The Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a wonderful place to take a holiday in England, especially if you are arriving from abroad and would like to get to get a taste of what it means to be English. A range of hills called the Chilterns stretches from Luton (where there is a convenient airport) in a south westerly direction towards Hugh Wycombe and Reading. Gently undulating countryside is mainly set out in farms and small woodlands and dotted with small towns and villages at intervals. At its southern end, the Chiltern AONB merges seamlessly with another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the Wessex Downs.
View holiday cottages in the Chilterns
There are many good places to see throughout the Chilterns. Ashridge Forest is an expanse of woodland that is very popular when bluebells flower in stunning blue carpets on the forest floor. A visitor centre and other amenities welcome visitors. It is common to spot rival deer interlocking antlers during the autumn.
Places to visit in the Chilterns
The excellent Whipsnade Zoo is located in between the villages of Dagnall and Whipsnade. Animals are kept in large enclosures that give the illusion of a natural habitat.
Tring and Berkhamsted
The villages of Tring and Berkhamsted are little gems that attract commuters because they are on the mainline into London. Both villages have lengthy histories and plenty of ancient buildings that give the towns their character. Both are considered middle class places to live which is reflected in the price of houses and the independent shops. There is also an offshoot of the Natural History Museum in Tring. Find quaint pubs for lunch in both of these villages. ‘The Boat’ and ‘Rising Sun’ pubs in Berkhamsted both overlook the canal and colourful longboats. They offer picturesque places to eat and share food with the ducks.
People who love to walk may want to know that the Icknield Way follows the course of England’s oldest road from Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring all the way to Thetford Forest in Norfolk.
Woodland Fun for all ages
A pleasant place for family walks is at Wendover Woods. Numerous way-marked trails through the woods are suitable for all abilities. There is also a very popular Gruffalo Trail for little ones. People who like a physical challenge may wish to climb a few trees and zoom down zip wires at ‘Go Ape’. Take a picnic, go mountain biking or enjoy lunch at the café.
Country pubs
Take care if exploring in the Chilterns because some of the country lanes are very narrow and would test anyone’s ability to reverse in a straight line. A 16th Century Inn, the Old Swan, lies down narrow lanes in the village of Swan Bottom. Beautifully beamed and oozing ancient character, the inn serves up fine food in its restaurant. This would be a delightful place to visit for a special meal and to soak up the ancient ambience during your holiday in the Chilterns.
Gracious country living
If you like the idea of seeing idyllic life in the Chilterns, take a slow drive down Ballinger Lane and spot the farms, houses with horses in paddocks and country houses standing in extensive gardens. At the bottom of Ballinger Road, take a right and drive through the hamlet of Heath on to Great Missenden which was the home town of the children’s author Roald Dahl. His former home is now a museum. Walk down the High street to take in the charming mix of England through the centuries in architecture.
The River Misbourne flows past the town, to Little Missenden and on to the lovely town of Amersham. There are three downloadable circular walks that would help in exploring the Missenden area.
The Chiltern Open Air Museum may be of interest to families with young children. This takes visitors back in time so that they can experience life as it used to be in the Chilterns. Run as a charity with a large base of volunteers who take part in various historical re-enactments, the museum offers a very good day out and a little history about the area.
Surrounding the various ancient towns and villages is lovely countryside. There are many more places to visit such as stately homes, Wycombe Air Park, nature reserves and lots more charming villages.
Another huge advantage of taking a holiday in the Chilterns is the ease of travel into London for a day out or two. This really is an ideal holiday destination that allows a gentle discovery of middle-class England in a rural setting.
Rural breaks for beginners
In many respects, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty like the Chilterns are good introductions to a holiday in the country because they are relatively small in comparison to national parks and much more populated. There are plenty of rural pursuits, good walks and places to picnic but also towns with entertainment facilities and shopping. They could be described as rural holidays for beginners who are not sure whether they would like experience.
Book a country cottage and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Chilterns.
