Haddenham to Aylesbury via Waddesdon walk

25.3 km (15.8 mi), of which 7.5 km (4.7 mi) on tarmac or concrete . Cumulative ascent/descent: 367/370m.
For a shorter walk, see below Walk options.
Time: 5 hours 45 minutes walking time. For the whole outing allow at least 8 hours 30 minutes.

OS Landranger Map: 165 (Aylesbury & Leighton Buzzard) OS Explorer Map: 181 (Chiltern Hills North). HTP station, map reference SP 731 085, is 10 km south west of Aylesbury, 22 km east of Oxford, and 81m above sea level. Aylesbury Station, map reference SP 817 134, is 78m above sea level. Both are in Buckinghamshire.

6 out of 10

This walk through some scenic northerly parts of Aylesbury Vale combines tranquil stretches of the Thame Valley Walk with more energetic climbs and nice vistas in between, heading north through Upper Wichenden and the Rothschild’s Waddesdon estate, finally along a long tree-lined avenue up to Waddesdon Manor, situated on a prominent hill. After lunch at the Manor or in Waddesdon village, Eythrope Park (another Rothschild estate) is passed and the route follows the Thame River and Bear Brook into Aylesbury.
An extended visit of Waddesdon Manor House and Gardens can be combined with a bus service back to Aylesbury (for details see below Walk Options).

The Marsh Gibbon/Bicester to Aylesbury Bus routes 16/17 pass through Waddesdon and offer an option for a shorter walk, especially useful if planning an extended visit of Waddesdon Manor’s Gardens and Manor House. They take you to or from Aylesbury station (roughly hourly Mon-Sat). The nearest stop is at The Lion pub mentioned in the walk notes.
Waddesdon Manor also runs a Shuttle Bus to Aylesbury Vale Parkway rail station (one stop further up the line than Aylesbury and with less frequent service) mid-afternoon, for details see the ‘Arrival Information’ chapter on their website.

The walk also offers one Shortcut and two Alternative Endings:
one Shortcut just before lunch (cuts 2.5 km and 58m descent/re-ascent, 5/10 rating);
one Alternative Ending at Aylesbury Vale Parkway station, one stop further up the line than Aylesbury and with less frequent service (cuts 5.4 km and 2.2 km tarmac, 5/10 rating);
one Alternative Ending at a bus stop in Stone village (with a pub next door) for frequent services to Aylesbury (cuts 2.4 km and 2 km tarmac, 6/10 rating).

Haddenham & Thame Parkway (HTP) station is on the London Marylebone to Bicester main line. Aylesbury is on the Marylebone to Aylesbury line (also operated by Chiltern Railways), but is also served via a loop branching off from the Bicester line at Princes Risborough. Buy an ‘Aylesbury Return (any route permitted)’-ticket [i.e.: NOT an ‘Aylesbury (via Chalfont & Latimer) Return’], this covers the outward journey up to Princes Risborough. You might then have to pay on board for a single Princes Risborough to HTP extension (there are no barriers at HTP).
Journey times are between 34 and 51 mins to HTP and from 60 mins from Aylesbury, with up to three trains per hour Mondays to Saturdays, and up to two trains per hour Sundays.

Waddesdon Manor offers several options for lunch and/or tea, from formal service to food-to-go: the Manor Restaurant, Stables Café, the Summer House and the Coffee Bar.
The Five Arrows Hotel and Restaurant High Street, Waddesdon Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JE (01296 651 727). Lunch served Mon-Sat 12.00-14.15, Sun 12.00-15.30. The Five Arrows is located 13.6 km (8.4 mi) into the walk . It is a Grade II listed building at the gates of Waddesdon Manor built on the site of an old coaching inn. Its name is derived from the Rothschild family emblem of a shield surmounted by five arrows, pointing upward and tied with a ribbon. Each of the arrows represents one of the five sons of Mayer Amschel Rothschild, founder of the Rothschild dynasty, who were sent by their father to establish banking houses in the five financial capitals of Europe - Frankfurt, Vienna, Paris, Naples and London. Built in 1887 as part of Waddesdon Estate by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild it was originally used to accommodate the architects, craftsmen and artisans working on the Manor itself. It was designed by architect/builder, James Taylor, who lived locally in Bierton; in his own "authentic" English style of half timbering, elaborate Elizabethan chimney stacks, and wrought ironwork.
The Long Dog 116 High Street, Waddesdon Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JF ( 01296 651 320). Open Mon-Sat 12.00-24.00 , Sun 12.00-23.30. Food served Mon-Sat 12.00-21.30, Sun 12.00-21.00. The Long Dog is located 13.7 km (8.5 mi) into the walk and is the recommended lunch stop. It has small outside seating areas at the front by a busy road and at the back.
94 Coffee Shop 94 High Street, Waddesdon, Bucks, HP18 0JD (01296 706 360). Open 09.00-16.30 Mon-Sat and 10.00-16.00 Sun. 94 Coffee Shop is located 13.7 km (8.6 mi) into the walk.
The Lion 70 High Street, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0LB (01296 651 227). Open 17.00-22.30 Mon, 12.00-15.00 and 17.00-22.30 Tue-Thu, 12.00-24.00 Fri-Sat and 12.00-22.30 Sun. Food served 12.00-14.00 Tue-Sun and 19.00-21.00 (not Sun). The Lion is located 13.8 km (8.6 mi) into the walk and also offers accommodation.

The Rose & Crown 2 Oxford Road, Stone, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8PB (01296 747 790). The Rose & Crown is located at the end of the Stone Alternative Ending.
The Honey Bee Fairford Leys, Trenchard Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 7AA (01296 708 363) The Honey Bee is located 2.1 km from the end of the walk, and a Marston’s pub. Open Mon-Sat 11.00-23.00 and Sun 12.00-22.30. Food served Mon-Sat 11.30-22.00 and Sun 12.00-21.00.
Aylesbury Station Coffee Shop One4six Coffee Station Approach, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP20 1RU. Open Mon-Fri 5.00-18.30, Sat 8.00-14.00, Sun 9.00-13.00.

A plethora of options in Aylesbury City Centre (see Walk Directions pdf).