www.walkingclub.org.uk
SaturdayWalkersClub
BeaconsfieldCircularWalk
Gentlehills,ChalfontStGiles,andJordans,ahamletwithQuakerlinks
Buckinghamshire ThamesValley
Chilterns
CircularWalk
Milton'scottage&aQuakerhamlet
Length
19.0km(11.9miles),5hours30minutes.Forthewholeouting,includingtrains,sightsand
meals,allowatleast9hours.
Toughnes 4outof10.
s
OSMaps
Explorer172orLandranger175.Beaconsfield,mapreferenceSU940912,isin
Buckinghamshire,7kmsouth-eastofHighWycombe.
Features
ThiswalkisclosetoLondon.ItpassesthecottageofthepoetJohnMiltoninChalfontStGiles
andcomestoJordans,ahamletwithQuakerlinks.Inbetween,thereistypical
Buckinghamshirecountrysidetoenjoy–gentlyrollingwoodedhills–enoughtoprovide
interestwithoutbeingtootiring!NavigationthroughHodgemoorWoodsinthemorningcanbe
challenging,sobringalongacompasstohelpyoukeeptothecorrectpaths.
Walk
Options
InsteadofcompletingtheloopbacktoBeaconsfield,fromJordansyoucouldtaketheshort
detourtoSeerGreen&Jordansrailwaystation(seetheasterisk[*]intheWalkDirections)and
catchthereturntrainfromthere.Youcanalsocutout750metresofroadwalkingbytaking
theshortcutatpoint[7]intheDirections.Youcouldalsoenquireatthelunchtimepubabout
busesortaxisbacktoBeaconsfieldor(goingintheoppositedirection)toGerrardsCross.
BeaconsfieldtoChorleywoodviatheChilternOpenAirMuseum
Length:15.7km(9.75miles).Toughness:4outof10
AsBeaconsfieldandChorleywoodareondifferentlinesyouwillneedtobutasingleto
BeaconsfieldandasinglebackfromChorleywood.ChorleywoodisinZone7soOystercards
canbeusedforthereturnjourney.
ThiswalkisdesignedtotakeadvantageoffreeentrytotheChilternOpenAirMuseum
(www.coam.org.uk).Thefirsthalfofthewalkfollowstherouteofthemorningsectionofthe
walkasfarasthenormallunchtimestopatChalfontStGiles.Afterlunchitisarelativelyshort
distance(about2km/1.25miles)tothemuseum.FromthemuseumtoChorleywood
(describedbyJohnBetjemanas“essentialMetro-land”)isabout4km/2.5miles.
Youcangetteaatthemuseumcafé,orattheendofthewalkinChorleywoodineitherRootz
CoffeeLoungeor,ifitisstillopenbythetimeyouarrive,MorgansDeli.Ifbothareclosed
youcantrythePeppermillontheoppositesideoftheroadfromRootz.
History
BekonscotModelVillage&Railway(tel.01494672919)inBeacons​fieldistheworld’s
oldestoriginalmodelvillage(1929)comprising6modeltownsof1930svintage,aGauge1
railway,aride-onrailwayandotherattractionsona1.5acresite.Itisopenmid-Februaryto
October,10amto5pmdaily,includingbankholidays.Admission(2017)is£10.00
ThevillageofChalfontStGilesislargelyunspoilt,withmanylistedbuildingsandlying
mostlywithinaConservationArea.(ItwasusedasWarmington-on-SeainthefilmofDad’s
Army).
ItwasaQuaker,ThomasEllwood,whoacquiredacottageinChalfontStGilesasarefugefor
JohnMilton.InLondon,theplaguewasaseriousthreatand,asahighprofilesupporterofthe
republicancause,Milton’slibertywasalsoatriskfollowingtheRestoration.Itwasduringthe
shorttimethathelivedherethathecompletedhisepicpoemParadiseLostandwasinspired
(byaquestionfromEllwood)tobeginParadiseRegained.Thecottagewasprobablybuiltinthe
latesixteenthcentury,andhasaninterestinghistory–itisnowamuseum,containingthefirst
editionofParadiseLost.Incidentally,Miltonwashimselfakeenwalker.Milton'sCottage
(tel.01494-872313)isopenfromMarch1sttoOctober31st,2pmto5pm,Wednesdayto
Saturday(plusBankHolidaySundayandMonday,andthe4thSundayinthecalendarmonth),
admission(2017)£7.
TheFriendsMeetingHousewasbuiltwithinthegroundsofOldJordansFarmin1688
(TheFarmwassoldtoaprivateownerin2006).TheMeetingHousewasthefirsttobeerected
followingJamesII’sDeclarationofIndulgencewhichgavetheSocietyofFriendsthefree​domto
congregate.WilliamPennisburiednexttotheMeetingHouse,alongwithhiswivesGulielma
andHannah,andtenoftheirsixteenchildren.PennfoundedPennsylvania,theonlyexample
ofastatewithoutamilitarypresence,withnoreligiousoraristocraticgroupincontrol,and
whereIndianswerefairlytreated.AsVoltairecommented:“WilliamPenncouldboastofhaving
broughtforthonthisearththeGoldenAge”.
