Chesham to Great Missenden walk

Undulating Chilterns walk close to London with lunch in The Lee, a charming village, and the woods of Frith Hill to finish.

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Wed, 09-Oct-24 Chesham to Great Missenden 14 one heavy shower
Sun, 10-Mar-24 Sunday walk - Chesham to Great Missenden 3 a bit wet then more wet then a bit wet again
Sat, 22-Jul-23 b Chesham Circular via The Lee 5
Sun, 12-Mar-23 Sunday walk - Chesham to Great Missenden 11 mild and dry with occasional chilly wind
Sat, 20-Aug-22 Classic Chilterns: Chesham Circular or Chesham to Amersham 21 warm mixed sun and cloud
Sun, 09-Jan-22 v Sunday Walk: Chesham Circular 20 glorious winter sun
Sun, 03-Oct-21 c Sunday Walk : Great Missenden Circular 11 largely sunny minor showers later
Tue, 25-Feb-20 Evening Walk - Chesham Circular 2 starry starry skies
Sun, 26-Jan-20 v Sunday Walk: Chesham Circular 2
Sat, 21-Sep-19 Saturday Walk - Great Missenden Circular 4 hot and sunny
Sat, 14-Sep-19 Saturday Walk - Chesham circular 15 pleasant sunny
Sun, 10-Feb-19 Sunday Walk: Chesham Circular or to Great Missenden 5 rain then sunshine after lunch
Sat, 22-Dec-18 b A Chesham Christmas Circular 8 mild sunny day clouding over after lunch
Sun, 21-Oct-18 c Sunday Walk: Great Missenden Circular
Sat, 13-Jan-18 Great Missenden Circular 14 dry still and overcast
Sun, 03-Dec-17 b Sunday Walk: Chesham Circular 8 cloudy
Tue, 28-Nov-17 a Chesham to Great Missenden evening walk 3 three quarters moon with some nice surrounding stars
Sun, 18-Dec-16 Sunday walk 1 Chesham Circular
Sat, 19-Nov-16 Third Walk 5 decent sunshine for most of the day
Sun, 20-Dec-15 Sunday walk 2 - Only just north: the Chilterns from Chesham 5 cloudy and mild
Sat, 19-Sep-15 Saturday First Walk - An easy Chilterns walk 9 blue skies and a warm sun
Wed, 04-Feb-15 Chesham to Great Missenden
Sun, 21-Dec-14 b Chesham Circular 12
Sun, 28-Sep-14 Chesham to Great Missenden 0
Sun, 22-Dec-13 b Chesham Circular 4
Sun, 06-Oct-13 c Great Missenden Circular 0
Sat, 26-Jan-13 Chesham to Great Missenden 17
Sun, 23-Dec-12 b Chesham Circular
Sun, 09-Sep-12 Chesham to Great Missenden
Sat, 25-Feb-12 Chesham to Great Missenden
Sun, 08-Jan-12 c Great Missenden Circular
Sat, 17-Sep-11 Chesham to Great Missenden
Sun, 19-Jun-11 Chesham to Great Missenden
Sun, 31-Oct-10 c Great Missenden Circular
Thu, 31-Dec-09 b Chesham Circular
Sun, 25-Oct-09 c Great Missenden Circular
Sat, 06-Jun-09 Chesham to Great Missenden
Wed, 15-Apr-09 b Chesham Circular
Sun, 21-Dec-08 b Chesham Circular
Sat, 04-Oct-08 Chesham to Great Missenden
Wed, 05-Mar-08 b Chesham Circular
Sat, 09-Feb-08 Chesham to Great Missenden
Wed, 04-Jul-07 c Great Missenden Circular
Sat, 23-Jun-07 b Chesham Circular
Wed, 04-Apr-07 b Chesham Circular
Sun, 04-Mar-07 Chesham to Great Missenden
Sun, 24-Dec-06 b Chesham Circular
Wed, 04-Oct-06 b Chesham Circular
Wed, 09-Oct-24 : Chesham to Great Missenden 14
Sandy
Sandy

15.5 km (9.6 miles) 3/10

A walk I haven't done for yonks and although it may be recommended for later because of autumn colours, it might be good to do before it gets too muddy. Another reason for posting now is that the lunch pub, the Cock and Rabbit now seems to be open on weekdays again and has glowing reviews from recent visitors.

Trains: Get the Metropolitan Line departing Baker Street for Chesham at 0948, arriving Chesham 1047, or from other stations the train timetabled to arrive at that time. Returns from Great Missenden to Marylebone at 00 and 30. If you have a travel pass that covers you to Zone 9, you will just need a single from Great Missenden to Amersham on the way back. If not, get a zone 1-9 travelcard for the day.

Lunch : The suggested lunchtime stop is the Cock and Rabbit Inn (tel 01494 837540), The Lee, 8 km from the start of the walk, serving lunch from 12 to 2.30 pm Wednesday to Sunday. Lee Green, which borders onto the Cock and Rabbit Inn, is recommended for picnics.

Tea: The suggested tea place is the Cross Keys (tel 01494 865373) pub which offers tea and coffee. I'm not sure if the cafe at the Roald Dahl museum is open at the moment but we also sometimes go to Matilda's which is near the station.

Short walk option: A 9.5 km/6 mile circular walk back to Chesham is described in the directions.

For walk directions, map and GPX click here. BUT note that the GPX file does not show the diversion needed near the end to avoid HS2 works. This is in the written directions and on the map on the website (blue dotted line).

T=2.4

  • Wed, 09-Oct-24

    13 gathered at the station and one followed half an hour later so14 in all. Two of the 13 peeled off quickly to do a Chesham circular and I hear that's what the latecomer did too. So 11 of us enjoyed a nice morning of woodland walking with one heavy shower . Eight visited the Cock and Rabbit where the home cooking and friendly service impressed. The other three had moved on when we continued, one later heading towards Wendover with a plan to inspect HS2 developments. The rest of us got a brief glimpse of the line at Frith Hill while successfully negotiating the diversion past the works. Drinks in the very good George Ale House for five; three of us got the 1630 leaving two to sample more real ale there.

