This easy- going 2 1/4 mile, stile free walk takes you alongside the River Chess to the picturesque village of Latimer. You will then cross the river and head up into the woods on the other side of the valley, from where there is a pleasant walk back to Chenies, with views across to Latimer and returning past Chenies Manor House.

Start: Chenies Village Green. Park around the village green. Chalfont and Latimer Station is about ½ mile from the nearest point on the walk. The walk can also be started at Westwood Park where there is plenty of parking at the Recreation Ground.

Refreshments: The Bedford Arms and the Red Lion pubs in Chenies.

Route:

From Chenies village green     follow the road down the hill. Just past a cottage on your left take the path up the bank, which cuts out a road loop; follow the path (ignoring a right turn) until you meet the road again. Cross over with care (watch out for traffic on your right), turn left and, after about 50 metres, turn right down Mill Lane and over the bridge past the former mill on your right. Cross another bridge over the River Chess, then turn left by Mill Farm and onto a riverside path (the Chess Valley Walk and Chiltern Heritage Trail). Follow the riverside path, ignoring paths off to your right. On your left, you will see a brick tomb to a local brick maker William Liberty who died in 1777.

Pass through a large water meadow, finally reaching the road to Latimer village. At this point you may wish to turn right along the road for a short detour to see the picturesque old buildings that make up Latimer village. Cross the road with care and follow a footpath which climbs uphill across the meadow (fine views down to a lake on your left), to a minor road where you turn left. Walk down the road and cross over the bridge, with the Neptune waterfall on your right, and cross a paddock to a gate by a road. Cross the road and follow the path towards a wood. On reaching the wood, ignore a footpath on the right, instead follow the broad main path left through an avenue of trees. At the top turn sharp left along a bridleway which runs along the top edge of the wood and eventually brings you out to a minor road (Stony Lane).

Turn right along the lane for a few metres then left along a bridleway, first through a wood and then along the top of a field with views to Latimer village and the Chess valley on your left. When the path splits, continue along the bridleway by a house on your right. At the end of the bridleway go through a black estate gate and turn right along a driveway, then shortly left on a crossing footpath signed to Chenies village. Follow this past the manor house and gardens on your left. On reaching the road by Chenies school, continue straight on to the village green.

This walk is one of a series produced by the Chilterns Conservation Board. You can download the route in more detail from www.chilternsaonb.org.