TheMeetingHousesufferedfromamajorfirein2005andfollowingalengthyperiodduring
whichrestorationtookplace,itreopenedforitsfirstmeetinginSeptember2008.Itisopento
thepublicdaily,2pmto5pmbetweenMarch1standOctober31st.Admissionisfree,although
donationsarewelcomed.
TheburialgroundatJordanshasseveralhundredmoreburialsthanthereareheadstones,
thereasonbeingthatforahundredyears,from1766,theQuakersbelievedthatevena
simpleheadstonewithinscriptionwastooostentatious.
Onthesouthsideofthefarmbuildingisalargewoodenbarn,whichisreputedtobe
constructedfromthetimbersoftheMayflower,theshipofthePilgrimFathers–thosePuritan
pilgrimswhoinNewEnglandpersecutedtheQuakers,hadtheirearscutoffandflogged,
brandedandexecutedthem.
Travel
Takethetrainnearestto9.30amfromMaryleboneStationtoBeaconsfield.Insummeryou
cantakeatrainuptoanhourlater.Journeytime30-40minutes.Thereareaboutthreetrains
anhourbackfromBeaconsfield.
HodgemoorWoodshasacarpark.
Lunch
YouhaveagoodchoiceoflunchstopsinthevillageofChalfontStGiles.
ThesuggestedlunchplaceisMerlinsCavepub(tel.01494875101),atthelower,eastern
endofthevillage,bythevillagegreen.Thispubismuchimprovedsinceitsrecent
refurbishmentandthechoiceofmealsisnowmoreextensivethanbefore,servedbetween
middayand3pm.OnSundaysitoftenhasajazzclubinoneofitsoutbuildings.Afewdoors
awayfromMerlinsCaveisTheDeliontheGreen(tel.01494-875797)whichserves
excellentsandwichesanddelifaretoeatinortakeaway.
OntheothersideofthevillagegreenisTheStonePlaceRestaurantattheFeathers
(formerlytheFeatherspub)(tel.01494875007)servesbarsnacksandlightlunchesbetween
middayand3pm.WhatwastheCrownpub,nextdoortotheFeathers,isnowaCostaCoffee.
Milton’sHeadpub(tel.01494875856)isnowanItalianrestaurant,servingItaliandishes
betweenmiddayand2.30pmMondaytoSaturday,andtraditionalBritishroastsbetween
middayand3pmonSundays.IndividualwalkersorpairsofwalkerscantrytheFox&Hounds
pub(tel.01494872151)onSilverHill,whichserveslunch–lightfareandmainmeals-from
12middayto2pmallweek:this350yearoldtraditionalcountrypubdoesnotwelcomegroups
ofwalkers.
Tea
TheearlyteastopinJordansattheformerQuakerGuestHousenolongerexists,althoughthe
VillageStoreinJordans,whenopen,doesservehotdrinksandcoldsnacks.
ForteainBeaconsfield,thechoicesare:Jungs,acontinentalbakeryandpatisserieat6The
Broadway,justpasttheWaitrosesupermarket,some100metresnorthoftherailwaybridge:
LaCape,justbeforetherailwaybridge,openuntil5pm,MondaytoSaturday,andCosta
CoffeeinStationRoad.
WhatwasBarMedinMaxwellRoadasyouenterBeaconsfieldisnowcalledRevolution.
Updates
Onlineversionrecommended(manysmallupdates).
OldJordansQuakerGuestHouse(teastopmentionedinthebooks)andtheMayflowerBarn
areclosed(theyweresoldtodevelopers).
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Afterthewalk,wewouldlovetogetyourfeedback
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Version
Mar-17
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WalkDirections
The[numbers]refertoasketchmapwhichisonlyinthebook.
1. [1]Fromplatform2crossoverthefootbridgetoplatform1andexitBeaconsfieldRailwayStation
throughtheticketbarriers.Takethesurfacedfootpathopposite(afewmetrestoyourleft),uphill,and
sign​postedModelVillage.Atthetopofthisfootpathin100metres,carrystraightonalongCaledon
Close.In40metrestaketheroadtotheleft–StMichael’sGreen–yourdirection345°.
2. In100metresyoupasstheParishChurchofStMichaelandAllAngelsonyourright-handside.
ForBekonscotModelVillageandRailwaytaketheroadtoyourleft,followingthesigntotheModel
Village.Tocontinuethemainwalk,followtheroadasitbendsroundtotherightintoGrenfellRoad.
