In stark contrast to the cold, snowy and greyness of my previous walk, there was now warmth, sunshine and blue skies. The start of my jaunt was to take my walking feet back down lanes once more, which I felt prepared for and any traffic that may cross my path. Shadows of tall trees dominated most of the way along “Slade Oak Lane”, sadly blocking out the delightful sunny weather. Making my way along the road, I was a little taken aback when I came across a tiny station named “Denham Golf Club”, how lovely a golf club with its very own station! The station has even had its famous 15 minutes when it was used as a location in 1960s TV Series such as “Man in a Suitcase”. The golf club was founded in 1910 and 2 years later the golf club successfully requested for its own station stop. As I made way onwards, there were numerous crossing places for the golfers, which gave me the opportunity to glance across the rather lovely golf course.
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| From 2016 – 30.04.2016 – Denham – Great Missenden |
The road soon passed beneath a bridge carrying a large motorway, it was pleasant change to be walking beneath one rather than walking across as I had done previously. Beyond the bridge I saw a campsite, or rather a scout camp which was hidden away from surburbia, I do hope that they do not hear the roar of traffic from the M40 just down the road! I turned away from the rural lane and followed the roads around into the pretty village of Chalfont St Peter. Chalfont St Peter gained its name after the local Church had been dedicated to Saint Peter in C13th, and was fully recognised in the local Manorial roles as “Chalfund Sancti Petri”. Opposite the church I spotted a sign which for “Best Kept Vilage”, Chalfont St Peter had held this title for quite a number of years, I was so happy I had not encountered mud on this occasion and trampled all the way through the heart of the village and ruined its lovely look on this occasion!
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| From 2016 – 30.04.2016 – Denham – Great Missenden |
Past the village, I came out to a lovely view of the local village common, Gold Hill. The open green was a great sight after the urbaness of the village and the dark overshadowed lane that I had just walked. Commanding views at the top of the hill was a beacon. Only a few days ago this would have been lit along with a large chain of beacons across the entire country to celebrate the Queens 90th Birthday, certainly would have been a lovely sight to behold. Walking onwards past the common my route was to take me back alongside roadway once more. I really do enjoy the lane names that I have started to come across during my walks, this time I had turned into “LongBottom Lane”, which sounded like a name from a Shakespearean play! It took me past Seer Green and Beaconsfield Golf Club. Eventually my route took me through Ledborough lane and on the outskirts of Beaconsfield.
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| From 2016 – 30.04.2016 – Denham – Great Missenden |
I did not walk into Beaconsfield on this occasion, leaving that for another time, I continued onwards. I found myself in “Knotty Green” and passing by the Red Lion pub looking very inviting. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to peer inside, which was a real shame. The Red Lion pub was once the local of the children’s author Enid Blyton, when she a resident in the area. The inn now has the “Enid Blyton Snuggery” with a library of her books to browse through in front of a real fire, how very civilized :-). As I progressed onwards the landscape of my walk changed quite dramatically, with rolling fields and hedgerows surrounding the road. Enjoying the pleasant scenery all around, walking the lanes was very enjoyable for this stretch of my walk. I turned into “Horsemoor Lane”, a very lovely sounding name, I almost expected Horse and Carts to meet me a long the road rather than any cars!
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| From 2016 – 30.04.2016 – Denham – Great Missenden |
The countryside soon met the a small village and pond, sighted on top of “Winchmore Hill”. “Gaude Water” as the small pool is known, has several possible ways the name could have been derived. It particularly intrigued me how the French word for a variety of pumpkins may have been one of the origins! Perhaps it was when locals started to reflect on the shape of this body of water being the same as a pumpkin! In later centuries tales of how the waters were used during Military Exercises by a variety of army personnel from a military training college to the Duke of Cumberland’s troops in the C18th. Whatever the origins of the ponds name it was very peaceful and pretty to look at 🙂 . Walking onwards from the pond, I found myself passing by a cricket match in full swing! I noticed that the local public house overlooked the small pitch, what lovely way to while way time whilst drinking a pint or two in the pub! With the sun shining down on everyone it was certainly a wonderful day for a great match of cricket, how very pleasant indeed!
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| From 2016 – 30.04.2016 – Denham – Great Missenden |
I continued onwards up to the hamlet of Penn Street, which looked very quaint and unassuming, but it probably wasn’t when it was used twice as a filming location for Midsomer Murders! The road took me away from Penn Street and onwards where it came to a junction in the road. I took the turning towards Beamond End, a small collection of houses and farm land. In C16th Beamond was granted to the Royal Nursemaid Sybil Hampden and David of Elizabeth 1 and her Brother Edward in 1553. The entire estate remained in the Penn Family for about 300 years, the land included Beamond, Penn and Mop End. From the Mid C19th the estate fortunes altered, land and houses were sold off. During the early C20th Beamond Farm cottages were empty, run down and derelict. Seeing the potential in them, they were bought by and restored as working diary farm until the 1960s, no longer a farm but at least it is still in good shape and lived in!
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| From 2016 – 30.04.2016 – Denham – Great Missenden |
Past the cottages I turned into “Beamond End Lane”, as I meandered my way along, the lane became narrower and narrower. The lane became a footpath at with hedges overhanging either side and the concrete road gradually being replaced leaves and mud. With no sign of traffic to even bother me at any stage, the lane was extremely enjoyable to walk. It was a nice surprise to discover that the lane crossed with the “South Bucks Way”, so perhaps I will be venturing this way again when I am able to investigate! Leaving the lane behind, I walked up towards the outskirts of “Little Missenden”, where I walked past a beautiful stone Church. The wooden lychgate that stood outside was built during the 1940s as a dedication to the Officers and Men who had been evacuated from Dunkerque during World War II. I decided not to walk into Little Missenden and head towards Great Missenden instead. Unfortunately, I found a bit of a struggle as my route took me down a main road! Eventually reaching Great Missenden I decided to end my walk for the day here.
All my photos for the walk are available by clicking on this photo below –
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| 2016 – 30.04.2016 – Denham – Great Missenden |
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