A Buckingham-based Walking Group formed in 1988, offering a Saturday or Sunday walk every fortnight of about 9 to 11 miles, and a walk on the second Wednesday of the month of about 8 miles with a Pub lunch. Some social events are also arranged for members.
The Group is affiliated to the Ramblers Association.
Programme No 88 May to August 2017
Sun 7 May Islip 9.5 Mile Circular
10.30 am Islip Station CP SP 526 144
Turn left off A34 (Oxford) at B4027 and follow to Islip (1 mile). Station car park on left in Islip. The walk is alongside river Cherwell, then though Woodeaton and on to Beckley for lunch stop at or near Abington Arms Public House. Return is across fields on the Oxfordshire Way.
Wed 10 May Maulden Fig of Eight
10.30 am The White Hart Pub SP 052 380
The White Hart pub (MK45 2DH) is on the right-hand side of the main street (Ampthill Rd) running through Maulden, before the Co-op when approaching from Ampthill. There is a large car park. This is a very pretty, country walk with wonderful views, woods and meadows, sheep, lambs, cattle and horses, interesting thatches and no stiles. 5 miles am, 3 miles pm. Please order your lunch upon arrival.
Sat 20 May Deddington 8.5 Mile Fig of Eight
10:30 am Parking in Town Centre SP 467 316
Dedddington lies 6 miles south of Banbury at the junction of A4260 & B4031. Parking in the market place or near the church. The Deddington Arms will be our starting point. The walk is made up of two loops figure of eight. The morning Hepton loop and shortened Clifton Loop after lunch in a little park and using the facilities in the Deddington Arms. It's an 8.5 mile easy walk on country lanes, farm tracks and across fields with NO STILES a few hills to catch your breath and enjoy the lovely views.
Sun 4 June Cornbury Deer Park & Wychwood Forest 10.5 Mile Circular
10.30 am Park in Finstock OX7 3BN SP 362 164
Take the A4095 from Bicester towards Witney. After Long Hanborough, turn right on Boddington Lane. Follow signs to Finstock on small but well marked roads. Turn right into village and park on School Road by Finstock Primary School. The morning takes us via Cornbury Deer Park to Charlbury for a coffee break (Toilets 20p). We then walk to the Anglo Saxon church at Shorthampton with its medieval wall paintings and on to Ascott-under-Wychwood to eat our lunch near the newly refurbished 'Swan' pub.The afternoon takes us through Wychwood Forest, the 'secret forest' which was not open to walkers for many years, and finally back to Finstock. Mostly lanes and bridle paths, no stiles.
Wed 14 June Ashton 8 Mile Fig of Eight
10.30 am The Old Crown CP SP 765 499
From the Old Stratford roundabout take the A508 Northampton Road travel for six miles. Look for turning on right sign- posted for Ashton. After 3/4 mile the pub & car park are on the right. This is a walk which was cancelled last March because of heavy rain & flooding. The morning walk will take us north of Hartwell turning north towards Courteenhall, then the outskirts of Roade & back to Ashton for lunch. After lunch the walk will be about 3 miles, We start walking beside the main London to Glasgow line and onto Gordons Lodge. Then cross over the Railway line and walk towards Hartwell before turning north back to Ashton.
Sat 17 June Whitfield, Northants 7.5 Mile Circular
10.30 am Park in Main Street SP 610 396
Park in Main Street and meet at the Sun PH.The easiest route to Whitfield from Buckingham is via A43 north from Brackley over 2 roundabouts and Whitfield is signed to the right. Take care crossing the southbound traffic as you turn. If coming from Towcester use A43 southbound Whitfield is signed left off the A43 before the “services” roundabout. The walk crosses fields and uses bridleways via Whistley Wood, Crowfield and Syresham where we will stop at the pub before we return to our cars via Biddleston.The walk is easy but does have several stiles.
Sun 2 July Marston Moretaine CP 10 Mile Circular
10:30 am The Forest Centre TL 005 417
From Milton Keyes take the A421 towards Bedford. After crossing the M1 look for the brown Forest Centre sign at the next exit. Follow the signs though Marston Moretaine onto Station road. The entrance to the Country Park (MK43 0PS) is on the left. Today’s walk takes us from the Country Park passing under the A421 though the village of Lower Shelton, onto Wootton Green Farm. Joining a bridleway which joins the John Bunyan Trail takes us to the village of Wootton. There are a number of new plantations here which we will pass though. We will be stopping for lunch in the village and use the Cock inn for drinks. After lunch we use field paths back to the Forest Centre where refreshments available.