3. In300metres–and10metresbeforetheroadcurvesroundtotherightintoWiltonRoad–turnleft
intoaroadwhichhasnostreetsign(butalsoWiltonRoad),yourdirection350°.
4. [2]In120metresyoucometotheendofwhatyoucannowseeisWiltonRoad,andtoatrafficisland
plantedwithtreesandbushes.Goroundtheleftofthisisland,straightoverthemainroad(slightly
totheright)anddowntheenclosedpublicfootpathdeadahead,withLedboroughLaneelectricity
substationonyourleft,yourdirection20°initially.
5. Ignorewaysoffandkeepstraightahead,initiallybetweenbackgardens.In325metresthegardens
endonyourright.Bearleftwiththepath,yourdirection5°,withawoodenfenceonyourleftanda
woodedareanowonyourright.
6. In350metres[!]ignoreafootpathtoyourright,markedbyafootpathpost,andkeepahead(slightly
toyourleft),yourdirection300°,thewoodenfencestillonyourleft
7. In75metresthefenceonyourleftturnsleft.[!]8metresbeyondthis,atafootpathpost,takethe
right-handfork,ahead,yourdirection345°,intothewood(notthe90°rightturn).Keeptothispath
and,in260metres,byapostwithyellowarrows,ignorethepathsyoucrosstocontinuestraight
on,alongthesamepath,duenorth.
8. 320metresfurtheron,youcometoafootpathpostwithayellowarrowpointingaheadwhereanother
pathcrossesthepathyouareon.Atthisjuncture,thereisasinglewhitearrowonatreepointing
straightahead.Continuestraighton,foranother20metres,untilyoucometoanothertreewitha
whitearrowpointingleftandright,andhere[!]turnrightoffthepath,yourdirection70°initially
[3].
9. In25metres,bearrightonamainpathandkeeptoit,ignoringwaysoff,forthenext500metres,
initiallygraduallyuphill,followingfootpathposts.In500metres[!]abroadpathjoinsfromtheleftand
youswingright,nowclosetothewoodboundaryonyourright.Yousoonbearlefttogodownand
upadip,toreachatreewithanarrowpointingright.HereTurnright,yourdirection115°andfollow
thepathwithafieldovertoyourleft.In100metresyouhaveawoodenslatfenceinfrontofahigh
boardedfenceonyourright-handside.
10. In200metresthepathexitsontoalanewithathree-armedfootpathsignonyourleftandWood
Cottageovertoyourright.
11. Keepaheadonthelaneandfollowitdownhill.In750metresyoucomeoutontoaroad(theA355)
withfast-movingtraffic.Crossthisroadwithcareandwalkstraightaheadalongthecar-widetrack
aheadofyou,yourdirection125°.In125metresignoretheforklefttoametalfieldgateandswing
rightwiththetrack,downhill,initiallyinashallowcutting.
12. In300metres,ignoreastileonyourleftatacrossroads,byafour-wayfootpathsign,andkeep
straightahead,onthesametrack,nowgoingupahill,yourdirectioneast.200metresbringsyou
outtothetopofthishill,withviewsthroughgatestoleftandright.Justfollowthepathbetween
hedgerowsandunderneathoverheadcables.Thispathhasatendencytobecomeovergrowninhigh
summer.
13. In200metresthepathbringsyoudownontoaroad[4]whereyouturnleft,yourdirection40°,and
walkalongtheroad.In250metrestheroadcurvessharplyroundtotherightandyouturnleftoffthe
road,togostraightahead.
14. In10metresyoupassabarrierandenterHodgemoorWoods.In40metresatWidmerCorner
footpathpostignoreaturntotheleftandkeepahead,yourdirection20°initially.Keeptothis
bridlewayandatthefirstjunction,in140metres,asthebridlewayswingstotheright,leaveitand
taketheleftfork,moreorlessstraighton,yourdirectionduenorth.
15. In250metrescrossamainhorse-ridingtrackandkeepahead,nowbackonabridleway.In50metres
youpassacrateronyourright.Inafurther110metres,uphill,youcometoaT-junctionwithwhat
oncewasacorrugatedbarndeadahead(allthatnowremainsisitsslabandfoundations).Hereyou
turnright.In30metres,walkpasttheentrancegatetotheformerbarnonyourleft.25metres
beyondthat,therearetwopathsgoingofftotheright.
16. [!]Itiseasytogetlostduringthenext500metresorso,sopleasefollowthesedirections
carefully,andhaveacompasstohand.Takethefirstpathsharplytotheright,signedbyanohorsessymbolonawhite-toppedpost,upintothetrees,yourdirection140°initially.Thispathsoon
becomesacar-widetrack.
17. In70metreskeepaheadatapathcrossing.Inafurther80metres,bearrightwiththetrack,now
duesouth,throughapotentiallymuddystretch.
