Burnham Beeches, Slough, SL2 3TF, Buckinghamshire
Burnham Beeches Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Source image
6.9
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid parking is reported
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.9Among the beeches, a walk can turn from woodland exploration into a search for traces of much older landscapes: a veteran tree known as Druid’s Oak, a hillfort and the remains of a moat are all named as trail sights.
Burnham Beeches combines ancient pollarded beeches with ponds and archaeological features, giving a woodland visit more to discover than a simple circuit. Its historical trail links the landscape’s trees to a hillfort and moat; check current parking and access arrangements before you go.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapBurnham Beeches, Slough, SL2 3TF, Buckinghamshire
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The experience
Choose a short wander among the beeches or follow the historical circuit for a longer walk linking woodland, ponds and archaeological features. Routes may be muddy after wet weather; check access and parking details before visiting.
Things to do
Walk the historical and scenic circuit
A 3.9-mile circular route through the beeches, with ponds and named historical sights including Druid’s Oak, Seven Ways Plain Hillfort and Hartley Court Moat.
1–1.5 hours walking
Find Druid’s Oak
Look for the veteran tree identified as Druid’s Oak on the historical trail. The source describes it as probably the oldest tree in Burnham Beeches; treat that age ranking as an attributed claim, not a confirmed measurement.
Explore the accessible route
A Chilterns National Landscape access guide describes a surfaced route with seating and sections of varying gradient. Check the guide for route detail and current conditions before choosing it.
Pause by a pond
Ponds are among the features encountered on the historical trail; take a quiet stop where the route passes one.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A short beech-wood wander
- 01
Choose a suitable reserve path and spend a short visit among the beeches.
- 02
Pause by a pond where the chosen path passes one.
- 03
Check current access and parking arrangements before setting out.
Half day · About 1–1.5 hours
Historical trail circuit
- 01
Follow the historical and scenic circular trail described as 3.9 miles (about 6.3 km).
- 02
Look out for Druid’s Oak, Seven Ways Plain Hillfort and Hartley Court Moat.
- 03
Allow extra time for stops, and expect muddy sections after wet weather.
Verified history
The supplied route source identifies Seven Ways Plain Hillfort and Hartley Court Moat as features on the historical trail. It does not provide dates or a detailed account of their history, so further historical claims need checking.
Hidden details
Seven Ways Plain Hillfort — A named archaeological feature on the historical circuit. Look for the earthwork landscape rather than expecting a standing monument.
Hartley Court Moat — The route description identifies the remains of a moat as one of the circuit’s landmarks.
When to go
October · November · Earlier in the day is a reasonable choice for a quieter-feeling walk; no quieter-time data is verified.
A visitor review describes the beeches as especially attractive in autumn. The available sources also describe walking there throughout the year.
The historical trail may be muddy in winter and after wet weather. Check conditions and wear suitable footwear.
The route
- ascent
- 223 ft (about 68 m)
- surface
- Main footpaths; some paths may be muddy after wet weather. An access guide describes crushed-granite surfacing on its accessible route.
- distance
- 3.9 miles (about 6.3 km)
- duration
- 1–1.5 hours estimated walking time
- difficulty
- Moderate (as described by the route source)
- route shape
- Circular loop
- start point
- Burnham Beeches car park area, according to the route source; exact start pin not verified.
- parking start
- The route source says parking fees apply at the Burnham Beeches car park. Check current charges and arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- A shorter wander on reserve paths is possible, but a specific measured alternative is not verified.
- Ancient beech woodland
- Ponds
- Druid’s Oak
- Seven Ways Plain Hillfort
- Hartley Court Moat
What to look for
Look for the veteran tree known as Druid’s Oak, the ponds along the trails, the earthworks of Seven Ways Plain Hillfort and the remains of Hartley Court Moat.
The story
Ancient woodland and archaeological landscape
Best time to go
Autumn for beech colour; the reserve is described as a year-round walking destination.
Autumn is noted for beech colour. For a quieter-feeling visit, consider going earlier in the day; check current conditions and opening or access information before travelling.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers · Wildlife lovers · Families
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A nature reserve with walking trails and an accessible route described in a Chilterns National Landscape access guide. Check current access, route conditions and visitor arrangements before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking is described as paid at the reserve car park; check current charges and arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
A public toilet is listed in the supplied place information; check current availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are mentioned on the trail, with livestock grazing possible on parts of the route. Check current reserve rules and keep dogs under control; follow any lead requirements and signage.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
An access guide describes a surfaced route, seating and sections with differing gradients; some sections are uneven or steep. Check the guide and current conditions to choose a suitable route.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid parking is reported; other costs are not verified.
Water
Ponds and a lake are mentioned on the reserve’s walks. Swimming and paddling permissions are not verified; do not assume they are allowed.
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Burnham Beeches Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