Wanderer
Wanderer

T=2.4

Through the Chilterns via Lee Common

Length: 15.5km (9.6 miles)

Short walk: 9.5km (5.9 miles)

Difficulty: 3 out of 10

Trains: Take the 9.45 Metropolitan line from Baker to Chesham, arriving Chesham 10.49.

Return from Great Missenden to London Marylebone xx.03 and xx.33.

A Travelcard Zones 1-9 or a Freedom Pass will cover your complete days travel with the exception of a single ticket from Great Missenden to Amersham (zone 9) for the return journey.

Lunch:The suggested lunchtime stop is the Cock and Rabbit Inn (tel 01494 837540) , The Lee, 8 km from the start of the walk. Check availability if you wish to eat here.

Tea: The suggested tea place is the Cross Keys (tel 01494 865373) pub which offers tea and coffee. It is open daily. Alternatively there is the Café Twit.

For more detailed information click L=2.4

  • Fri, 08-Mar-24

    I have booked a table for 4 for lunch at1/130 at the pub in Lee. They have a restricted menu but will be open. So there will be spaces at this table for others who want to eat there. Perhaps we can discuss it when we meet at the station in Chesham.

    Kate

  • Sun, 10-Mar-24

    Someone asked me yesterday “is this walk muddy?” and I said I couldn’t remember. I can tell you now, though. Yes it is. I think I’ll remember next time I’m asked. Slippy too and, as my socks can attest, a bit wet. But at least I learnt how to waddle like a duck.

    3 all-weather walkers today. None of your lightweights. The weather was, well, a bit wet then more wet then a bit wet again

    We slithered our way to the Cock and Rabbit which has undergone a renaissance. A pleasant stay with welcoming staff (who were particularly taken with my plastic bootees) The two who ate seemed to like what they got. A limited menu but there was hot meals and, get this, one room has become a cafe selling home made cakes. We all partook of the cakes. Mmm.

    I have to confess, readers, we followed roads on the way back. We were just going to cut off the tippy top of the Lee loop until we saw the state of the path we were going to rejoin.

    We got to Great Missenden in time for one to visit rellies, one to dash for the 15:03 and one to just miss it, buying a ticket.

  • Sun, 10-Mar-24

    Very glad to have had company to walk on a damp day. The rain after lunch was unpleasant so it was good that we all agreed to take a shortcut by staying on the road. The morning part of the walk had some extended muddy bits, some of which we managed to sidestep.

Sat, 22-Jul-23 : Chesham Circular via The Lee 5
DAC
DAC
Length: 16.1 km (10 miles). Toughness: 3/10
Another Saturday another train strike.
This is a variant on the often walked Chesham circular walk. Essentially follow the standard Chesham to Great Missenden walk to the Cock and Rabbit PH (under new ownership) , The Lee. After lunch continue with the directions until [6] to then use the Chesham Circular directions picking up the text at ii) From The Lee to Chartridge.
Catch the 9:49 Metropolitan line train from Baker Street (Aldgate: 9:33), arrives Chesham 10:48.
L=2.4.b
  • Sun, 23-Jul-23

    5 met outside Chesham underground. By mid morning 2 of us were ahead of the remaining group - never to reunite - and having looked forward to lunch at The Cock & Rabbit, The Lee we arrived just after midday and were disappointed to learn that they were only serving a basic snack menu, sausage rolls and one or two other items. (New management have only recently taken over - so possibly still getting up to speed.)

    With rain starting to set in we decided to press on to The Bell, Chartridge, arriving before 13:30. Alas The Bell is now closed and up for sale. (My last memory being a leisurely evening meal there in February 2020 mid way through a Chesham circular evening walk.) Can only hope that it does eventually re-open as a pub. My walking companion who was picnicking very kindly split his sandwiches with me.

    We arrived back in Chesham at about 14:45, (me) thoroughly soaked - my 20+ year old basic pack away rain jacket - only prevents light rain penetration. A good walk particularly the section from The Lee to Chartridge.

Wanderer
Wanderer

Length: 15.5km (9.6 miles), short circular version 9.5km (5.9 miles)

Difficulty: 3 out of 10

This walk makes for an easy day out from London. It starts in Chesham, which is soon leftbehind for sloping fields, woods and hamlets. The route follows the Chilterns Link, but diverts at Herbert’s Hole to take a higher southerly path. It then picks up the Chilterns Link again through to Ballinger Bottom and Lee Common and to lunch in the charming village called The Lee. From lunch the walk continues on a gently undulating course before a gentle climb through woods up to Frith Hill and down a steep descent into Great Missenden.

Trains: Take the 9.45 Metropolitan line from Baker Street to Chesham arriving 10.46. A Freedom pass or zone 1- 9 travelcard will cover the outward journey. You will need to buy a single from Great Missenden to Amersham on the return journey.

Return trains from Great Missenden xx.04 and xx.34.

Lunch: The usual lunchtime stop is the Cock and Rabbit Inn, The Lee, 8 km from the start of the walk. However, they are currently under new management and serving drinks only until Easter.

The Green, in front of the pub, is a possible picnic spot.

Those wanting a pub lunch could carry on for approximately 1 km and make a short diversion to The Old Swan Pub at Swan Bottom, HP16 9NU. You should be able to plot a route using a map app or GPS, On leaving the pub, retrace your steps back to the walk route.

Tea: The Cross Keys pub or Cafe Twit are possibilities in Great Missenden.

Directions, map and GPS here

T=2.4









  • Sun, 12-Mar-23

    Trains delayed to Chesham. A few of us are at Baker Street waiting for information.

  • Sun, 12-Mar-23

    I arrived earlier and was told there was no trains. A complicated route was suggested but just went home.

  • Sun, 12-Mar-23

    11 walkers, including a small dog. mild and dry with occasional chilly wind . We were about 30 minutes late arriving at Chesham due to train delays but otherwise a pleasant day out.