18. In75metres,bearleftonthetrackthroughagrassierarea,yourdirectionnow110°.In80metres
youcomeouttoapathjunction.[!]Turnleftontothegraveltrack,yourdirection80°.In25metres
youpassonyourleft-handsideapermittedhorse-ridingpost.Continueahead,soongentlydownhill
19. In120metresyoucometoapathcrossingwithapermittedhorse-ridingpostonyourleftandano
ridingpostonyourright,markingapathtotheright.Herekeepahead,yourdirection50°.
20. In80metresyoupassanotherpermittedhorse-ridingpostonyourleftandinafurther5metres,ata
pathcrossing[!]turnright,yourdirection100°,slightlydownhill.In20metresyoupassapermitted
horse-ridingpostonyourleftandinafurther15metres,ataT-junction,[!]goleft,yourdirection10°,
andimmediatelyin3metres,[!]goright,onabridleway,whichisinitiallynarrowbutsoonwidensas
youheaddownhill,yourdirection120°.
21. Keeptothisbridleway,downhill,ignoringallwaysoff.In175metresapathjoinsfromyourright,with
apermittedridingpostonyourleftandanoridingpostonyourright.Thetrackswingsleftandina
further140metres,asthebridlewaycurvessharplyaroundtotheleftuphill,youfollowthenarrower
pathcurvingofftoyourright,yourdirection140°initially.
22. Ignorewaysoffand,in130metres,youcometoaT-junctionneartotheedgeofthewood,andyou
turnleftalongthepathasitfollowsthetreeline,yourdirection50°initially.
23. [5]In5metresignoreaforkright.Inafurther30metres,turnrightthroughthetrees,withanopen
fieldvisibleahead.Thistakesyououtofthewood,aroundawoodenbarrier,ontoacar-wideearth
track,whereyouturnleft,gentlyuphill,withtheedgeofthewoodonyourleft-handside,andapost
andwirefencetotheopenfieldonyourright,yourdirection20°.
24. In175metresthetracklevelsoutandoppositeametalfarmgate,itswingsleft,thenright,your
directionnow45°.Inafurther100metres,wherethetrackswingsleft,keepaheadtogothrougha
woodenbarrier.Nowturnrightdowntheleft-handsideofthefield,yourdirection120°.
25. Atthebottomofthefield,in300metres,ignorethestileintheleft-handcornerwithafootpathgoing
offtotheleft,andinstead,turnright,yourdirectionnow190°.Continuealongthebottomedgeof
thefieldfor40metresandgothroughagapinthehedgeintothenextfield,withafenceonyour
right-handsideandahedgeandtreelineonyourleft.
26. Continuealongtheleft-handedgeofthisfield,yourdirection175°.In150metresgothroughafield
boundaryandkeepaheadonthisgrassypath,stillfollowingtheleft-handedgeofthisfield.
27. In350metresatthefarleft-handcornerofthefield,turnleftthroughametalkissinggate,tofollow
thefenced-inpath.In150metresyoucomeoutbesideametalfieldgateontothecornerofa
residentialstreet.Turnrightupthisstreet(BackLane)andin50metresyoucometoaT-junction
withthemainroad,atThreeHouseholds,whereyouturnleft.(TheWhiteHartInnisonyourright
atthisjunction).
28. Carryondownthisroad(DeanWay)intoChalfontStGiles.In400metresyoupasstheMilton’s
HeadpubandItalianrestaurantonyourleft.90metresbeyondthispub,ontheothersideoftheroad,
isMilton’sCottage–amuseumwellworthvisitingiftimepermits.KeepondownDeanWayandina
further250metresyoupassTheStonePlaceRestaurantattheFeathersonyourleft-handside.
AlmostnextdoorisCostaCoffee(formerlytheCrownpub).Inafurther75metres,ontheothersideof
theroad,acrosstheVillageGreen,isMerlinsCavepub,yoursuggestedlunchtimestop.Afewdoors
awaytothepub'srightisTheDeliontheGreen.IfmakingfortheFox&Houndspub,takethe
roadnexttoCostaCoffee,uphillfor125metres:thepubisonyourright-handside.
29. Afterlunch,comingoutofMerlinsCave,turnleft.OppositeCostaCoffee,[!]turnleftthroughthe
beamedarchway,leadingtothe(sometimeslocked)ParishChurchofChalfontStGiles.Followthe
footpathwhichgoesalongtheright-handsideofthelychgate,alongmetalrailingsborderingthe
churchyard,yourdirection120°.
30.
The“viaChilternOpenAirMuseum”Optionstartshere.
31. Tocontinuethemainwalk.Thepathswingsrightthenleftandin130metresbringsyoudowntoa
bridgewithmetalrailingsgoingoverthedried-outriverbed.[!]5metresbeforethisbridge,turnright
andheadhalf-rightonapathbesidearesidentialestateonyourright,yourdirection230°.
32. In60metresthispathswingsleft,awayfromtheestate,yourdirectionnow165°initially,and
continueaheadnowbetweenlinesoftrees.
