History of a Chilterns route
Dashwood Arms, Old Oxford Road, Piddington, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3BH
This walk starts and finishes at the village of Piddington near West Wycombe, which was created entirely for the workers at a new chair factory. Four different routes have been made up the hill to the west of the village. One road was a possible French invasion route plotted by King Charles II and another was a turnpike road that was made too steep for traffic. At the top of the hill is a large well-preserved medieval settlement which was investigated by the police coroner. And we discuss why this route was used over the Chilterns when there is a much easier flat route through to Princes Risborough. Plenty of other history anecdotes along the way, from all time periods.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 08 September:
- 1000
Location & directions
Dashwood Arms, Old Oxford Road, Piddington, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3BH
- Directions:
- Parking on Old Oxford Road , please be careful to not block this bus route.
- Contact on day:
- Simon Cains
- Telephone number:
- +447767610659
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Please pre-book via email.
- Booking contact name:
- Simon Cains
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking opens:
- 22 Jun 2024 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 05 Sep 2024 12:00 AM
Accessibility details
Need to be able to cross a 50mph road twice safely. Long hill climb of 90 metres, 1 in 12 slope. No stiles or kissing gates. The Dashwood Roadhouse pub should be open at 12, where we start and finish the walk. Booking advised for lunch. Before 12, the nearest public toilets are in West Wycombe HP14 3AH and Lane End HP14 3ES.
Additional information
Includes some social history ( small worker's village set up by the owner in 1903). History of the road network and the attempts to make an easier route up the hill. I will try to keep the explanations clear and interesting, not academic. I have written a book on this history, and have led these walks for several years.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 12
- Est. tour duration:
- 2 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
