first winter walking this side of the summer.

4 met on the platform at Saunderton. No mud and plenty of crunching underfoot on frozen earth and leaves. Frost covered fields and crisp views across the valleys. Low sun cast long shadows across the woods and fields. An early break at St Botolph’s in Bradenham for a hot cup of tea (all do it yourself with a sum up machine left out for payment). And then no room in the three inns at West Wycombe. In the end the George and Dragon took pity on us and let’s us stay for some burgers and pie.

Insufficient time to complete the planned walk so headed for an educational trip to the Hellfire Caves and a steady pace along the ridge back to Saunderton through the gloaming. Most enjoyable walk and company. Crossed fingers that the Chequers Inn reopens.

Circa10 turned up for a lovely day out in the Chilterns. The group soon split with several people stopping to look at St Botolph Church Bradenham. A bit of a regroup took place at Hughenden where we discovered that an entry fee is expected if you want to use the picnic area and the apples are not to be picked(please note for future walks). A few went to the Spencers Arms, several more pushed on to the tea room at the caves in West Wycombe. The tea room and pub groups reconvened at the Mausoleum, and made our way back to Saunderton in time for the 16.52. A grand day out and thanks to Marcus for posting

Windfalls also are not to be collected, as they are collected by the Hughenden gardeners for pressing into apple juice, allegedly!

This one's gone a couple of weeks without a report, so I'd better file one.

11 on this walk, of whom 7 said they wanted lunch at the pub, and 6 actually took said lunch. (The previous week, more people took the lunch than said they wanted it, to the bemusement of that walk's poster.) Service, welcome and atmosphere were at a more elevated level than the cuisine.

I misremembered the tea place as being after the Dashwood Mausoleum, and so marched purposefully up the hill before being surprised by the realisation that the terrain have become inconsistent with the promise of a cafe or any chocolate cake. Those who weren't so dim passed the West Wycombe Caves and reported the cafe insufficiently inviting to prompt a visit.

warmish with light cloud as far as I can remember.

This sounds nice😊 thank you walk poster. So long since I did a walk can some1 please advise how do you buy a ticket using a freedom pass (and railcard)? ie getting the extra discount..ta

I meant BEFORE, not at the station - where there's likely to be a queue!

Most ticket machines support 'boundary zone6' as a starting point these days. Use the ticket from another station option. To buy online, you have to use a station on the route within zone6 as an approximation.

Thank you @Pete g

15 walkers, including 2 first-timers, set off on a hot sunny day along a route strewn with wild flowers (wild carrot, knapweed, poppies, ragwort). After Bradenham, your correspondent was shaken off on the climb into the woods. But, ever cheerful, always smiling, he soldiered on to the Le de Spencer Arms. He can report that the Book 2 directions still work. A whole pint of cider later, 11 of the others trickled in. Turns out they’d done a dilly-dally past Hughenden Manor. Those who ate were approving of the quality and service. Then we were off again, across the valley, and yours truly was left behind again. Having took a sneaky shortcut up the hill, I sat and waited with my smuggest expression for the others to struggle up the hard way. No luck. Turns out they had taken the same shortcut and were already ahead. :( I was surprised to have a view across to Bradenham from the ridge. Scrub clearance? Got to the station just in time to not have time to visit the Golden Cross. Needless to say, the others had had plenty of time.

Just 6 of us assembled at Saunderton railway station for today's walk on a day of mostly sunshine and occasional showers with steady breeze . Infact, we were most fortunate with the weather, given what had been forecasted, as we only encountered one light shower in the morning, and one in the afternoon when the sun was shining - but no rainbow. Over lunch there was a heavy hailstorm - but we were safely snug in the pub at the time.

It was nice to be walking in a small group (my preference always to mob walking) and we tackled the muddy, sodden paths through Bradenham Woods in good humour with pleasant chat. On reaching Hughenden Manor one of our ladies opted to visit former PM Disraeli's house and have lunch in the (usually) excellent NT cafeteria. We didn't see her on the walk again, so we hope she enjoyed the rest of her day.

The remaining 5 of us continued on the walk from Hughenden Manor and some thirty five minutes later we were in the pub, the Le De Spencer Arms. The pub was initially full inside so we anticipated outside dining under a canopy, which would have kept us dry (from the pending hailstorm) but it would have been a bit chilly after a while. So full marks to the pub's owners who took the trouble to make space for us inside, and then serve the five of us with good quality and filling pub grub. We lingered in the snug of the pub with post meal coffees and further half pints and it took an effort to leave and embark on the afternoon leg of the walk.