Stargazer

Classic Chilterns: Chesham Circular or Chesham to Amersham ( Book 2 Walk 4/Book 1 Walk Combo 5) t=2.4

Distance: For the Chesham Circular via The Lee -- 10 miles/16.1 km

For Chesham to Amersham – approximately 16 miles/25.7 km

Difficulty: 3 out of 10 for Chesham circuit and 5 out of 10 for Amersham ending

Train: Take the 9:45ish AM Chesham bound Metropolitan Line from Baker Street, arriving at Chesham at 10:49. Return tube trains are twice an hour from Chesham (28 and 58 past the hour) and Amersham (20 and 50 minutes past the hour).

Desperate times call for creative measures….With the massive rail strike options are limited – so on offer today are two Chilterns classics, either a Chesham circular or a longer experimental route from Chesham to Amersham. The Chesham circular route goes via the The Lee, a pretty village for lunch at the Cock and Rabbit with instructions here. Note I do not think that there is a GPS file for the circular route via The Lee – so text will be key!

The Amersham ending is a bit of an experiment – using the short cut for the Chesham to Great Miss walk, then picking up the Great Miss to Amersham walk with lunch either in Great Miss or later on in Little Miss. More information and instructions for both walk components are here and here.

Check the walk notes for post walk refreshies – though I note in Chesham the Drawing Room is now closed….

Enjoy the walk!

  • Wed, 17-Aug-22

    If doing the Chesham to Amersham option, there would seem to be a potential to do a further short cut that eliminates the descent to Great Missenden, and would get you to Little Missenden a bit quicker. That is to say, the Great Missenden ending of the Chesham walk and the start of Great Missenden to Amersham are pretty close to each other at South Heath

  • Sat, 20-Aug-22

    Several trains to Chesham have been cancelled. A number of walkers are going to start the walk from Amersham which has a more reliable train service.

  • Sat, 20-Aug-22

    Despite some confusion with cancelled tube trains, 11 arrived at Chesham. Some on an earlier train, most on one that arrived at about the time of the cancelled train and two by bus from Amersham. Two of the 11 were just plain late.

    I think most opted for the circular, though I heard of one heading for Amersham.

    The Cock and Rabbit is a pale shadow of its former bustling self. Hardly any beer (just a barrel on the bar), no cider and only a smattering of customers.

    I was persuaded to join two others returning via a quicker route. Strike us off if you dare. Quite a lot of this route turned out to be the morning in reverse.

    Weather was mixed sun and cloud

  • Sat, 20-Aug-22

    Yes, I guess some confusion was to be expected on a day of rail strikes following a day of tube strikes -- but kudos to the 21 who managed either a Chesham circular or a Chesham 2 Amersham (or vise versa) walk! A number of people looking (and not finding) the posted train due to cancellation (or any other service to Chesham) found themselves by various means on a train heading towards Amersham at which point we decided to start there and walk backwards to Chesham...At some point a Chesham train did pop-up on the boards we saw in passing but too late to organize all off the Amersham train...but one did encourage a number onto the Amersham train....Hence, once in Amersham, 10 opted for the walk in reverse while a few took a bus to Chesham to meet people doing the circular walk. The linear walk worked well, we had a very pleasant lunch in Little Miss where we met the sole linear walker from Amersham and did the South Heath cut across which shortened the distance to 12 milesish and is a very pleasant route -- so worth keeping as an option in either direction. In Chesham, we had drinks in the George & Dragon as the Drawing Room was preparing for an evening music function where 2 of the circular walkers met up with us. Most catching a more reliable 6pm train home...A good day out in warm mixed sun and cloud weather.

  • Sun, 21-Aug-22

    Whilst lunching at the Red Lion in Little Missenden and waiting to see if any of the Amersham starters would reach there before I departed (they did) I overheard one of the locals say that the Cock and Rabbit had been sold which may account for the depleted stocks of beer and cider. Hopefully the new owners will continue to run it as a pub.

    Glad to here that news of the Drawing Room's closure was premature ...

  • Tue, 23-Aug-22

    Bill S: that rumour came from me ‘sigh’. When checking details for an intended Sunday walk, I inadvertently landed on a post by a different Drawing Room that was closing and moving location.

Sun, 09-Jan-22 : Sunday Walk: Chesham Circular 20
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger

11.8 km, 7.3 miles Difficulty 3/10
This walk, a variation on the Chesham to Great Missenden walk, has sweeping views and some big trees. And it's not too long.
Travel: Get the Metropolitan line to Chesham from Baker Street at 10:15, arriving Chesham at 11:19.
Trains return from Chesham at xx:28 and xx:58.
A zone 1-9 travel card will do you. Freedom pass valid.
Lunch:
The Bell Inn, Chartridge 01494 782 878.
Tea: Several places are listed: The quirky Drawing Room in Frances Yard 01494 791 691 is a favourite - it appears to be open till 5 but advisable to phone and check.
Directions: You need two sets of directions. Follow the main "Chesham to Great Missenden" directions on the “Download Walk” button as far as point [4], and then the directions on the “Chesham Circular option” button. The Lowndes Park ending avoids a stretch beside a road.
t=2.4.variant

  • Mon, 10-Jan-22

    I did not count but reckon 20+ in glorious winter sun after dismal Saturday of rain and mud. Three opted for an unplanned longer walk and were vanished into thin air until one showed up at the station to catch 6pm train. The rest of us followed the advertised route. Unsurprisingly, some mud enroute after persistent rain the day before. The early arrivals at the pub swiftly got their lunch, but the fortune turned for a late comer who was told the pub had run out of food….. Most had a drink or two at the pub before setting off for the afternoon with several sub-groups leaving the pub at different times. Back in Chesham, some went straight to the station, about 10-12 went to Drawing room for tea. The place is well set up for the Covid era, a large covered patio fitted with heaters and blankets. We were welcome by the owner who offered us hot stones to warm our hands – what a lovely and ingenious idea! He showed us the recording of music bands performing on the stage at the end of the patio, told us how he selected musicians and few other amusing tales about Covid, perhaps another posting for this walk in the summer when gigs are on. The last group left Drawing room just after 5pm but 5:30pm train was cancelled due to driver shortage. Another 30 mins wait at the station was not all lost – we got to know the history of the station with displays in the waiting room. The station was first opened in 1889.... On the train, more chatting about food, Masterchef, potential future restaurant outings to work up an appetite for the evening. A nice day out in good company.

