Walk 25 - From Chesham, at the Western End of the Metropolitan Line to Chalfont Latimer via Ley Hill
Walk Distance 11 Kilometres (7 miles)
Underfoot Footpaths and country tracks, may be muddy in winter or after rain.
Journey Time (from Central London to Chesham) 55 minutes
Getting Back to Central London Return by Metropolitan Line from Chalfont Latimer
Points of Interest Chesham, Ley Hill Pubs, Chess Valley
Refreshments - Cafes and pubs in Chesham, Pubs at Ley Hill
Opportunities For Shortening This Walk - Walk can be shortened by making it circular back to Chesham. At point A turn right instead of left and walk back to the station.
Route Directions
1. Upon leaving Chesham Station go straight ahead on a road called The Backs. Pass some car parks and the back entrance of a supermarket. At the first junction (Whites Hill) turn right up some steps. Go across an entrance and continue steeply up for 50 metres. Turn right and go through a kissing gate. Enter a field and climb to another gate clearly in sight. Behind you, there is a good view across Chesham. In the next field continue in the same direction to the brow of the hill (more views) and beyond to reach another gate. Turn left towards the corner of the field. Go through a gate, turn right and walk along an enclosed path. At the end, turn half left and strike out diagonally across a field. Cross a farm access track and go ahead to follow the left hand edge of a field.
2. Enter the next field and go straight on. (If the field has recently been ploughed you can turn left and follow its margin.) Reach the other side and go right for 30 metres. Turn left through a gap in the hedgerow and descend to a bridleway. Go straight across and climb the clear path on the other side. Reach the corner of a field and turn left with the hedge on your right. Go through a gate and continue in roughly in the same direction to reach Tylers Hill Road.Turn right on the road. Pass a hose called five bells and a brick built church. Upon reaching the gates of Cowcroft Grange, turn left along a track through some woods. Emerge on a road and continue for about 400m in the same direction to a junction. Turn right into Blackwell Hall Lane with no less than two pubs: the Crown and the Swan.
3. Upon leaving the pubs continue in the same direction to pass some houses on your right. After another 100m turn right onto a concrete farm track and where the track swings right continue ahead to the right of a hedge. Walk in the same direction through the edge of a wood. Ignore a path to the right. After passing a trig point in the hedge on your right (easily missed) the path emerges at a field entrance with a metal gate and (possibly) a large puddle. Go straight across and turn right through a wooden gate.
4. Descend diagonally across a large field with many oak trees. Go through a gate at the bottom. Turn right on a track for about 150m. Turn left on a signed footpath. Follow this footpath for 600m as it descends into the Chess Valley. Near the end of the path, with a road clearly in sight, turn left on a signed footpath to “Blackwell”. Go along the bottom edge of a field to a gate. Continue ahead and soon approach Blackwell Hall. Go right and reach a small road. Turn left for a short distance before leaving the road and going ahead on a footpath signed “Chess Valley Walk”.
5. Keep to the left of a hedge and walk straight ahead through a series of large fields with the field-edge on your right. At the end of the last field, go through a gate and follow the path diagonally left along the edge of a wood. Cross a stile to enter the adjacent field on your right. Turn left along the side of the field and climb the steep hill with the wood still on your left. You may notice that there is a parallel footpath on the other side of the fence, but, don’t worry, you are meant to be in the field. Take time to admire the views behind you. At the top of the hill continue along the perimeter of the field. Follow it where it turns right with the wood still on your left. Turn left at a corner to resume your previous direction along the side of the valley with good views River Chess opening up below you
6. After passing Latimer House Hotel on your left, reach a surfaced crossing track between fences. Turn right and descend towards the river. At the bottom, you will see the damn which creates the “Great Water”. Cross the bridge and go ahead through a field. Go straight across a road and enter another field. After 20m take the right hand fork and walk to the top corner of the field. Enter a wood and climb diagonally uphill on a clear path. Ignore a broad crossing track, and continue uphill in the same direction.
7. With the end of the climb in view take the right hand path at a fork and reach some houses at a point where there is clear road ahead At first, this is unsurfaced but it soon becomes a fully paved suburban street. Follow this road downhill, cross a main road, and continue your descent. Reach a T-Junction with a car park visible ahead and turn left. After 250m look out for the entrance to Chalfont & Latimer Station on your right.