Wed 12 July Maids Moreton VH 8.5 Mile Fig of Eight
10.30 am Parking in Main St SP 704 355
The walk starts from the front of the Village Hall. Parking is restricted so please share cars if at all possible. The morning walk will take us via Foscott, with coffee break by Foscott woods. Then via Akeley and back to Maids Moreton for lunch at the Wheatsheaf. The afternoon walk is to the south of the village and takes us through Page Hill before returning to our cars.
Sat 15 July Pitstone Hill 9 Mile Circular
10.30 am Pitstone Hill CP SP 947 158
From the Leighton Buzzard Bypass take the B488 signposted Tring, just past The Kings Head in Ivinghoe, turn left, and follow the road (still the B488) round and then where the road bears right drive straight on. The car park is on the right. The walk is via the Ridgeway and the Grand Union Canal at Bulbourne to College Lake Visitor Centre, where we will stop for lunch (Toilets, Hot Drinks & a bit of Bird Watching ?). There will also be an opportunity for a drink at The Grand Junction Arms. After lunch we will return to our cars via Marsworth and Grand Union Canal.
Sun 30 July Great Missenden 9 Mile Circular
10.30 am Village Car Park SP 896 015
Follow the A413 south of Aylesbury and turn right at the first roundabout into the village. Turn right again almost immediately into the public car park (no charge on Sundays). In the morning we follow sections of the South Bucks Way and the Chiltern Way, with a lunch stop near Lee Gate and welcome refreshment at the Old Swan PH. After lunch we turn south and follow a variety of field paths via Lee and Ballinger Commons, with a gradual descent back to Great Missenden.
Wed 9 Aug Beachampton Figure of Eight
10.30 am The Bell Inn PH SP 773 369
Park at the rear of the PH car park. The morning walk is 5 miles taking us to Thornton and then onto Nash and back to the Bell Inn for lunch. For the afternoon a further 4 miles takes us across the MK boundary and onto Middle Weald and back to Beachampton. There will be stiles!
Sat 12 Aug Tring to Cholesbury 10 Mile Circular
10.30 am Tring Museum CP SP 925 110
Tring Natural History Museum is to be found in Akeman St, Tring (HP23 6AP). Park in the free overflow CP off Hastoe Lane. Toilets and a Café are available in the museum. Today’s walk is Tring to Cholesbury Hill Fort where we have lunch and enjoy the beverages of the Full Moon PH, returning by way of Wigginton and Tring Park. Open downland and woods with few stiles.
Sun 27 Aug Rushmere Country Park 10 Mile Circular
10.30 am Rushmere Country Park CP SP 916 278
Rushmere Country Park (LU7 0EB) Parking charge £2. Toilets & Cafe available. Country Park situated on Old Linslade Road between Heath & Reach and Stoke Road near Leighton Buzzard. A varied walk, undulating, with scenic views. Woodland, water meadows, and canal side walking. We will be walking through the pretty villages of Great Brickhill, Stock Hammond. Lunch stop at The Boot in Soulbury. We will then pick up the Cross Bucks Way to Old Lindslade and the Greensands Ridge walk along the River Ouzel back up into Rushmere Country Park.
For information on walk leader and further information please telephone 07921 823189.
GUESTS on WALKS - We are happy for guests or prospective new members to try out our weekend walks once or twice before joining the group. This also applies to midweek walks but lunches have to be booked in advance through the walk leader. Temporary membership will be granted to any new people turning up on a walk. No dogs on walks please.
WEEKEND WALKS - Weekend walks usually cover 10 miles with a pub stop for a drink near the mid-point, if this can be arranged. As there is not usually time to eat in the pubs walkers should arrange to bring their own sandwiches and refreshments for the day.
MIDWEEK WALKS & DINING ARRANGEMENTS - Mid-week walks cover approx. 7 or 8 miles with a lunch time pub stop. Meals are ordered in advance through the walk leaders, so it is essential that you inform walk leaders early of your intention to walk, so that you can be given a menu.
Paths on Walks - Our walks sometimes include paths which may have suffered neglect or abuse. We must stress that those who walk with our Group do so at their own risk. Members are reminded that they are responsible for carrying their own first aid kit.