  • Mon, 10-Jan-22

    The longer walkers continued on the main walk route to the normal lunch pub, the Italian one, where two of us had a most delicious meal and the third one watched. We had various routes in mind for the afternoon, but eventually just looped back to the short walk route, crossing some enchanting Chilterns valleys in the process. Towards the end of the route it got dark, but there was a lovely half moon.

    We obviously just missed you all at the Drawing Room. We got there at about 5.30pm, having dispatched our companion to get the train. The staff said they were closed, but then the owner appeared and admitted us (we sat inside, I confess). We had hot rocks, wine/tea and cake and had a long chat about this and that, while the resident moggie examined our laps and found them wanting. We too had a bit of a wait for a train, emerging from the tea room to realise we had just missed one, but found the cosy heated waiting room, with its historical photos. I think we got the 6.58pm train.

    Lovely to see the sunshine!

Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Length 16 km 10 miles. Difficulty 3/10

A Chilterns walk stitched together from sections of two walks, visiting the Cock and Rabbit for lunch.

Trains: From Marylebone, get the 9:57 Aylesbury Vale Parkway train arriving Great Missenden 10:38

Return from Great Missenden at xx:01 and xx:31.

Get a return to Great Missenden.

Lunch: The Cock and Rabbit, Lee Common 01494 837540.

Tea:There are two pubs near the station, the Cross Keys (doesn't do hot drinks) and the George Ale House specialising in real ale. The "Café at the Roald Dahl Museum" is open till 4.

Directions: here

The walk comprises sections of "Great Missenden to Amersham" (1.5) and "Chesham to Great Missenden" (2.4), with a connecting bit in the middle. All the route is described in the main Chesham to GM text (on the "Download walk" button). Start at Option C "Alternative walk directions for a Great Missenden Circular walk", later switching to point [4] in the main text. BE SURE TO USE THE UP TO DATE VERSION of both text and GPX as there have been some changes near the end, due to HS2 works.

GPXers: The connecting section between the two parent walks isn't GPX'd, so written directions are advised till you meet the Chesham to Gt Missenden walk at point [4]. As you near Great Missenden, use the blue route (the green ending is closed).

T=2.4.c

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 30-Sep-21

    Help pls Mr Tiger! instructions and different coloured lines on the map are bit difficult to understand.. wanting to do the shorter option so can you or someone patiently explain pls thanks?

  • Fri, 01-Oct-21

    Anonymous, The green route would normally be the one to follow but today, near the end, you have to switch to the blue route to avoid HS2. I'm not particularly familiar with this walk (I didn't write it) and I didn't consider the shorter option, but it looks very much like the little red line near Ballinger Bottom is the shortcut that would make the walk shorter. Remember that this map is only helpful from point [4] in the text. You are advised to follow the Option C text until point [4]. And no, I can't point to point [4] on the map!

    If you aren't confident, Sean has posted a shorter walk.

  • Anonymous
    Fri, 01-Oct-21

    Okay thank you Mr Tiger👍 may take a punt and hope that they may be others choosing the shorter route

  • JMC
    Sat, 02-Oct-21

    How to find Point 4 : follow the green line on the map leaving CHESHAM until it reaches the first red line ( which returns to Chesham in a long loop). This is point 4. When I say follow, I don’t mean literally, as we begin the walk in GM. At point 4, we follow the green line (literally) to lunch at The Lee and then home to GM.

    Early on, Ronald Dahl’s grave can be visited as we pass through GM Parish churchyard. Its to the left of the church, a large flat gravestone, usually with lots of tributes from admirers of his work.

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 02-Oct-21

    thanks JMC, you are the walk poster obvs

  • Sun, 03-Oct-21

    Today we had 11 and one dog. Numbers possibly boosted by Saturday’s stay-at-home weather. Today was largely sunny minor showers later More on that later. I didn’t see much of the others on the walk but my extensive network of spies updated me at the station. And poor Cinders (that’s the dog) had to retire early with a cut paw and took her human off with her. I’m sure we all wish her well.

    I wasn’t slow or anything but someone had to check out the shortcut didn’t they? (I can tell you it works). As a result, I myself, am unable to report on the stretch between [5 ]and [9 ], including the lunch pub. However one of the others tells me that “Three of us lunched at the (rather empty) pub, just beating another walk group of about nine to ordering. A couple of others had drinks. One did not have drinks because he was refused permission to eat sandwiches at the pub table”. There was also mention of an overgrown stile. (I remember it well, I’ve still got the scratches).

    The revised walk directions work well - not bad considering how jumbled up option c still is. And the rain was nothing. The first short smattering came when I was under the underpass. The second longer smattering was no trouble. But then I was in the George at the time, savouring a pint of porter.

    When the others arrived, four went to the Roald Dahl Cafe. Two to a pub in GM. The Cafe crowd got the 4.01 train.

    Of course, I was long gone by then, on the 3.31, taking my spies with me.

  • Sun, 03-Oct-21

    My network of spies has also informed me that five of the others did an unofficial short cut down the road from the pub. cutting off the post prandial loop, so they could catch up with the other others who did not visit the pub.

Tue, 25-Feb-20 : Evening Walk - Chesham Circular 2
DAC
DAC
CW2 Walk 4 - Chesham Circular
Length: 11.8km (7.3 miles) - check

Catch the 17:59 Metropolitan line train from London Baker Street, arrives Chesham 18:46. Return trains from Chesham xx27, xx:57, until 23:27.

T=2.4
  • Gabriella
    Tue, 25-Feb-20

    I'm just checking that there will be others on this walk tonight ? I wouldn't normally mind but seeing as its an evening walk I would be wary of walking alone ....

  • Tue, 25-Feb-20

    Intend going. There will probably be at least 2.

  • Gabriella Palmano
    Tue, 25-Feb-20

    Sorry - changed my mind and not coming after all. Been invited out for dinner and it’s too cloudy and cold. Enjoy !

