Hawthorn Lane and Lord Mayor’s Drive, Slough, Buckinghamshire SL2 3TE
Burnham Beeches
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
7.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.8Ancient beech woodland shaped by pollarding, with veteran trees, deadwood and historic features including an Iron Age hill fort and Hartley Court Moat.
This is more than a large patch of woodland: the pollarded veteran beeches give Burnham Beeches a distinctive, timeworn character, while historic features add purpose to a walk among the trees. A sourced 6.3 km circular route links several of its highlights.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapHawthorn Lane and Lord Mayor’s Drive, Slough, Buckinghamshire SL2 3TE
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Follow a circular woodland walk and make time for its veteran trees and historic features. The supplied route information gives a 6.3 km loop taking an estimated 1–1.5 hours, with 68 m of elevation gain.
Things to do
Walk the historical and scenic circular
A 6.3 km loop, mostly on main footpaths, taking in woodland, ponds, Druids Oak, an Iron Age hill fort and Hartley Court Moat.
1–1.5 hours
Look for pollarded veteran beeches
Notice the characteristic pollarded trees and veteran beeches that distinguish the woodland. The supplied source describes these as a defining feature of the reserve.
Pause by the ponds
The historical circular passes ponds; AllTrails identifies Upper Pond as a point of interest. The evidence does not establish permission for water activities.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–1.5 hours
Quick escape: the historical circular
- 01
Start from the Burnham Beeches car park; check parking charges before setting off.
- 02
Follow the 6.3 km historical and scenic loop on the main footpaths.
- 03
Look out for Druids Oak, the Iron Age hill fort and Hartley Court Moat.
- 04
Expect possible mud after wet weather; take care if walking with a dog where livestock may be present.
Half day · Allow half a day; the sourced circular itself is estimated at 1–1.5 hours
Make a half day of the woodland
- 01
Walk the historical circular route, allowing time to pause at the veteran beeches and listed historic features.
- 02
Spend extra time observing the woodland and ponds along the way; keep to the main paths described in the route source.
- 03
Make any food or further-stop plans separately: no nearby venue or facility is verified in the supplied sources.
Verified history
The supplied route description identifies an Iron Age hill fort and Hartley Court Moat among the features encountered on the circular walk. Tripadvisor describes Burnham Beeches as ancient beech woodland with pollarded and veteran trees, but the supplied sources do not provide dates or further verified histories for the named features.
Hidden details
Druids Oak — The route source calls Druids Oak probably the oldest tree in Burnham Beeches. Treat that as the source’s qualified description; no age or independent verification is supplied.
Hartley Court Moat — A named historic feature on the Burnham Beeches historical circular, alongside the Iron Age hill fort.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources; check conditions before visiting.
The supplied material describes autumn walks and notes that winter or post-rain paths can be muddy. It does not establish precise seasonal wildlife or flowering peaks.
The historical route source warns that some paths can be muddy in winter and after wet weather; wear suitable footwear.
The route
- ascent
- 68 m
- surface
- Main footpaths; can be muddy in winter and after wet weather
- distance
- 6.3 km
- duration
- 1–1.5 hours estimated
- difficulty
- Moderate
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Burnham Beeches car park
- parking start
- AllTrails says parking fees are mandatory to access the car park; check current charges.
- Druids Oak, described as probably the oldest tree in Burnham Beeches
- Iron Age hill fort
- Hartley Court Moat
- Woodland and ponds
What to look for
- 01
The pollarded veteran beeches
- 02
Druids Oak, described by AllTrails as probably the oldest tree at Burnham Beeches
- 03
and the Iron Age hill fort and Hartley Court Moat on the historical circular route.
The story
Ancient woodland and historic features, including an Iron Age hill fort and Hartley Court Moat.
Best time to go
Autumn for woodland colour; cooler months may suit walking, though paths can be muddy after wet weather.
Autumn is a good choice for woodland colour. After wet weather, allow for muddy sections and wear suitable footwear.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
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 public nature reserve with walking and cycling trails. The source listing reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance; check current access conditions and parking arrangements before travelling.
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Parking
Car parking is available, but AllTrails reports that parking fees are mandatory. Check current fees and arrangements before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
AllTrails reports that livestock may be present on parts of the route and advises caution with dogs. Check current site rules and signage.
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Accessibility
The source listing reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. Trail surface, gradients and the accessibility of particular routes are not established by the supplied evidence; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid parking reported; check current charges
Check before visiting
Water
Ponds, including Upper Pond; no evidence supplied for swimming or paddling permission.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Burnham Beeches
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