The post lunch walk was uneventful but very enjoyable and we took the easier ascent to the mausoleum above the Hellfire Caves. The onwards track beyond the church was both muddy and submerged but passable and we were back in Saunderton with ten minutes to spare before our target train - the 16-50 hrs - not enough time for tea at the Golden Cross but never mind. At the railway station we found a fast service train parked there - waiting for a broken down train ahead to moved. We were allowed to join the fast train and after an hours wait it set off, fast to Marylebone. As none of us had a pressing evening engagement we took the delay in our stride. It certainly did not spoil what had been a most enjoyable day's walking. I had forgotten how many ups and downs were along the way and the excellent variety in terrain and good views on this underrated walk.

So thanks to Pete for posting this walk today.

11 on this walk. A mix of sun and clouds and feeling very pleasant. Unusually for an SWC walk, we stayed together throughout with nobody rushing ahead. Lunch was taken at Hughenden Manor. Most elected to have a picnic outside, although a couple I believe sampled the delights from the café. We all stopped for a drink at the lovely garden at Le De Spencer’s Arms with further refreshments taken at the Golden Cross in Saunderton. All but the 2 car drivers were on the train back to London shortly before 5pm.

11 sun and clouds

Hi Guys I am attending this walk and its the standard walk 10 miles or 15 miles? Don't fancy walking in the dark with 15 miles although Wheeler ends looks good as I have not done this walk before. Any suggestion not to finish in the dark?

Thanks

Monica

The Wheeler End route branches off from the standard Saunderton via West Wycombe Circular at West Wycombe, which is about three quarters of the way through the walk. So you could just do the standard finish to the Saunderton Circular, which would be only 10.6 miles: it is a fairly straightforward route along the top of a ridge.

Many thanks Walker I shall do the standard version and hope to finish before sunset.

Monica

Is the nearest train before or after at 09.13? The 09.43 requires a change.

Walking in an Autumn Wonderland!

That's what it felt like, what with all (ALL!) the non-evergreen trees suddenly (compared to even just 3 days ago) having burst out in Ye Olde Russete Hues. Lots of leaves on the ground, a wind in the air, and all kinds of weather : from blue skies and sunshine at the start, to sloooowly clouding over, to going all dark grey brooding skies in no time at all, then to heavy downpour just 5 minutes b4 reaching the lunch pub, to overcast with rainbows and blue sky patches, to dark and broody again and then more rain, although lighter than b4.

An amazing number of dog walkers out in the morning, they had obv studied the weather forecast. And even more Red Kites in the air. 3 of the group had declared they wanted to walk the 'normal' 17 km version of the walk, in the end only 2 did. The rest had lunch at The Chequers in Wheeler End (this has been spruced up by Fuller's since last visited, now with impressive oak wooden floors etc.) and reached Saunderton at 16.15, leaving enough time 'til the 16.50 train for tea and cakes at The Golden Cross. The Landlady seemed disinterested in our business to a touch grumpy, but at the end of a walk, who really cares, as long as the cakes are del...?

Back in The Smoke at 17.30. Result!

7, including one driver (over from Newbury).

Art Fund members can get into Hughenden Manor free.

Great, I must remember to bring my card. Thanks for pointing this out.

Probably going, as no more apocalyptic storms forecast

Hi Can I meet with at least 2 others at the station to get a group save ?

Be independent Dan. Buy a Network Card. Pays for itself over time.

Sorry Dan, I'm travelling into London by train and it makes more sense for me to buy a return from my starting station

Anyone with a gold card or a network rail card can take three other walkers on their card and you can get 1/3 off rail fares, provided you travel together. Dan, if you wait at the ticket office and see anyone looks like a walker and ask around, I am sure you’ll find someone who will take you on their card. On the return journey, you can either stick to the person who you come with or find another person who has a network or gold card who can take you. It does not matter if you come with one person and return with another as long as the person you travel with has a network or gold card.

Early threats of rain on the train windows did not persist and 22 walkers were treated to a hot and sunny day. A bit muddy underfoot at times, but not as horrendous as winter. Plenty of birdsong, some butterflies, flowers a bit faded except the roses. It's easy to get lost in the woods. I missed a turn somewhere, was lost for ages, and somehow ended up at the pub first! Others had trouble too. The directions are probably due an update. Mind you, I was using the book! Meals seemed good in the Le de Spenser Arms. Tea was had at the Hellfire Caves, and for some, the Golden Cross, Most got the 17:55 some got the earlier train. Widespread agreement this walk was more than a 4.

