A varied walk through rolling Chilterns countryside and the Mapledurham estate. The route takes you through woodlands and open countryside with some wonderful views over the River Thames. Mapledurham House and Watermill are situated by the River Thames.

Distance: 4.1miles

Start: There is parking at the Mapledurham playing fields just off the Woodcote Road (A4074).

Access Information: This is an undulating walk with some good views. There is a steep section which can be slippery at times through Park Wood just before you arrive at the meadow

Refreshments:  The Pack Saddle bar and restaurant at Chazey Heath, Tel 0118 9463000 www.thepacksaddle.com

Route:

Exit from the Playing Fields, turn left along the Woodcote Road and take the third turning left along the track opposite Crispin Close. Continue along this to a kissing gate at the edge of the golf course. Walk across the field to another kissing gate, just after the kissing gate turn right into Jackson’s Lane (an unsurfaced track).

Walk along this for about 100 yards then turn left onto an estate road. Continue for 100 yards and take a footpath to the right along the side of the golf course.

Continue down and up a bit until a footpath is reached on the left. Turn left onto this path and continue past Rose Farm until a junction of roads is reached. Go through the kissing gate directly opposite and continue straight ahead on this path through Park Wood, past the Pan statue, down the hill and across a meadow via a couple of kissing gates.

When you reach the estate road at point, you can either turn left to continue the walk, or to go to Mapledurham House, the Watermill and Church turn right and then shortly left. There is generally access to the Church but not the river when the House is closed.

From continue on the estate road for just under 1.5 miles then take a footpath to the left which leads up Gravel Hill.

Towards the top of the hill the path turns to the right, follow this until Jackson’s Lane bridleway is reached. Turn left onto this bridleway       and continue for just under half a mile, then take the footpath on the right back to Blagrave Farm and the Mapledurham Playing Fields.

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.