  • Wed, 26-Feb-20

    Just 2 night owls on this interesting winter evening outing. We started out under starry starry skies which gave way to a moderate (but fast moving) shower just before the dinner pub.....where we indulged in their Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner....The skies cleared again on the final stretch back to Chesham....several owls were heardalong the way....Always very atmospheric to explore the countryside in the dark....

  • Thu, 27-Feb-20

    There was no moon - you walked by starlight alone?

Sun, 26-Jan-20 : Sunday Walk: Chesham Circular 2
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Book 2 walk 4 (variant)
11.8 km 7.3 miles Difficulty: 3/10
A walk in the Chilterns. Sweeping views, big trees. Not too long.
Travel:
There isn't a straight run on the Metropolitan line today. Get the Jubilee Line (10:10 from Baker Street) to Wembley Park and change there for the 10:33 Metropolitan Line to Chesham, arriving at 11:14. Use Tfl's Journey Planner to plot your own connection.
Trains return at xx:27 and xx:57, changing at Wembley Park.
A zones 1-9 travelcard will do you.
Lunch: the Bell Inn, Chartridge 01494 782 878.
Tea: Several places are listed. The Drawing Room in Frances Yard 01494 791 691 is a favourite - usually open till 5 on Sundays.
Directions: You need two sets of directions. You follow the main Chesham to Great Missenden directions (on the “Download Walk” button) as far as point [4] and the directions on the “Chesham Circular option” button thereafter.
T=2.4.variant
  • Anonymous
    Sun, 26-Jan-20

    Only 2 brave souls turned up today. Walk was pleasant. Pub food okay 😉

  • Sun, 26-Jan-20

    2

DAC
CW2 4c Great Missenden Circular

Length: 16 km (10 miles). Toughness: 3/10

Catch the 10:27 from London Marylebone arrives Great Missenden 11:08.

Return trains: xx:02 xx:32

This is a walk option that uses the initial section of CW1 Walk 5 up to [3] to then use 4c walk directions for a Great Missenden Circular walk. All directions are contained in the main document including the CW1 Walk 5 directions up to [3].

Lunch at Cock & Rabbit, The Lee.

T=2.4c
  • Anonymous
    Thu, 19-Sep-19

    With Saturday's coming high temperature in mind, does anyone know if this route is heavily wooded? Thank you.

  • Anonymous
    Fri, 20-Sep-19

    Any locals out there?

  • Sat, 21-Sep-19

    We are on the train passing through Northwood at 10:21

  • Sat, 21-Sep-19

    3 of us started off from Great Missenden on what was a hot and sunny day. One of our number wanted to head onto Chesham, splitting off at Herberts Hole whereupon we were joined by 3 others who had set off from Chesham - thus 4 for the scheduled walk. A delightful lunch at The Cock & Rabbit PH, The Lee with Twiglet in attendance, followed on by tea at The Stamp, Gt. Missenden.

    *pub cat

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 21-Sep-19

    Thanks to DAC for scheduling this fine walk and for keeping an avuncular eye on the rest of us to ensure we didn't stray off-track.

Sat, 14-Sep-19 : Saturday Walk - Chesham circular 15
Mike A
Mike A

A short stroll around Chesham (The Chesham circular option) for those who may prefer a shorter walk and who wish to get home in time for Strictly or The Last night of the Proms

Length 7.3 miles (12 km)
Toughness 2 out of 10

Getting there

Catch the 10:20 am Metropolitan Line from Baker Street (10:01 Aldgate, 10:03 Liverpool Street, 10:12 Kings X St. Pancras)
Alight at Chesham underground station at 11:15 am.
Full Metropolitan timetable Here

Getting back

Catch a Metropolitan train from Chesham underground station at 27 or 57 minutes past the hour (oxymoron warning).

Tickets

Buy an oyster/travelcard to cover your starting zone and zone 9


Maps

OS LandRanger Map No. 165. OS Explorer Map No. 181

Overview

A mildly undulating walk in the Chilterns with recommended stops for lunch at The Bell Inn and tea at the pleasantly quirky cafe The Drawingroom


T=2.4



  • Anonymous
    Fri, 13-Sep-19

    Is anybody thinking of doing the longer option Chesham to Great Missenden on this walk 15k

  • Anonymous
    Fri, 13-Sep-19

    Yes I maybe up for that

    Bridie

  • Anonymous
    Fri, 13-Sep-19

    Train ticket from Great Missenden to London Marylebone will be £10.10.

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 14-Sep-19

    Great walk..txs for posting

  • Sat, 14-Sep-19

    15 turned out on a pleasant sunny day.

    Short walk it may be but blimey those hills! Who ever reckoned it was a 3?

    Talk of doing the main walk to Great Missenden evaporated during the morning. I think most did the Lowndes Park end which was probably the better choice. The traditional finish involves a rather tedious kilometre along a suburban street.

    Griping and whingeing aside, it was a pretty walk with stunning views and a friendly lunch pub that seemed to please.

    There were two casualties of a seasonal nature, both suffering blackberry juice staining down their fronts. Sadly there is no known cure. Next time eat them with your mouth shut.

    At the end, two walkers went to the Drawing Room. Others dissolved back into the shadows from whence they came .

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 15-Sep-19

    After a beautiful walk we enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at the Drawing Room,

    in great company.

    Many thanks to Mike for another fabulous walk.

Mr M Tiger
CW2 walk 4
11.8 km 7.3 miles (circular) or to Gt Missenden 9.6 miles
Difficulty 3/10
Take the Met Line all the way to the Chilterns. Sweeping views, big trees.
Travel:
Get the Metropolitan line to Chesham from Baker Street at 09:50 arriving Chesham at 10:44.
Trains return from Chesham at xx:27 and xx:57.
A zone 1-9 travel card will do you for the Circular.
The Great Missenden ending would require an additional single back to the boundary. Trains leave there at xx:32.
Lunch: The circular walk visits the Bell Inn, Chartridge 01494 782 878. Phoning advised. They say they can get fully booked on a Sunday, in which case, you might want to consider the full walk to Great Missenden which visits the The Cock and Rabbit, Lee Common 01494 837 540.
Tea: Several places are listed for Chesham: The quirky Drawing Room in Frances Yard 01494 791 691 is a favourite - it appears to be open till 5 but advisable to phone and check.
Your tea stop in Great Missenden would either be at the Roald Dahl Museum or one of the two pubs near the station.
Directions: here. You need the main directions plus the extra directions for the circular.
T=2.4.
  • Anonymous
    Mon, 04-Feb-19

    Dear Mr M Tiger

    This posting reminds me of the last time that I walked this route. We supped our tea at that favourite cafe of mine

    http://the-drawingroom.co.uk

    which stands out as the best tea room on all of our walks. You might disagree with me but please note YOU ARE WRONG and seeing as this is an anonymous posting there is no redress.

