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ABOUT THE CHILTERN HILLS The Chiltern Hills form one of the most attractive areas of south east England. They cover four counties and combine beautiful scenery with interesting history and excellent amenities. Being within easy reach of London and other urban areas, this is an ideal part of the world to explore on a day trip or, preferably, over a weekend or longer. Dunstable Downs are popular with kite fliers, para-gliders and walkers. This is a good place for a family outing for, not far from here, is the famous Whipsnade Wild Animal Park and the nature reserve at Tottenhoe. At Whipsnade village look out for the "Tree Cathedral" - a wood planted in the form of a cathedral where a service is held annually. Moving along the hills, Ivinghoe Beacon and Pitstone Hill are great for walkers and nature lovers. Not only are there fine views but also an abundance of chalk-loving wild flowers such as orchids and cowslips and numerous unusual butterflies. Historic Pitstone Windmill stands beside the village of Ivinghoe and, nearby is delightful Aldbury - a typical old English village clustered around a pond. There's a green with some ancient stocks, pretty houses, old inns and a teashop. Ashridge park is an extensive wooded area belonging to the National Trust. It's thickly carpeted with bluebells in the spring and ablaze with colour in autumn. While here, look out for herds of wild deer. Interesting towns in this area are Berkhamsted with its castle ruins and Tring where you will find the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum with its amazing collection of animals, birds and insects - some, like the Dodo, now totally extinct. Pretty Wendover and the towns and villages along the Misbourne Valley are well worth exploring. The church at Little Missenden contains some lovely medieval wall paintings and Amersham Old Town is full of interest. At the old town hall a market is held regularly and here exhibitions sometimes take place such as the annual art exhibition by members of the Chiltern Painters. Also, the local museum is the place to go if you want to find out about the town's fascinating history. Chalfont St.Giles is one of the prettiest villages in Buckinghamshire. You can visit Milton's cottage - the "pretty box" to which the poet retreated during the Great Plague of London. While here he finished "Paradise Lost" and wrote "Paradise Regained". Just up the road is the Mayflower Barn said to be constructed from the timbers of "The Mayflower" which carried the Pilgrim Fathers to their new land. Nearby is the oldest Quaker Meeting House in the country where William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, lies buried. While in this area do not miss the Chilterns Open Air Museum with its wonderful collection of old buildings. Beaconsfield provides a special treat for children in the form of a model village called "Bekonscot". It reflects the peaceful life of the nineteen thirties when it was built. No detail is missing. There are houses, shops, a working railway, a fairground, castle, harbour with boats and much more. Here we all become giants in a Lilliput land! High Wycombe is famous for its windsor chairs. In the local museum (which is free of charge) you can see many different types of chairs and other interesting exhibits. The market town itself is a good shopping centre. Every May they hold an extraordinary ceremony, unique to this town and dating back to early times. Called "The weighing in of the mayor", it requires the mayor and all the charter trustees to be weighed publicly in front of the Guild Hall. This is to ascertain whether or not they have grown fat at public expense! Near to High Wycombe is the village of West Wycombe where you can explore the "Hell Fire Caves". Excavated by the eccentric lord of the Manor, Sir Francis Dashwood, it was rumoured that here he met with members of his notorious "Hell Fire Club". What they got up to here is a matter of conjecture! There's a pleasant café outside the caves where you can refresh yourself when you emerge from the murky depths. Another place to visit near here is Hughenden Manor, the magnificent home of Benjamin Disraeli. The ancient Icknield Way crosses the Chiltern escarpment providing a good route for ramblers. The highest point of the Chilterns is Coombe Hill from which point you can see "Chequers", the prime minister's country home. Further along, Whiteleaf Hill. above Princes Risborough, can be seen from afar as it has a mysterious white cross carved into the side. Here too is a Celtic burial mound. Watlington Hill commands magnificent views over the Oxfordshire plains. Around here you will find unusual clusters of yew trees - part of a once dense and ancient forest. The southern Chilterns are less populated and extremely beautiful. Some places to seek out are Nettlebed, Ewelme, Swyncombe, Hambledon, Fingest and Turville. Turville is so unspoilt that it is frequently used as a location for film and TV dramas.
With this video, all these places and many more can be viewed in the comfort
of your home and perhaps inspire you to visit them yourself. More
information about the Chilterns can be obtained from local Tourist Information
Centres and
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