Hambleden - Skirmett - Hambleden

David and Chris Stewart

This is a free sample walk but you need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details. Join or log in above if you are already a member.

This delightful route in the heart of the Chilterns combines footpaths and tracks through surprisingly remote woods and fields. It ends with a gentle walk beside the Hamble Brook as it flows towards the River Thames. The walk start is around three miles from Henley-on-Thames.

There's a good pub - The Frog - a little over halfway round at Skirmett. There is also the option of the Stag and Huntsman pub in Hambledon as well as a well stocked shop in the village.

As you can tell from the walk number this walk has the distinction of being the very first Walkingworld walk. We used it to check that the format worked. The pictures do have a very 1999 grainy look having been taken on one of the earliest digital cameras. But as far as we know nothing significant has changed. The walk was fully checked by Andrew Long in April 2011. (Thank you, Andrew!)

England - Central England - Buckinghamshire - Chilterns

Features

Church, Pub, Toilets, Wildlife

1/19/2022 - Patricia Daw

We did this well directed walk on a cold day in January. I'd say about two weeks ago certain parts would have been impassable but today we could skirt round the worst patches. The walk is probably better in Autumn or Spring. We enjoyed it but the lack of colour meant it wasn't a wow walk. We had lunch in The Frog at Skirmett but the shop in Hambledon does hot drinks and made to order sandwiches and toasties. NB. You have to pay to park in the starting car park. It has loos. You could try and park in Hambledon and walk from there but parking spaces there were scarce.

12/28/2016 - Susan Abel

Lovely walk. We shortened it by going down the road past the winery from point 9 to 19 as the days are short now, but still had a lovely walk. Beautiful countryside and views. Dog friendly - one stile we had to lift him over.

6/6/2012 - Celia Sweeney

I was visiting the area early June 2012 and found this walk to be excellent. The combination of views and woodland made for an interesting ramble. The instructions were spot on and I would recommend this walk.

1/24/2012 - Julie Hoffenberg

Couple of points; the walk starts from the car park approaching Hambledon, not in the village itself. Also waymark 1 is around 50m from the car park entrance, don't go down to the T junction with the Marlow/Henley road (like we did). Finally at the time of writing the pub in Hambledon is closed for renovation.

4/18/2011 - Andrew Long

Walk revisited and updated by Andrew Long

5/25/2010 - J's Walks

Another great walk.. The walk is quite flat so the 16km doesn't feel that long. Stunning scenery and in some places, surprisingly remote. I loved it! I did a video so if you want to see the walk as I did. Search Youtube for J's Walks and you'll find my videos.

5/9/2007 - Walkingworld member

This is a stunning walk; we hardly encountered anybody but sheep (it adds to the fun being chased by a mob of angry furry friends..!) and saw so many red kites we lost count! The pub is lovely however unfortunately the service wasn't great (could be because it was really busy with dressed up people and we are two young hikers with a dog...)

9/25/2006 - C Howland

Our first walk from the website and with new shoes - both surpassed my expectations..! did this walk yesterday - fantastic a beautiful day and not a soul to be seen apart from hundreds of pheasants feeding off the sunflowers seeds. The pub in Skirmitt was a welcome sight after seven miles but well worth it. such beautiful countryside... well worth the effort...

5/10/2006 - Catherine Block

Did part of this walk recently and it takes you through some stunning scenery. It's certainly opened my eyes to this part of the Chilterns with its lush green hills and beautiful woodland. Can also highly recommend The Frog in Skirmett.

1/31/2003 - Hendrik Bebber

This is an excellent walk through fields, woods and along streams. We saw at least 4 red kites along the way. There's a good pub for lunch (The Frog in Skirmett) half way round. Luxters vineyard and brewery are also worth a visit.