Summary                   

This is the next in a series of social-distancing walks across the Chilterns. This beautiful, stile-free walk features a nature reserve, beech woodlands and rich wildlife.

Length:                         6 miles (Allow 3 hours)

Start & finish:               The Old Kiln, Nettlebed RG9 5BA. Grid Reference SU 701 868

Access Information:     Easy walking on good paths. One gradual climb between the nature reserve and Park Corner. Stile-free and no gates.

Food & drink:               The White Hart pub and the Field Kitchen café in Nettlebed. On route there are picnic tables at Warburg Nature Reserve

Route

From The Old Kiln road, turn left along The Green and follow the narrow road to a junction. Bear left on a road signposted to Magpies. The road is tarmacked to start with, but later turns into a dirt road. At the end of this road turn left, and you have come to the Warburg visitor centre.

1. From the centre, continue along the main path through the Nature Reserve for 1.5km to reach a 5-way junction.

2. Carry straight on and follow this wide track for further 1.5km path all the way until you come to a lane. Turn left along the lane to the busy main road and then right for 50m to a wide track on the left.

3. Take this track and follow it alongside the wood and open field to reach a lane. Turn left, then turn right by Digberry Farm and walk along the lane to Huntercombe End Farm.

4. Just before the right-hand bend, turn left on a wide track through the farm buildings and follow the path (Bushes Lane) all the way until you see some houses on the left. Ignore the stile to the left and continue until there is a junction. Turn right and follow the path until you get to the road.

5. Turn right to walk alongside the allotments, until you come to the main road. Turn left and follow the short stretch back to The Green.

Points of Interest

Nettlebed is most famous for the manufacture of bricks, tiles and pottery. The Grade II listed bottle kiln was used for making bricks. Probably built in the late 17th century, it would have been one of a number in the area.

Warburg Nature Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves owned by Bucks, Berks and Oxon Wildlife Trust. In spring the woodland is awash with spectacular bluebells and wood anemones and a superb dawn chorus. In summer, the wide and chalk grassland are full of summer flowers, including pyramidal orchids. During the autumn there are glorious colours throughout the tree canopy, while down below grow the Chiltern gentians and an incredible 900 species of fungi. In winter, visitors can enjoy the magical frost along the valley bottom.