Coombe Hill, near Wendover, Buckinghamshire
Coombe Hill and Boer War Memorial
Viewpoint
Place photograph
7.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.1A Chilterns hilltop where a war memorial stands above broad views across the Vale of Aylesbury. The monument has been rebuilt after lightning damage and now bears a later stone plaque.
The appeal is the combination of an exposed Chilterns viewpoint and a memorial with a turbulent physical history. It offers a purposeful short hill walk, with Wendover’s historic town and shops providing a worthwhile extension.
Dramatic · Big-sky · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapCoombe Hill, near Wendover, Buckinghamshire
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The experience
Take the uphill walk to Coombe Hill Monument, pause for the wide views, then consider extending the outing into Wendover for its historic centre and refreshments.
Things to do
Walk up to Coombe Hill Monument
Make the hilltop memorial the focus of a short outing and enjoy the open views over the Vale of Aylesbury when visibility allows.
Not verified
Explore Wendover after the hill
Wendover offers a historic town-centre wander, antique and chocolate shops, and places to stop for refreshments. Its Clock Tower began as a market hall in 1842, according to the Chilterns National Landscape page.
Not verified
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow 1–2 hours; exact walking time is not verified.
Quick Escape: walk to the hilltop memorial
- 01
Start from the Coombe Hill National Trust car park, after checking current access and parking arrangements.
- 02
Walk uphill to Coombe Hill Monument.
- 03
Pause at the monument and take in the views across the Vale of Aylesbury, weather permitting.
- 04
Return to your start point.
Half day · Half day; timings are not verified.
Make a half day of it: Coombe Hill and Wendover
- 01
Walk up to Coombe Hill Monument and spend time at the viewpoint.
- 02
Continue to Wendover for a gentle wander around the market town and its historic buildings.
- 03
Choose a café, tea room or pub in Wendover; check current opening details before setting out.
Verified history
Coombe Hill Monument commemorates men who died fighting for their country. A supplied walking account describes it as a Grade II listed monument and reports that lightning almost destroyed it in 1938; it was rebuilt that year. Its original bronze plaque and decorations were stolen in 1972 and replaced with a stone plaque and iron flag. The monument suffered further lightning damage in the early 1990s and was repaired. The account also says the hill once formed part of the Chequers Estate and was presented to the National Trust in the 1920s. These details come from a walking blog rather than a supplied official heritage record.
Hidden details
Look for the replacement plaque and iron flag — The memorial’s present plaque and flag followed the theft of its original bronze plaque and decorations in 1972.
Notice the memorial’s history of lightning damage — The monument was rebuilt after a severe lightning strike in 1938 and later suffered another damaging strike in the early 1990s.
When to go
· Choose a clear day for views; no particular time of day is verified.
A visitor account describes a spring walk in sunshine, but the supplied sources do not establish a specific seasonal peak.
Visibility affects the views. Check the forecast and be prepared for exposed hilltop conditions; specific weather guidance is not verified.
Worth pairing with
Wendover
Pair the hill walk with Wendover’s historic centre, Clock Tower, antiques and chocolate shops, and cafés or pubs. Confirm opening details before travelling.
What to look for
- 01
At the summit, look closely at the memorial’s stone plaque and iron flag. The monument was rebuilt after lightning damage in 1938
- 02
its original bronze plaque and decorations were stolen in 1972, and it was badly damaged by lightning again in the early 1990s.
The story
War & battle
Best time to go
Clear days in any season for the views; spring is described by a visitor as especially lovely for a walk.
Choose a clear day for the broadest views. A spring morning is a good choice for a walk, though exact seasonal conditions are not verified.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
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 hilltop destination reached on foot; a walking account describes starting from the National Trust car park at Coombe Hill. Check current access and parking arrangements before travelling.
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Parking
A 2016 walking account reports using the National Trust car park at Coombe Hill. Check current availability, charges and access before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
No facilities at the hill are verified. Wendover has cafés, shops and pubs; check opening details before travelling.
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The destination involves walking uphill. Surface, gradients and step-free access are not verified; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Coombe Hill and Boer War Memorial
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