33. In135metresgothroughametalkissinggateandcontinueinthesamedirectionasbefore,nowwith
anopenfieldonyourright.In200metresgothroughanothermetalkissinggateandcontinuestraight
on.
34. Thepathleadsoutintoanopenfield.Youarenowgoingtowalksouthforthenext1.5km,througha
seriesoffivefields,keepingtotheleft-handedgeofeachfieldinturn.Thispathgenerallyfollowsthe
35.
36.
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38.
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42.
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44.
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48.
49.
routetakenbytheRiverMisbournebeforeitdriedupcompletelyduetoover-extractionofwater
fromthevalley.
Inmoredetail:Followthepathalongthefield’sleft-handedge.In80metresignoreastileonyourleft.
In275metres,ignoreafarmgate,thenastileandanotherfarmgateonyourleft,butkeepahead
closetotheleft-handedgeofthisfield.In60metresyoucometoametalswinggateinthefarlefthandcornerofthefieldandpassthrough,tocontinuealongtheleft-handedgeofthenextfield.
Onyourrightisahorsegallops,withatarmacbasecoveredattimeswithasandbed,3metreswide,
betweennewfences.
In300metresyoupassarowoftreesgoinguphilltoyourright,ontheothersideofthegallops.
Continueoninthesamedirectionalongtheleft-handedgeofthefieldonagrassypath.In150metres
crossagrassytrackwithametalfarmgatetoyourleftandapairofwoodengatesgivingaccessto
thegallopsonyourright.
In200metresyoucometothefarleft-handcornerofthisfield,togothroughagapintothenextfield,
tocontinueahead,withtheleft-handedgeofthisfieldovertoyourleft,followingthegallopsoverto
yourright.
In250metresignoreawoodenkissinggateonyourleft.Inafurther80metresgothroughametal
swinggate,thenimmediatelyametalkissinggate,intothenextfield,tocontinuealongtheleft-hand
edgeofthisfield,inthesamedirectionasbefore.
In70metrespassthroughametalkissinggateandkeepahead,aimingfortheleftofthetwometal
kissinggatessome20metresapartintheboundaryfencedirectlyahead.In120metresgothrough
theleftofthetwogatesandtakethewell-definedpathahead,betweentreestoleftandright,your
direction190°initially.
In200metres,thetreesontherightpeteroutandthepathisborderedbyawoodenfenceonyour
right-handside.Inanother130metresgothroughametalkissinggateintoalightlywoodedareaand,
in5metres,thepathaheadforks.[!]Taketheright-handforkwhichmeanderspastChalfontSt
GilesTennisClubonyourleft-handside,yourinitialdirection200°.
In140metresyoucomeoutfromthelightlywoodedareaintoplayingfields.Continuealongtherighthandedgeoftheplayingfieldsonanindistinctpath,passingapavilionstructureonyourright.50
metrespastthepavilion[!][6]turnright,upafenced-infootpathbetweenhouses,yourdirection
250°.70metresbringsyouuptoaroad.GostraightaheaduphillalongBoundaryRoad.
In200metres,wheretheroadbecomesLovelEnd,continuestraightonupthehill.In250metres,
havingpassedChalfontStPeterInfantSchoolonyourright,LovelEndcurvesofftotheleft.Justbefore
thecul-de-sacdeadahead,youturnrightdownafootpath,whichgoesbetweentheschoolandthe
houses,yourdirection345°.Thisissignedasapublicfootpathandthereisa“Nocycling”sign.
In60metresthepathswingsleft.Inanother250metresyoucomeouttoamainroad.Gostraight
acrossthisroadintowoodsonthefarside,andwalkdeadaheadthroughthetreesintothegroundsof
ChalfontGrove.
30metresintothewoodyoukeepahead,yourdirection275°,eitheronthenarrowpathwhich
followsthechainlinkfenceonyourrightoralongthebroadertrack,5metrestoitsleft:bothways
eventuallyconverge.
In400metresyoucometoafadedsilver-paintedmetalfieldgate,nowoffitshinges.Turnhalfright
throughthisgapandbearaquarter-leftacrossthegrass,yourdirection300°.In80metresyoupass
betweentwolargelimetreeswhoselowerbrancheslookasthoughthey’vebeenfilledupwithtwigs
forsomeenormousbird’snest.
In100metrespassthroughagapintreesandin20metresfollowthedirectionofthefootpathpost
intothetrees,yourdirection305°.In110metresignoreawoodenkissinggatedirectlyaheadofyou
andbearleftonabroadpathnowbetweenfences,yourdirection265°.
In140metresyoucomeoutontoasurfacedtrack.[7].