    Our short walk to the station after tea curiously led to two vehicles slowing down to have an oggle at the two of us who were at the front - and this led to a discussion around prostitution and one of our group suggesting that she was up for swinging if we were - not very gallant of us other three but we all demurred, if I get another chance I will agree next time. And then poetry occurred as a piece by Max Miller was quoted that goes 'I was walking along this narrow mountain pass - so narrow that nobody else could pass you, when I saw a beautiful blonde walking towards me'. and I will have to leave the rest as it is too rude to put on here. Google will finish it off for you if you are curious

  • Mon, 04-Feb-19

    Oh Lor! Readers are assured there are no mountain passes on this walk, narrow or otherwise.

  • Wed, 06-Feb-19

    As there were four of us taking tea in the Drawing Room on that occasion I could hazard a guess as to the identity of anonymous. Luckily for them I am inclined to agree that the Drawing Room is a fine establishment, and definitely one of a kind. The Cock and Rabbit is another singular establishment, though for a different reason. But perhaps for not much longer as I saw the other day that it was for sale. Assuming that it survives as a pub I doubt the new owners will continue its retro Italian theme ...

  • Thu, 07-Feb-19

    Hey Bill

    Now that is curious. I was also one of rhe walkers on that group of 4 and I felt the Anon piece of writing below might have been you. A bluff maybe? or one of the other two?

  • Thu, 07-Feb-19

    Not me guv!

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 10-Feb-19

    4 walkers met at Chesham Station and a late starter joined us at the Bell Inn.

    Rain during the morning and sunshine after lunch.

    Beautiful vistas and charming walking companions made the day most enjoyable.

    Thank you to Mr Tiger for posting this walk.

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 10-Feb-19

    5 rain then sunshine after lunch

Sat, 22-Dec-18 : A Chesham Christmas Circular 8
Mike A
Mike A
With the Central Line likely to be strikebound, we have decided to postpone the Greenford to Osterly walk originally offered this weekend.
In it's place, here is an alternative walk accessible from the Metropolitan Line.


Getting there:

Catch the 10:20 am Metropolitan Line train from Baker street to Chesham arriving there at 11:15 am


What tickets to buy:

Chesham is in TFL's zone 9, so you may used a pay-as-you-go Oyster or a travelcard covering your start zone and zone 9.


About the walk:

This is a 7.3 mile (12 km) walk based on the original Chesham to Great Missenden walk. You may download the Directions Here The GPX and KLM files which cover the original linear walk and this Chesham circular can be Downloaded Here

Lunch is at The Bell in Chartridge t: 01494 782878 half way through the walk.
There's plenty of tea shops in Chesham which you may find on the walks details which may be found Here


Getting Back:

TFL are advertising trains at 27 and 57 minutes past the hour from Chesham.

Walk not long enough? This walk shares it's initial leg with the Chesham to Great Missenden walk which is just under 10 miles/16 km long. You may find details of this option Here . I'd suggest posting a comment if you are intending to do this longer walk. (Bear in mind you'll also need to buy a single ticket from Great Missenden to Amersham if your using an Oyster)


Finally ...

Seasons greetings to one and all who have enjoyed walking with us during 2018 !


 .__✯__. .__☉✺☉___. .__❄☉✺❄☉___. .__❄☉✺❄☉❄❄☉___. .__✺❄☉✺❄☉❄✺❄☉___. .__✺❄☉✺❄❄☉☉❄✺❄☉___. .__*✺❄☉✺✺❄❄☉☉❄❄✺❄☉__. .__✺❄☉✺✺✺❄❄☉☉❄❄✺✺❄☉___. ♟☦♟ ..............♟☦♟................ 



T=2.4.b
  • Anonymous
    Sat, 22-Dec-18

    Love the tree.

    Merry Christmas to you too.

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 22-Dec-18

    Thank you to Mike for a great walk, with stunning scenery and most entertaining company.

  • Sun, 23-Dec-18

    8 walkers walking, including one early starter who we caught up with at lunchtime. Six of us at ate the surprisingly quiet Bell at Chartridge, joined later by one of our sandwich eaters. One split from us at that point to do the alternative Great Missenden ending where they were going to meet up with a friend. Six of us left the pub together to complete the circular walk, two of who shot off on reaching Chesham to catch the tube, leaving four of us sample tea, hot chocolate and cake in the delightful Drawing Room (always worth a visit) before catching a later tube. One bailed out after two stops grateful for a short journey for once, the walk being on home territory. The other three were last seen sat on a departing met line train heading in a southerly direction.

    Enough of numbers, 'twas a mild sunny day clouding over after lunch . There was some mud of the slippery variety, but nothing to write home about. Red kites abounded, along with the odd buzzard, but the alleged sighting of an osprey was sadly a figment of the fevered imagination of one of our number who shall remain nameless. We did, however, pass by some fine looking goats.

    A fine day out in good company.

Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Length 16 km 10 miles. Difficulty 3/10
A Chilterns walk that uses sections of two other walks (GM to Amersham and Chesham to GM) and visits the Cock and Rabbit for lunch.
Trains
From Marylebone, get the 9:57 Aylesbury Vale Parkway train arriving Great Missenden 10:38.
Return trains a bit erratic. Hourly at xx:29 to 15:29, then 15:59, 16:59, 17:29 and hourly again from 17:59. Why so? ask Chiltern Railways. Get a return to Great Missenden.
Lunch
The Cock and Rabbit, Lee Common 01494 837540.
Has appeared in Midsomer Murders as the Rose and Chalice.
Tea
There are two pubs near the station.
The Cross Keys is one (it doesn't do hot drinks).
The George Inn has recently re-opened as the George Ale House after a long campaign to save it.
The "Café at the Roald Dahl Museum", as 'Cafe Twit' is now known, should be open till 5. It hasn't been open on Sundays since flood damage closed the attraction. However, if the museum reopens this weekend as intended, the Cafe will resume normal hours. Splendiferous.
Directions
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin. You need two sets of directions. These and these. You start off with the Alternative Great Missenden Circular directions. Rather illogically, you follow the second part of these directions before the first part (start on page 2, column 2, at “Book 1 Great Missenden directions to 3”. Then switch back to column 1 and follow those directions). These take you to point [4] in the main Chesham to Great Missenden directions, which you then follow, weeny weeny weeny all the way home.
T=2.4.c
Sat, 13-Jan-18 : Great Missenden Circular 14
DAC
DAC
CW2 4c Great Missenden Circular
Length: 16 km (10 miles). Toughness: 3/10

Catch the 10:27 from London Marylebone arrives Great Missenden 11:08.
Return trains: xx:02 xx:32 until 18:02 then xx:02 until 22:02.

Allow sufficient time to buy your ticket at Marylebone. Recently there have been queues for the ticket office and machines caused by the number of passengers travelling up to Bicester Village.


This is a rarely walked option that combines the initial section of CW1 Walk 5 up to [3] with a link section detailed in these Alternate walk directions for a Great Missenden Circular walk (this text also includes the CW1 Walk 5 directions up to [3]), to then link up with the CW2 Walk 4.

It may all seem a little convoluted; plan is to - after checking the directions on Saturday - to merge the 4b and 4c options into the CW2 Walk 4 pdf download.

Download directions required:

For the first section of the walk up to [4] in CW2 Walk 4 [link to option 4c].
Second section of the walk from [4] in CW2 Walk 4 [Link to CW2 Walk 4]

Lunch at Cock & Rabbit, The Lee. T=2.4c
  • Wed, 10-Jan-18

    Intend going.

  • Sun, 14-Jan-18

    14 on a dry still and overcast day. 4 with packed lunches opted to set off early from The Lee, leaving the remainder of us to enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Cock and Rabbit.

Sun, 03-Dec-17 : Sunday Walk: Chesham Circular 8
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Chesham Circular, Book 2 walk 4 (variant)
11.8 km 7.3 miles
3/10
Take the Met Line all the way to the Chilterns. Sweeping views, big trees. Not too long.
Travel:
Get the Metropolitan line to Chesham from Baker Street at 09:50 arriving Chesham at 10:44.
Trains return at xx:23 and xx:53
A Tfl zone 1-9 travel card will do you.
Tfl's Journey planner may help plan the journey from where you live.
Lunch: the Bell Inn, Chartridge 01494 782 878. I suggest phoning from the station.
Tea: Several places are listed: The quirky Drawing Room in Frances Yard 01494 791 691 is a favourite - it appears to be open till 5 but advisable to phone and check.
Directions: You need two sets of directions, both from this page
- the main Chesham to Great Missenden directions (on the "Download Walk" button). You follow these as far as point [4]. Apologies to anyone who did this stretch on Tuesday evening - but at least you now have a chance to see it in daylight.
- and the Chesham Circular directions (on the "Chesham Circular" button) for the rest of the walk.
T=2.04.b
  • Anonymous
    Sun, 03-Dec-17

    anyone is coming to this walk?

  • Gabriella
    Mon, 04-Dec-17

    Oh dear, I'm such a dingbat, I came yesterday but somehow I managed to walk off with wrong hiking group ! When I realised my mistake I ran back to the station, but everyone from SWC had gone, and then I discovered that I'd left my smart phone at home so didn't have the instructions for the walk in order to follow you. Luckily all was not lost, I found a pleasant circular 9 miler to Little Missenden and back, and did that instead. I trust that you enjoyed your day and apologise if anyone was worried about me, and have learnt my lesson to always heed the first rule of Saturday Walkers Club !

  • Wed, 13-Dec-17

    8 cloudy but dry. Bell Inn was busy but squeezed us in. Six had an excellent tea in the delightfully quirky ambiance of The Drawing Room.

DAC
CW2 4a - Chesham to Great Missenden
Length: 9.5km (5.9 miles)
Catch the 17:59 Metropolitan line train from Baker Street to Chesham arr. 18:46, to meet at 18:50 prompt outside the the entrance Chesham Station.

Finish up at The Cross Keys for a drink / meal.

Trains from Great Missenden back to London xx:29 xx:59 until 22:59

T=2.4.a
  • Sat, 25-Nov-17

    Intend going.

  • Wed, 29-Nov-17

    3 night owls congregated outside the Chesham station for some nocturnal navigation under a three quarters moon with some nice surrounding stars . Our journey brought us across undulating terrain and through some woods in atmospheric low lighting...Mostly the route finding went smoothly aided by the fact that one in the party was very familiar with the route and the ambient light provided by the moon....Having kept a good pace, we arrived in Great Missenden at 9:15pm and enjoyed a tasty dinner at the Cross Keys before catching the last train back to London just before 23:00. Definitely a different and fun night out!

Sun, 18-Dec-16 : Sunday walk 1 Chesham Circular ?
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Chesham Circular, Book 2 walk 4 (variant)
11.8 km 7.3 miles
3/10

Take the Met Line all the way to the Chilterns. Sweeping views, big trees. Not too long.
Travel:
Get the Metropolitan line to Chesham from Baker Street at 09:50 arriving Chesham at 10:46. TfL's journey planner may help with your overall journey.
Trains return at xx:23 and xx:53
A zone 1-9 travel card will do you
Lunch: the Bell Inn, Chartridge 01494 782 878. I suggest phoning from the station. With Xmas being so close, pubs may be busy today. You might want to pack a snack or two just in case there's any problem.
Tea: Several places are listed in Chesham : The quirky Drawing Room in Frances Yard 01494 791 691 appears to be open till 5 but advisable to phone and check.
Directions: You need both the Book 2 walk 4 directions (as far as point [4]) and the extra directions for the circular.
T=2.4
  • Anonymous
    Sat, 17-Dec-16

    anyone plan to go to this walk?

