The Hambleden Valley
Those far-reaching views across rolling green countryside dotted with little villages clustered around a church or village green, beech wood domes and soaring red kites are such a cliché.
Out of the winter gloom and mud grows so much May colour offset by the vivid greens, bright buttercup fields and copper beeches dotted across the landscape. For those of you with a low rain tolerance, it is why the countryside looks as it does: lush and fertile. The lambs are teenagers now and the calves form small groups slowing munching their way across a hillside.
Hemmed in by hills, villages with chimneys and their church towers visible, Turville felt like the centre of the world.
I don’t need an excuse to take a detour through the Hambleden Valley.
Situated 10 miles north of Henley, this valley typifies what the Chilterns represent; tucked away villages at the end of narrow country lanes. Chalk paths leading upwards to the beech tree filled hilltops, narrow twisting country lanes cutting through high-sided hedgerows thick with sparrows and May blossom weave their way through the slightly hazy landscape.
Avoiding the craters along the lanes, I parked outside the church at Turville, currently closed for renovation, so headed straight up the hillside to the crest beside the Cobstone windmill to take in the views. Safe in the knowledge the coach-load of film tourist arrivals wouldn’t be following me as they had chosen the Bull & Butcher pub instead. This prominent ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” landmark watches over the village below, restored once again after loosing its sales in a storm. From up there, everything seemed within touching distance. Skirmett, Turville Heath, Fingest and Little Frieth.
Those far-reaching views across rolling green countryside dotted with little villages clustered around a church or village green, beech wood domes and soaring red kites are such a cliché. But here in the Hambleden Valley, it’s true!
On the way home I stopped to look back along Fingest Lane towards the distinctive twin-gabled towers of St Bartholomew’s church. Busy with cawing crows, the only way up into the tower is climbing the tallest, thinest 25-rung ladder leading from the vestibule to a teeny tiny trapdoor high in the ceiling. Monkey’s need only apply!
The ground has already hardened with tell-tale heat cracks in the chalk. Time to head for the hills. This has given me an idea to share other views points with you - Coombe Hill, West Wycombe, Ivinghoe Beacon…any others I should include?
Links you will need
Turville has enjoyed a starring role in many popular films and mini-series. In 1871 it was the scene of probable cunning deception. Read about the Sleeping Girl of Turville.
There are so many lovely, but long walks through the valley, but worth making a day of it and stopping in a local pub or farm shop along the way. This 10.2 mile circular walk starts from the village of Hambleden - there’s the Stag & Huntsman pub (I’ve been going there for years), and excellent shop to stock up with supplies, before crossing the Hamble Brook chalk stream and climbing into the lovely hills and woods to the west of the Hambleden Valley.
This weekend, I am joining two walks during the very popular Chilterns Walking Festival which is in full swing. There may be spaces left to join in a short, medium or tougher walk. Find your walk here.