I forgot to mention the abundance of red kites. I counted 11 in the air at one stage.

At least 9 stopped at HughendenManor for lunch followed by a short tour of the gardens, a tree of more than 2500 years old was spotted enroute, beautiful gardens and views over the valley. The food was tolerable but I had better days at NT cafe, a good place for picnic though.

Intend going.

4 in fog turning to spray . Atmospheric woods, a well lit mausoleum on the hill, splendid dinner in between at The George in West Wycombe, then a relative dash to definitely not miss the last train back.

4 of us on this outing in the Chilterns. overcast in the morning nice sunny and warm after lunch . The forecasted shower(s) arrived during our lunch stop, spent under cover in the pub's garden. Otherwise, we were spared rain and thunderstorms.

We happened upon a young couple, with Book 2 in hand. Hence they became lost more than once but made it to the pub where we were briefly re-united. Route finding on this varied and lovely walk, mostly through woodland, can be tricky and even the latest version of the directions needs sharpening up: quality well short of my Book 1 updates !!

Hughenden Manor was very busy, as expected during the school holidays, and well done to the National Trust for putting on a "Mad Hatters" Alice themed event for the little ones: we wanted to join in.

One in our party went direct to High Wycombe after lunch, leaving three of us to ascend the cliff to the Dashwood Mausoleum (it seems like a cliff to an oldie), then the relaxed walk along the track back to Saunderton. One on the 16-51, two of us on the 17-25, allowing time for refreshments at the walker friendly Golden Cross pub.

A nice day out, and once again, we were very lucky with the weather.

The extra one went back to Hughenden Manor to look at the house and partake of tea.Lovely day.

jfk

Just 8 of us got off the train, but one was off to Hughenden and three were wanting a shorter walk, so 4 did the actual walk. Lovely weather sunny , and an enjoyable walk and I didn't think the traffic noise on the approach to Wheelers End was much of a problem.

15 minutes of rain upon arrival, then later 15 minutes of driving drizzle, else overcast but dry with some piercing wind . new walk to me personally. very nice walk with a mixture of grassy slopes and ridges, plenty of woods and fine views (considering the low clouds), enjoyed by 9 walkers, who occasionally lost the route due to the old enemy of staying on course: too much chat.

But with several 'leaders' and 1 follower-of-a-line-on-a-screen, we always got back on route quickly. Major changes at the NT-property Hugenden Manor, else the directions stood up well.

A vote was taken at West Wycombe and we decided to push on to Wheeler End for late lunch at The Chequers. After some delay due to a First Aid necessity (painful looking damage to a wrist, with the patient later off for an X-ray to the nearest A&E from Marylebone station), we had a great lunch: tasty food, attentive staff, a very pleasant place.

The 16.50 was narrowly missed, so it was off to the Golden Cross with its grand selection of cakes.

En route we had overtaken a group of 10 Young Uns, whom we met back at the pub. Turned out they were work colleagues who had done the 'normal walk' off the 10.13 train. They had enjoyed themselves and asked to pass on many thanks to the walk author (David, are you reading this?). I tried to encourage them to leave a comment on the website, we shall see...

Thanks to everyone on the walk (after a ridiculous fall on and into a mudbath) for helping with the process of cleaning me up which everyone helped with including pain killers and backpack sorting out! Thank you Thomas for taking me to A&E which it turned out was the right thing as 3 XR's later (and about 3 hours later!)diagnosed fractured wrist and obligatory POP for 4-6 weeks. Despite all great walk, great team effort. Heidi

Heidi - sorry to hear your wrist is actually broken. I hope you're fully recovered and fighting fit again soon!

Hi, Are Network cards valid on the 9.43? Thanks.

Anonymous, if you have a Network Rail Card, then that doesn't work so well during weekdays. To summarise, the fare for this train is £14.40 and a train one hour later is £13.00.

The same tickets for both times at the weekend is £9.50.

Thank you,Arthur.