Atthispointthereisashortcutwhichsaves750metresofroadwalking,butbypassestheFriends
MeetingHouse.Totaketheshortcut,crossoverthesurfacedtrackandinsteadofturningleft,go
throughthewoodenkissinggateahead.Keepahead,passingalargeelectricitypylon
immediatelytoyourleft,acrossafieldinawesterlydirection.Keepclosetotheright-hand
boundaryofthisfieldandin225metres,headforastile,parthidden,intheright-handcornerof
thisfield.Gooverthisstileandkeepahead,nowbesideawoodenfenceonyourright,your
direction260°,withalargefieldtoyourleft.In250metres,skirtleftaroundtreesandbushes,and
keepahead.In100metrescrossastileandkeepahead,nowalongafenced-inpath,yourdirection
280°.In380metresgothroughawoodenkissinggateandcomeoutontotheroadoppositeSeer
GreenLane,atpoint[8A]below](IfyouwishtovisittheFriend’sMeetingHouse,turnleftdownthe
road,afterwardsretracingyourstepstothispoint).
50. Buttocontinueonthemainroute,turnleft,duesouth,downthiscar-widetrack,followingthe
directionofoverheadcablesonyourright-handside.
51. Continuedownthecar-widetrackandin450metresyoucomeouttoaroad,bytheentrancetoGrove
Farm.Turnrightalongtheroad,yourdirection285°.
52. In450metresyoupassWeldersHouseandGateHouseonyourleft-handside.300metresbeyond
thatyoucomedownalmosttotheendoftheroad,whereonyourrightistheFriendsMeeting
House(whichiswellworthvisiting).
53. [8]AftervisitingtheMeetingHouse,comeoutofitsentrance,turnrightarounditsfrontandturnright
again,alongtheleft-handsideofHouse,uphillintotheQuakerBurialGround,yourdirection10°.
Walkthroughtheburialgroundandin115metres,youcometoanewpathdiversion(asaresultof
thesaleoftheGuestHouseandMayfairBarntoaprivateowner).Gothroughthewoodengateand
turnleftdownthepath,followingthesigntoJordansVillage,withahightimberfenceonyourright.
In50metresthepathswingsrightandcontinueswiththeroadbelowandparalleltoyou.In85
metresthepathendsandyoupassthroughawoodenswinggatetocomeoutontotheroad.
54. Continueuptheroadandin30metresyoupasstheentrancetowhatwastheJordansQuakerGuest
HouseandtheentrancetotheMayflowerBarn.Keeponuptheroadforabout100metresuntilyou
reachtheroadjunctionwithSeerGreenLane.[8A]Turnleftdownthislane.
55. GodownSeerGreenLane,followingthesigntoJordansVillage.
56. In30metresyoupassahousecalledOneAshonyourleft.Keepaheadandignorewaysoff.In170
metres,attheendofthevillagegreen,wheretheroadcurvesaroundtotheright,continuestraighton
downtheroaddeadahead,yourdirectioninitially300°.
57.
[!]Note:tovisitJordans’VillageStoreandPostOffice,bearrightwiththeroadattheendofthe
villagegreen,downGreenWestRoadfor80metres–thestoreisonyourleft-handside.
58. Continuingwiththemainroute:170metresdownthisroadyoucometoajunctionwithCopseLane
[9]
59.
[*]IfyouwanttocatchthetrainbackfromSeerGreen&JordansStation,turnleftdownthehill
andfollowtheroadfor650metresfortherailwaystation.
60. TocontinuetheloopbacktoBeaconsfield,crossstraightoverontoacar-widetrackgoingsteeply
downhill,deadahead.115metresbringsyoutothebottomofthehill,whereanotherpathcrosses
yourpath.Continuestraighton,followingthepublicfootpathsign,throughthemetalrailings,ona
pathuphill,betweenhedges.In110metresgothroughasecondsetofmetalrailings,andstraighton
asthepathleadsyouthroughsometrees.
61. Ignorewaysoffasyoukeepahead,withwoodsonyourleftandfieldsovertoyourright.In400metres
thepathbringsyououtontoacar-widetrack.Hereturnleftalongthistrack,yourdirection265°
initially.In50metresyoupasstheentrancetoHallPlaceonyourleft-handside.30metresfurtheron,
youcomeouttotheroadsideinthevillageofSeerGreen,oppositetheParishChurchHall.Turnleft
intoSchoolLane,yourdirection210°.
62. In150metresyoupassStableLaneonyourright.In130metresyouwalkpasttheentrancetoSeer
GreenCECombinedSchool,whichisonyourright-handside.20metresfurtheron[!][10]turnright
offtheroad,yourdirection215°,downthefootpathgoingtotheleftofVicarageClose.In180
metres,crossstraightoveraresidentialstreet,continuingonthefootpathontheotherside.30metres
downthetarmacpathgoingstraightdownthehill,[!]takethepathgoingofftotheright,your
direction245°initially.185metresbringsyoudowntothemainroad,alongsideWeatheringHouseon
yourright-handside.
