Walking short breaks & holidays in the Chiltern Hills, Thames & Oxford

So close to London - but yet far from maddening crowds

Mountains and high hill country they are not - but a walkers delight yes! The beautiful Chiltern Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty offer beautiful walking routes in any season and ones that can be walked without difficulty by young and old alike. The Chilterns just north west of London is bounded on the south by the River Thames and to its north by a long line of hills none are very high, nearby is the famous university city of Oxford; and, on the river Thames historic Windsor home to monarchs for centuries.

This beautiful countryside and its maze of hundreds and indeed thousands of miles of well kept footpaths is one of England's best kept secrets - an area renowned for its sweeping chalk grasslands and wild flowers, its magnificent beech woods, its sparkling chalk streams, deeply wooded valleys and quiet lanes that are perfect for walking and cycling. The Chilterns with its superb views, quiet hamlets, stately homes, heritage and culture and yet so close to London offers a unique walking holiday.

As a walking company we organise short breaks and holidays throughout the UK, but being based in the beautiful Chilterns we are determined to offer visitors an interesting and delightful range of short walking breaks and holidays in a diverse and culturally outstanding area.

Join us and enjoy the great beech trees, the flora and fauna, spot the majestic red kites that sweep and twirl overhead; walk parts of the Ridgeway a national long distance trail an ancient trading route; stroll along a section of Shakespeare's Way as it winds its way from Shakespeare's birthplace Stratford on Avon to the Globe theatre in London; or walk on our very own Chiltern Way a 172 mile spectacular that is a rover's delight. With us you will discover tiny hamlets and old churches, reflect on life as you stand in the grounds of iron-age forts or over a refreshing English beer in one of our traditional country pubs; and admire truly great homes and estates.  

We are truly spoilt for choice, and with royal Windsor and the university colleges of Oxford nearby our itinerary is not only based around the walks we know and love, but also on ones that reflect diversity and history. You will not be walking alone - but in the footsteps of some of England's most famous, including poets and authors galore. Rupert Brookes was a poet who celebrated England and the English countryside and his visits to the Chilterns inspired him to write the poem called The Chilterns which includes the evocative verse:

"I shall desire and I shall find

The best of my desires;

The autumn road, the mellow wind

That soothes the darkening shires.

And laughter, and inn-fires."

In developing guided walking holidays for the Chilterns, Thames and Oxford we are blessed, with walks achievable by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness, accommodation where we can develop fun, social community and friendships. Location.. location.. location - so far from the maddening crowds but yet so close to London, its airports and railway stations. Where else can you enjoy a walking holiday and combine it with an optional evening trip to London's famous west end theatres. Or, if you fancy an early start, a day trip to enjoy an iconic summit in the Brecon mountains of south Wales or a visit to the Peak District, its magical hills and dales in the very heart of England. 

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