Please be more mindful of those who do not have the luxury of free or near-free travel, if you want to be fair, keep your walk numbers up and attract new blood. The difference in the Cheap Day RETURN tickets - comparing the 9.43 and 10.43 trains - is £7, £20.10 compared to £13.25. For Network Carders £7 is not a tiny amount. The pub serves lunch until 3pm so the later train would have been more sensible. It is also a relatively short walk. I appreciate that posting is not an easy job, but the point about Network cards has been made by others in the past. Thanks.

I totally agree with the last comment. Can't come because it is pre-10 o'clock and the price.

Really appreciate all your time and effort Arthur but mid week walks have traditionally always started post 10 o'clock

Expensive walks also encourage 'unoficial', unposted mid-week walks, leading to cliques and reducing the often modest 'official' walk numbers further, and who wants that? Second that comment about time and effort, and realise the antics of Southern hampers you, Arthur.

I'd like to apologise for misquoting the fares to Saunderton.

I had wrongly assumed that the cost of a return fare was just slightly above that of a single.

As you know, I try to post a varied range of walks on Wednesdays and quite a few have started before 10:00 am e.g. when there is a promo offer like SWT's current offer, or the return fare is not excessively above £10 (where a Network Card attracts little discount) and I will continue to do so when I feel it's appropriate.

This weeks walk is to, what I believe is, a particularly nice section of the Chilterns and involves a round trip railway journey of 80+ miles.

I know that some walkers will always be discouraged by some walks. The walks will be too long, too short, too hilly, too flat, too near London, too far from London, too late starting, too early starting, too expensive to get to and so forth.

So here's a challenge to the anonymous folk who've talked the talk, why not post the walk?

Get in touch with me (arthur at quitenear.me ) with a mid-week date or dates you'd like to post on and we'll make sure you're set up on blogger and the date or dates you wish to post on are kept free for you to indulge us with your offerings.

Train Fares

We tend to loose track (if you pardon the pun) on offers that the various train companies offer.

However I've just taken a peek at Chiltern Railways site and there are offers to be had where groups of three get a good discount (railcards make no difference)

I know this is a little late for tomorrow, but three could have travelled to Saunderton for £39-75 (details Here )

I've just re-read the walks notes re the lunchtime Pub and this is what they say ...

"The recommended pub lunchtime stop is Le De Spencer's Arms (tel 01494 535317), Downley Common 9km from the start of the walk, which serves food from 12 to 2pm daily. However you are strongly advised to phone through beforehand, on occasions they stop serving lunch much earlier."

Hence my note about calling them at the start of the walk

Just 6 chaps on today's walk, no ladies. Weather overcast in the morning sunny and warm-in-the-afternoon-with-cooling-breeze

In other words, near perfect summer walking weather. Without some ladies to keep us in check, the six of us managed to become separated and semi-lost in Bradenham Woods, leaving 3 of us to take the long route to Hughenden Manor, where one of us stopped to do some sightseeing. That left two to head for the pub, where me met one who had taken the direct route to the pub to quench his thirst. A good pub lunch was enjoyed by the three of us, before we were collected by our sightseeing colleague from Hughenden (keep up at the back) for our afternoon leg. Now in a group of four, we set out in warm sunshine, tempered by a cooling breeze. The climb up to the Dashwood Mausoleum was challenging for us oldies, but the young swain in our company (who's rail tickets cost £ 12 more than their older colleagues) sportingly resuscitated the senior railcard holders who, now turbo-charged, sped off on the long downhill track back to Saunderton. Train times left us plenty of time to enjoy a cuppa or pint in the garden of the Golden Cross, before the four of us caught the 4-26 pm train back to London.

After some texting we located walker No 5 who was enjoying a visit to an exhibition at Hughenden Manor, but no-one knows what happened to No 6 - please come in, your time is up.

An enjoyable day for those who made it safely back to Saunderton.

On a footnote to Marcos's report, we found ourselves sat near to some Southbank Walkers on the outbound train. They were doing a Princess Ris to Great Miss walk and did try to encourage us to join them. Had we succumbed, we would have been able to say 0 took part in this SWC midweeker!

AD

May do this (again) as a bit of chilling out in the caves appeals on what could be another hot day.

And I have to say I enjoyed walking in the Chilterns last Saturday.

9 cloudy first then sunny and hot Most people seemed to get lost in one or another of the woods. Lunch for most was at the Le De Spencer. They were having a beer festival. Plenty of orchids centaury and marbled whites. Field bindweed at start was pretty. Made it back to Saunderton for 4:30. Visit to Golden Cross ensued.