New social-distance friendly walks launched in the Chilterns

• The Chilterns Conservation Board and Chiltern Society have developed a series of 23 walks across the Chilterns which are social-distance friendly, avoiding crowded ‘honey-pot’ locations and narrow paths where possible.
• Between 2 and 6 miles long, the walks start in market towns or villages, with good public transport links or parking facilities, and are being launched to coincide with the re-opening of many pubs and cafes.

The Chilterns has some outstanding food and drink producers and these walks highlight the many farm shops nearby that are open for business and selling Chilterns local specialities to enjoy on a picnic, or to take home – everything from local honey, beer, cheeses, charcuterie, grass fed lamb and much more.

The walks were developed by 18 volunteers, all experienced walk leaders who are passionate about the Chilterns and keen to share some of their favourite walks away from the crowds.

All the routes take in the beautiful rolling landscapes of the Chilterns, picturesque villages, and plenty of historic interest too, from old drovers routes to iron age hillforts. Discover places with wonderful names like Nanfan Wood, Lilley Hoe and Cobblershill. And some walks start on commons or at recreation grounds with lots of open space, so ideal for families or friends to combine with a picnic and for kids to run around safely.

Annette Venters of the Chilterns Conservation Board said: ‘During Lockdown the Chilterns countryside has been used and enjoyed as never before, bringing comfort and joy to many. The well-used honey-pot sites can get very crowded, making social distancing difficult and putting pressure on the landscape. Luckily, the Chilterns has over 2,000km of footpaths, so there are plenty of quiet places to enjoy. We hope these walks will encourage people to explore the Chilterns and discover new place.’

Many of the walks are stile-free and most are under 4 miles long, making them accessible to many. Whilst we want more people to enjoy the benefits of walking in the Chilterns, we ask them to do this safely and responsibly by, for example, taking litter home, not lighting fires and barbecues, and keeping dogs under control. See website for further guidance.

Here is a taster of some of the walks:

• Pub walks from Great Offley and Pegsdon in the northern Chilterns. The Pegdson walk passes through Knocking Hoe and Hoo Bit nature reserves with outstanding views and witchcraft-sounding plant names like fleawort, eyebright and harebells.
• Many of the walks take in famous TV and film locations. The Hound of the Baskervilles walk from Binfield Heath takes in the historic Crowsley Park.
• There are walks through historic parks, nature reserves, drovers routes, stretches of the Ridgeway National Trail, past churches, iron age hillforts, Hellfire Caves and Berkhamsted Castle.
• Le De Spencer Arms on Downley Common, the Red Lion on Peppard Common and the Cock and Rabbit on Lee Common are just some of the wonderful country pubs along the routes.

The walks can be downloaded free of charge, see https://bit.ly/2AyCFBP  for further information and chilternsociety.org.uk/free-walks-leaflets for other walks in the Chilterns.