63. Crossthisbusyroadtogostraighton,throughametalkissinggate,intotrees,yourdirection245°,in
40metrescomingoutontoagolfcourse.Followthedirectionofthepublicfootpathsign.(Notethe
warningabout“flyinggolfballs”–keepwatchingthedirectionofplay).Headhalf-rightacrossthe
fairway,towardsthegreen-and-whitestripedpolewhichmarksthecontinuationofthefootpath,your
direction225°.Whenyoureachthispole,gostraightontowardsthefootpathsigndeadahead.In70
metresfollowthedirectionofthissignandturnrightalongthesideofafencewhichbordersthe
railwayonyourleft,yourdirection310°,alongtheleft-handedgeofthegolfcourse.
64. [11]In500metresyoucometoanotherpublicfootpathsign,thistimepointingleft,andyoufollow
thepathleft,overthebridgeacrosstherailwaytrack.Overthebridge,therearethreepaths[!]and
youtaketherightmostpath,whichissignpostedpublicfootpath,yourdirection250°.Walkthrough
awoodedareaandin60metresyoucomeoutontothegolfcourseagain.
65. Walkstraightacrossthegolfcourseforthenext500metres,followingthedirectionsandthegreenand-whitestripedpoles,crossingfairwaysandgoingthroughwoodedareas.
66. Attheedgeofthegolfcourse,exitthroughawoodedstripandin20metrescrossastiletocomeout
intoafield.Gostraightaheadacrossthisfieldtowardsthefarsideonadistinctpathbetweenpost
andmeshfences,yourdirection245°.400metresbringsyoutothefarsideofthefieldandoutonto
theA355.Crossthisbusyroadatthetrafficisland,slightlytoyourleft,andgoupRonaldRoad,
straightahead.ThisleadsintoFernhurstClose.
67. In240metresthereisaparkingareainthesemicircleofhousesontheright,andyoucontinue
straightondowntheroad.90metresbringsyoudowntothebottomofCandlemasMead,andyou
continueslightlyleft,yourdirection280°.
68. In150metres,theroadcurvessharplyroundtotheleft.(IfyouareinterestedinvisitingtheOldTown
ofBeaconsfield,followtheroadroundtotheleft,turnrightatthefirstT-junctionandleftatthesecond
one,whichtakesyouontotheroadlinkingtheOldandNewTowns.)
69.
Togodirectlytothesuggestedteastopsandrailwaystation,turnrighthere,passthrougha
metalbarrierandgodownthefootpathwhichtakesyoubetweenhouses,yourdirection10°.
70. Havingtakenthisrightturn,in80metresyoucomeoutontoaroad,whichyoucrossovertowalk
straightaheadalongtheleft-handsideofthegreen.170metresbringsyoutothebottomof
ChestertonGreen,whereyouturnleftintoMaxwellRoad,yourdirection280°.
71. In200metresyoupassSainsbury’sonyourleft-handsideandRevolution(formerlyBarMed)onyour
right–arefreshmentsoption.
72. In100metresyoucometotheroadjunctionwithStationRoad,whereyouturnright.Passtwominiroundabouts–CostaCoffeeisbetweenthemonyourleft-handside,andcontinuealongStation
Road,yourdirection340°.In60metresyoupassTheCapecaféonyourleft-handside.
73. Crosstherailwaybridge.IfheadingforJungspatisserie,keepahead,crossovertheroundabout,pass
Waitroseonyourright-handsideandyoucometoJungsintheparadeofshopsonyourright.If
headingfortherailwaystation,onceovertherailwaybridgeturnrightdowntheroadtoBeaconsfield
RailwayStation.Thenearsideplatform,platform1,isfortrainsbacktoLondon.
The“ViaChilternOpenAirMuseum”Option
74. Thepathswingsrightthenleftandin130metresbringsyoudowntoaconcretebridgewithmetal
railingsgoingoverthedried-outbedoftheRiverMisbourne.
75. Crossthebridgeandcontinuestraightonalongthelefthandedgeofthefield.In200metresexitthe
fieldbywayofaearthpathborderedwithwoodenfencingwhichrunsbetweenthegardensoftwo
houses.
76. In110metresitemergesontoabusyroad.Crossthisandgostraightaheadonasign-postedfootpath
oppositethatruns,betweenfences,totherightofahousecalled“TheEdge”.
77. In350metres,attheendofagreenchainlinkfenceonyourright,thepathforks.Takethelefthand
forkwhichismarkedbya“ChilternWay”waymarkonapost.
78. In40metrespassthroughakissinggatetoenterafieldwithahawthornhedge(whichformsthe
boundaryofthehousesbehind)onyourlefthandside.Followaclearpathalongsidethishedgefor25
metresandthencontinueinthesamedirection(60°)diagonallyacrossthefieldtoakissinggatein
thehedgeonthefarsideofthefield,200metresaway.Passthroughthisintothenextfieldand,
continuinginthesamedirectionasbefore,headforanotherkissinggate100metresawayinthe
cornerofthefield.
