Turville Walk
This circular walk explores the countryside surrounding the Chilterns village of Turville. The walk makes use of the Shakespeare's Way and Chiltern Way waymarked trails to create the loop. It's a 13 mile route but can be cut down to about 8 miles without the excursion to Stonor Park and the Warburg Nature Reserve. There are some moderate climbs along the way, with the route reaching a high point of just over 600ft.
The walk starts in the village where you can pick up the Chiltern Way and follow it east past Turville Windmill and Turville Hill, where there are nice views back down to the village. You continue through Fingest Wood to Skirmett, Pheasant's Hill and the village of Hambledon. The village includes a noteworthy church which dates from the 14th century and includes a conspicuous memorial to Cope D'Oyley (who died in 1633) and his family. The post office in the village serves also as the local shop and cafe, so it's a good point in the walk to stop for refreshments.
At Hambledon you pick up the Shakespeare's Way and follow it north west through woodland and countryside to Southend. You then head west to Stonor Park which has a public footpath running through Balham Wood and to the south of the house. The fine country house was probably begun after 1280 when Sir Richard Stoner (1250–1314) married his second wife, Margaret Harnhull. The house has a 12th-century private chapel and the remains of a prehistoric stone circle are also in the grounds. It is open to the public on certain days and includes The Chilterns Pit Stop Cafe and a Visitor Centre.
After passing the park you continue west to visit Warburg Nature Reserve. The reserve is a lovely place for a stroll with lots of bluebells and wood anemones in the spring. In the summer months the site is rich with orchids including fly orchid and bird's-nest orchid.
After exploring the reserve the route heads east to return to Turville, via Stonor Park and Southend.
To continue your walking in the area you could head north west and visit Christmas Common and Watlington Hill. It's a popular area with walkers, with nice beech woodlands and the prospect of spotting red kites flying above the hills. Our Hambleden Walk will take you south to visit Hambleden Mill and lock on the nearby River Thames.
Turville Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Turville Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Turville OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Turville Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Bull and Butcher is a fine village pub where you can enjoy some refreshments after your exercise. They are known for their excellent homemade pies and a splendid large garden area for the summer months.You can find them in Turville at a postcode of RG9 6QU for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The woods and hills make for a fine dog walk and the Bull and Butcher mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The neighbouring village of Fingest is another picture postcard treat. Like Turville it has been used as a filming location for many films and tv series. In the village you'll find a 12th century church with a particularly noteworthy saddleback roof which is one of only two such designs in England. There's also a splendid 18th century pub just opposite the church. The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Windmill Walk visits the village after passing the well known local landmark. The mill was famously used in the 1967 film and is well worth a closer look.
Just to the north is the village of Ibstone where you can enjoy a walk along the boundary of the Wormsley Estate. The 16th century estate is well known for its cricket ground and is also a good place to look out for red kites.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Chilterns Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The Windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Turville Village
Turville Village from Turville Hill
Stonor Park and Balham's farm, this is a view from the footpath at the South of the park.
Stonor Park - Trees in open grassland either side of the main drive to the house. View from public footpath in the park
St Mary the Virgin, Hambleden
Stonor House from the Deer Park. It has been the home of the Stonor family for 800 years. It has a Roman Catholic chapel.
Visitor Centre at Warburg Nature Reserve
Bridleway leading from Warburg Nature Reserve