Fast becoming a staple of the event calendar, The Chilterns Walking Festival Autumn event takes place from Saturday 06 – Sunday 21 October.

Organised by The Chilterns Conservation Board, the popular festival involves a programme of over 50 guided walks and activities at locations across the whole Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) stretching from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

There are specialist themed walks, and opportunities to discover lively stories, sample a local tipple and enjoy the scenic landscapes associated with the Chilterns. Some walks include ‘have-a-go’ sessions or chances to learn about the area’s wildlife, history and colourful characters, all led by enthusiastic volunteer walk leaders.

Highlights from the Autumn programme include:

• Go Batty – a bat spotting walk around the beautiful Box Moor Trust near Hemel Hempstead
• Iron-age defences – a series of walks exploring ancient historic hillforts across the Chilterns
• These little piggies – a guided trail around a miniature pig farm in Amersham
• Take the train for a walk – a day long linear walk between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough
• Trains and Towpaths – A linear walk from Aylesbury to Wendover
• Discovering Tring reservoirs – four reservoirs feeding the Grand Union Canal and a haven for wildfowl and fishing claims to fame
• The Marlow trenches – a walk uncovering Marlow’s history as a WW1 camp
• J.H Kennard walks – discover the distinctive Arts and Crafts style of the little known though hugely influential architect around Amersham

Each walk is guided by an experienced leader who knows the area well and is keen to share stories of the people and places that have shaped the countryside.

Chilterns Conservation Board People and Society Officer Annette Venters said “The Chilterns is a landscape with much more than beautiful views. The programme reflects this with walk leaders sharing their passion for history, local legends and wildlife, alongside opportunities to visit modern day operators from micro pig farms to breweries. There is a vast amount to explore and we want to encourage more people to do exactly that”.

Details of all guided walks and activities available in the autumn programme can be found from the end August on the website www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest.

Most are free of charge; some require a small fee which is clearly shown. To assist walk leaders with expected numbers, all walk places must be pre-booked via the website.