79. Gothoughthekissinggateandanotherdirectlyoppositetocontinuedownafootpathbetweena
hedgeonyourrighthandsideandbarbedwirefenceonyourleft.
80. In120metresleavethepathbyawoodengateandcrossaroadtogodownasign-postedbridleway
oppositewhichrunswithinanarrowbeltoftrees,yourdirection60°.
81. Stayonthisbridlewayfor530metresuntilyoureachanotherroad.Crossthis,passingalodgeon
yourleft.Hereyouhaveachoice.
82.
TovisittheChilternOpenAirMuseum:Continuestraightaheaddownthetarmacaccessroad
thatleadstothemuseum.In200metres,justbeforeyoureachabarrieracrosstheaccessroad,
turnlefttopassthroughdoublewoodengatesintothemuseumcarpark.Oncethroughthegates
followtheearthroadroundtoyourrightwhichwillleadyou,inabout100metres,totheentrance
building.Whenyouleavethemuseum,retraceyourstepsthroughthecarpark,passbackthrough
thedoublegatesandturnrightontotheaccessroad.In190metres,justafterasignsupportedon
tworedposts,andabout30metresbeforethelodge,turnrightandcrossthewidegrassvergeto
astileinthewoodenfence.
83.
Tocontinuethemainwalk:Turnleftjustafteryouhavepassedthelodge,crossthevergeto
thestileinthewoodenfence
84. Crossthestileandfollowaclearpathinthegrasstowardsthelefthandedgeofthefield,your
direction190°.In130metresthepathcurvestotheleftandthencontinuesalongthelefthandedge
ofthefield.In520metresyouwillcometoastilewitha“ChilternWay”waymarkinthecornerofthe
field.Crossthisandcontinuealongafencedpaththroughawood.
85. In230metres,wherethepathsplits,taketherighthandforkmarkedbyawhite“CW”andarrowon
atree,followingthelineoftheratherdilapidatedboundaryfenceonyourrighthandside.In300
metresyouwillcometoawoodenfenceatthepathsjunctionwithacarwidebridleway.Passthrough
thegapinthefenceandturnleftontothebridleway,headinguphillalongthelefthandedgeofthe
wood.
86.
Itisnowastraight2.5kmwalktothecentreofChorleywoodalongaroutethatmarkstheold
boundarybetweenHertfordshireandBuckinghamshire,initiallyalongthebridleway,thenona
metalledlaneandfinallyonaroadthatleadsdownhillintothetown.Butinmoredetail…
87. In850metresthewoodonyourleftcomestoanendjustbeforeanopenfrontedbarn.Inafurther75
metresignoreasign-postedbridlewaytotherighttocontinuealongwhatisnowametalledlane(Old
ShireLane)withfieldsonthelefthandsideandlargedetachedhousesontheright.
88. In575metresthelanecomestoanendatjunctionwitharoad(ShireLane).Crosstheroadand
continueinthesamedirectionasyouhavebeenwalking,nowheadingdownhill.In150metresyou
passasign-postedturningtoLittleChalfont:30metresbeyondthis,bytheentranceto“Hollybank”*,
crosstheroadandturnrightintoaresidentialaccessroadthatrunsparalleltothemainroad,
separatedfromitbyanarrowbeltoftrees.
89.
*“Hollybank”wasdesignedbytheArtsandCraftarchitectCharlesVoysey.“TheOrchard”,the
similarlystyledhousethathedesignedforhimself(andwhichfeaturedinMetro-Land-John
Betjeman’s1970sdocumentaryeulogytothepeopleandplacesservedbytheMetropolitanLine),
is100metresfurtherdownthehill.VoyseyalsohadahandindesigningStJohnFishercatholic
churchtowardsthebottomofShireLane.
90. Walkdownthisroadfor800metresuntilyoureachthebottomofthehillbythestartofaparadeof
shopsonyourleft.Astheroadthatyouareonturnslefttoservetheshops,continuestraightahead
tocrossWhitelandsAvenue,aimingforS&SNewsagentsonthecorner.
91. Ifyouwanttogodirectlytothetubestation,gorightheretocrossShireLanebythezebracrossing
andthenturnlefttowalkundertherailwaybridge.Ontheothersideofthebridgefollowtheroad
roundtotherighttoheaduphill-withtherailwayembankmenttoyourright-tothestationwhichis
200metresaway.
92. ForteaturnleftatthenewsagentsforeitherMorgansDeli(whichisnextdoor)orRootzwhichis
furtheralongtheshortparadeofshops.Ifneitherisopen,trythePeppermillintheparadeofshops
ontheothersideofWhitelandsAvenue,directlyoppositeRootz.
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