Sat, 19-Nov-16 : Third Walk 5
DAC
DAC
CW2 Walk 4 - Chesham to Great Missenden
Length: 15.5 km (9.6 miles). Toughness: 3/10

Catch the 9:50 Metropolitan line train from Baker Street (Aldgate: 9:32), arrives Chesham 10:44.
Return from Great Missenden xx:29 xx:59 until 22:29 T=2.4
  • Thu, 17-Nov-16

    Intend going.

  • David Colver
    Sun, 20-Nov-16

    5 on this walk, in decent sunshine for most of the day .

    In the pantheon of SWC walks, this ranks in my view at the dull end of the spectrum, with little variety in the scenery and nothing much interesting to see. It does have the virtue that it's easy to reach, Chesham being at the end of the Metropolitan Line. Even that advantage failed it on Saturday, with disruption on the Metropolitan, District and Circle lines, some pre-advertised, some not, leading me to arrive too late at Baker Street for the appointed train, and, I learned later, that train not to appear.

    So I took a later combination of trains and walked alone. Just outside The Cock and Rabbit Inn in The Lee there is a worm hole that is the entrance to a time warp, taking one back a number of decades to an era where life was simpler. In that distant corner of space and time I found another SWC regular, who had chosen to devote the afternoon to retracing the morning's route.

    He reported that he and three others eventually got to Chesham, only for the group to dissolve before it left the station, with a couple slow to move off the platform, him going back to find out what was delaying them and hearing that they were looking for a lost travel pass and would likely go no further, and then discovering that the fourth individual had given up waiting and moved on ahead, never to be seen again. It's therefore likely that three individuals did this walk, or variations of it, separately, and two returned to London without starting. There may have been others who got not further than Baker Street.

    Cafe Twit in Great Missenden had chocolate cake, which was agreeable, and many excited small children, less so. I think I might recommend the quieter branch of Costa Coffee, further along the High Street on the corner of the road to the station.

Mr M Tiger
Chesham Circular, Book 2 walk 4 (variant)
11.8 km 7.3 miles
3/10

Take the Met Line all the way to the Chilterns. Sweeping views, big trees. Not too long.
Travel:
Get the Metropolitan line to Chesham from Baker Street at 9:50 arriving Chesham at 10:46.
Trains return at xx:26 and xx:56
A TFL zones 1-9 travel card will do you
"pack a snack or two, just in case"
Lunch: the Bell Inn, Chartridge 01494 782 878. I suggest phoning from the station. With Xmas being so close, pubs could be busy today. You might want to pack a snack or two just in case there's any problem.
Tea: Several places are listed: The quirky Drawing Room in Frances Yard 01494 791 691 is a favourite - it appears to be open till 5 but advisable to phone and check.
Directions: You need two sets of directions, available from here : the Book 2 walk 4 directions on the "download walk" button, AND the extra directions on the "Chesham Circular" button.
  • Sun, 20-Dec-15

    5 on this walk; cloudy and mild . Nice winter outing and not too muddy except for the last field before the pub which has an unavoidable tractor created mud-filled track bisecting the route. At least there was not so much cattle churn as I remember from a previous winter outing. After our sandwiches I and another picnicker decided to press on at the lunch pub as the weather looked to be closing in and to be frank neither the Bell (which was almost empty) nor the village of Chartridge are places, in my view, you really want to linger. We two got back to Chesham around 2.15pm and my companion went to catch the tube whilst I lingered in a cafe for coffee and a perusal of the Sunday papers.

    I hope the 3 pub-lunchers were served quickly and got back to Chesham before any rain set in.

  • Sun, 20-Dec-15

    Additional point: the Chesham circular walk has no gpx route so I may add this if the walks deviser is ok with this?

Walker
Book 2 Walk 4 - Chesham to Great Missenden
Length: 15.5km (9.6 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10

9.42 Metropolitan Line train from Kings Cross (9.50 Baker Street) to Chesham, arrive 10.45

Best ticket: a zone 1-9 (yes NINE) travelcard, which you can buy from London Transport ticket offices (or presumably machines), but not usually from British Rail ones. You can get a Network Card discount on this, but only if you buy it from a ticket office (admittedly, hard to find one open these days), not from machines. This travelcard can also be bought up to a week in advance (though some ticket office staff are incredulous of this fact).

Then buy a single from Great Missenden to Amersham for the return journey.

You can also use Oyster to Chesham but then you have to either pay the whole single fare from Great Missenden to Marylebone on the way back, or get out at Amersham to tap in and then wait 20 minutes for the next tube train.

For walk directions bring book two or click here.

Its length means this pleasant and undemanding Chilterns walk is often confined to the winter months, when paths, especially in the afternoon, can be rather muddy. But that is a pity, as it has many charms and should make a nice easy outing for this time of year, when paths are a lot drier (even if it rains this week as forecast: evaporation rates are still pretty good and rain soaks away quickly into the dry ground.)

The morning is particularly scenic and you have the prospect of a pub serving Italian food for lunch that has always been popular with SWC walkers (in winter we don't usually get to try out its garden, however, supposed to be nice). In Great Missenden the lovely Cafe Twit is a great tea stop if you can get there in time.

Trains back from Great Missenden are at 19 and 49 past till 19.19, then hourly at 19 past.

  • Sun, 20-Sep-15

    9 on this walk with blue skies and a warm sun . Delightful Chilterns scenery passing an Ostrich farm in the morning and then lunch in the gardens of the Cock and Rabbit.

    The Twit Cafe at the end of the walk provided great value refreshments to most of the group before they headed of to the station, some visiting the Banardos charity shop en route.

    One walker was able to perform the Amersham "Touch in Manoeuvre" which involved a dash off the train at that station, followed by an out then in barrier circuit and a leap back onto the train.(I understand this stops a user's oyster card acquiring a maximum charge for the day)

    Other walkers on the train were suitably impressed