Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill

Date of Adventure: 19 May, 2024

Walks with views are turning into a speciality for us, and this one is no different!

We are HUGE fans of the Chilterns and have been on so many walks around the area including Coombe Hill and the Chequers Valley Family Walk. It’s such a delightful area and the choice of walks is never-ending!

This walk to Beacon Hill took us from a playground to fields, footpath to hill with stunning views throughout. Let me tell you now, Beacon Hill hill is no joke: it’s 248m high and steep! From a distance it looks like a gentle slope but as you get closer is seems practically vertical. There is a step-style footpath to the top but I’m not sure it makes it much easier as you can’t beat the incline!

The hard work is worth it as you arrive at the top and turn around: spectacular 360 views across Aylesbury and into Oxfordshire and a feeling that you really are on top of the world! There are sheep and lambs grazing on the hill but they were pretty uninterested in us and didn’t disturb us as as stopped for a bite to eat on the hillside. Lots of busy wildlife too with Red Kites flying and swooping overhead and butterflies galore too.

There are lots of walks that include Beacon Hill as The Ridgeway passes by here but we only saw one person at the top of the hill; definitely much quieter that Coombe Hill. If you wanted to just climb the hill, there are probably closer parking spots nearby but we followed this route on the AllTrails app (free, I highly recommend) and walked 5 minutes from our parking spot to the start.

Just under 3k and worth every footstep!

 

AT A GLANCE

Free
Always open
No pre-booking required
No café
Not accessible due to gradient and terrain
32 minutes from Headington roundabout
Nearest train station is Little Kimble
We parked at Ellesborough Parish Hall where there is a playground
The details

Website

We parked at Ellesborough Parish Hall, Butlers Cross, HP17 0TU then walked 5 minutes to the start of the walk.

View on Google Maps

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Rear of The Victoria Arms leading to the river

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Oxford Preservation Trust bought the Victoria Arms pub in 1959 to save the nearly derelict building. Now fully renovated, this rural gem re-opened in 1984. It's still standing proud and serving Oxford’s pub-goers every day!

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