From West Wycombe Hill, on the edge of the Chilterns, explore the expansive surrounds of a Palladian mansion that has starred in dozens of period dramas, before visiting a historie village with three picturesque pubs. Return via the infamous Hellfire Caves and Dashwood Mausoleum.
Sp
Start
From the car park, walk away from St Lawrence Church and bear left. The path splits by a bench, but carry straight on, into woods. Meeting the main path, turn left and walk downhill through a tunnel oftrees. Another path joins from the right, but keep going straight, following a National Trust fingerpost pointing to West Wycombe Park & Village'. When you emerge from the trees the path forks; go right (virtually straight), and straight again at the next crossways, continuing to Chorley Road. Turn left and walk to the main road.
492 m
Between April and August you can cross here, go through the gates opposite and explore West Wycombe Park and mansion. However, our all-year route goes right, along Oxford Road for 150 yards, before crossing and turning left up Toweridge Lane. Walk up this narrow lane, into tree cover, and follow it around to the left.
1.32 km
Go through gateposts into the outskirts of West Wycombe estate. At a fork, follow a bridleway sign left. Look for the Equestrian Statue on your left, past which a view of the theatrical Italianate mansion is revealed through a gap in the trees. This effigy of a Roman emperor on horseback is actually a fibreglass film prop, bought from Pinewood Studios for the prize of a crate of champagne.
1.62 km
Ignore turnings left and right, and continue straight, past David's Hut. At a farm gate, take the footpath leading left and descend along a lovely section of trail, through hawthorn, hazel and holly trees, with Sands Bank Local Nature Reserve on your right. At a gate, ignore the path going right and carry straight on, along Toweridge Lane. A wooden bench on your left offers stunning views over the Chiltern Hills. Pass a house and walk with a fence on your right to reach a small pylon and two gates.
1.97 km
Turn left down a lane, leading to a road. Go left and then left again, following a bridleway towards Park Farm. By a circular stone gatehouse at Park Farm, bear right, then right again through gate, and walk across a little footbridge with lovely views of the house to the left. Follow the path left, through a gate and across a stone bridge over a stream. Walk along the tarmac, and at the main road, turn left.
3.02 km
At the roundabout, bear left and walk into West Wycombe, where you'll find The George & Dragon and The Swan on the left, and The Plough on the right.
3.32 km
Exit the pub and continue along High Street. Turn right at a National Trust sign for West Wycombe Hill and ascend a lane, past a school. Cut up onto the hill and follow the path running parallel to the lane to the Hellfire Caves. Explore the caves (entry fee; not National Trust), then head up the hill to the extraordinary Dashwood Mausoleum, built in 1765 by John Bastard the Younger of Blandford. Continue past St Lawrence Church to the car park.
6.21 km
Finish
