The lost forest of Bernwood

High on a hill commanding stunning views over the Vale of Aylesbury, the Buckinghamshire village of Brill looks down over woodlands, pasture, meadow, healthland and villages that once made up the medieval Royal Forest of Bernwood.

Your country escape

A circular detour from the Bernwood Jubilee Way, the 61-mile waymarked walk which showcases such fascinating survivals as "ridge and furrow" fields, a deserted village and old-world cottages with witchert walls. Parking by the windmill at Brill, or the Red Lion pub, make your way to Tramhill adjacent to Temple Farm. From here, the Jubilee Way turns left into a small passageway opposite the Fire Station, next to the Magistrates' Court. At the cricket pitch it turns right, towards a linear earthwork, possibly the ruins of Brill's former royal palace. Follow the Jubilee Way along Church Street to the village green. Bear left here along Brill Road than take the narrow footbridge on the right of the road that runs between a group of houses. Continue over a stile into a narrow paddock; cross another stile at the furthest end and bear right along the track towards South Hills, with fine views of Brill's post-mill. Skirting around a small cottage, with the windmill behind you, the path descends through three open fields, crossing stiles. Passing through a narrow strip of woodland and scrub, it emerges in a country lane beside Span Green and Touchbridge with more excellent views of Boarstall and Muswell Hill. Turn left here and follow the road downhill to meet the junction with the B4011. Crossing the road, the path runs through an overgrown area of scrub and westwards through two more fields to Manor Farm.

Head on south through the village to Boarstall Tower and the church. Crossing the road opposite the church, return to Brill heading south via pasture and arable fields and Boarstall Woods to the main B4011 road. Cross the road to rejoin the footpath opposite Boarstall Wood Cottage. The walk returns to Brill along Span Green arriving at Touchbridge where you can retrace your steps back to Brill. Why not end your walk at a The Pheasant or The Red Lion for a refreshing drink?

Fact file

Circular walk Distance 5.5 miles; way-marked with symbol as illustrated. Map ref: OS - Landranger Map 165. Details of this and nine other walks are found in The Bernwood Jubilee Way Guide Book, price £7.50, available from Buckinghamshire Countryside Website,
email Countryside@buckscc.gov.uk or
Tel. 01296 382165.

To complete your stay you might also visit:
Stowe Landscape Gardens (NT);
Buckingham Old Gaol and Chantry;
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton;
Claydon House (NT);
Waddesdon Manor (NT);
Roald Dahl Gallery, Aylesbury.

Tourist Information Centre
Aylesbury:
8 Bourbon Street,
Aylesbury
HP20 2RR
Tel: (01296) 330559

Buckingham:
The Old Gaol Museum,
Buckingham
MK18 1JX
Tel: (01280) 823020
Website: www.visitbuckinghamshire.org

How to get there: public transport links from Aylesbury, Buckingham, Oxford and Thame.

Claydon House (National Trust)
Middle Claydon,
nr Buckingham,
Buckinghamshire
MK18 2EY
Tel: 01296 730349; 01494 755561 (Infoline)
Fax: 01296 738511;
Email: claydon@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Set in a lovely elevated location in unspoilt countryside, this Georgian country house is decorated in fine Chinoise and Rococo style with intricate wood-carvings and a spectacular parquetry staircase. It contains many mementoes of Florence Nightingale, who was a regular visitor. Open: March - end Oct.

Hughenden Manor (National Trust)
High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire
HP14 4LA
Tel: 01494 755573; 01494 755565 (Infoline)
Fax: 01494 474284;
Email: hughenden@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
The home of Benjamin Disraeli, Queen Victoria's favourite prime minister, displays fascinating memorabilia including his personal belongings, furnishings and paintings. Hughenden's colourful gardens were designed by Disraeli's wife, Mary Anne. Open: House, March - Nov (open Dec, for tours only); Gardens, March - Dec.

Stowe Landscape Gardens (National Trust)
Buckingham,
Buckinghamshire
MK18 5EH
Tel: 01494 755568 (Infoline); 01280 822850 (Enquiries Mon-Fri)
Fax: 01280 822437;
Email: stowegarden@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Europe's most influential landscape gardens boast over 40 monuments, temples and secret corners in a breathtaking setting of ornamental lakes, wooded valleys and spectacular views. Enjoy miles of walks and trails through the gardens and surrounding parkland. Open: all year.

West Wycombe Park (National Trust)
West Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire
HP14 3AJ
Tel: 01494 513569 (April to Aug); 01494 755573 (Hughenden Estate Office)
One of England's finest theatrical and Italianate houses, set in Rococo landscape gardens, this was the 18th-century home of Sir Francis Dashwood - founder of the Hellfire Club. Pretty West Wycombe village and its Iron Age hill fort are also National Trust. Open: Grounds only, April - end May; House & Grounds, June - end Aug.