Coombe Hill, near Butlers Cross, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 0UR
National Trust – Chilterns Countryside
Viewpoint
Place photograph
6.0
Wildland
1–2 hours to half day
Time
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Cost
Big-sky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.0A broad Chiltern ridge, rare chalk grassland and woodland open onto panoramic views across the Aylesbury Vale. At Coombe Hill, a Boer War memorial marks the high point of a rewarding countryside walk.
This is more than a viewpoint: the Coombe Hill and Chequers circuit links panoramic ridge views with rare chalk grassland, woodland and the village of Ellesborough. The National Trust also manages other distinct countryside sites nearby, including Bradenham Estate and Watlington Hill.
Big-sky · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapCoombe Hill, near Butlers Cross, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 0UR
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The experience
Choose a short visit to Coombe Hill for the ridge and memorial, or take on the challenging circular trail to explore more of the surrounding countryside. The wider National Trust area includes several separate sites, so check their individual access and parking details.
Things to do
See the Boer War memorial
Visit the memorial on Coombe Hill, a prominent landmark on the ridge.
Take in the Aylesbury Vale panorama
The Coombe Hill and Chequers trail is described as offering panoramic views across the Aylesbury Vale.
Walk through chalk grassland and woodland
Explore the landscape on the circular Coombe Hill and Chequers trail, which includes rare chalk grassland and woodland.
2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick ridge-and-memorial visit
- 01
Start from Coombe Hill car park.
- 02
Follow the surfaced paths towards the ridge and Boer War memorial.
- 03
Pause for the views across the Aylesbury Vale, then return the way you came.
Half day · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes
Walk the Coombe Hill and Chequers circuit
- 01
Begin at Coombe Hill car park.
- 02
Follow the National Trust circular trail through the Chiltern landscape.
- 03
Take in the panoramic views, chalk grassland and woodland, and pass near Ellesborough village.
- 04
Return to the car park by the route.
Verified history
The National Trust identifies the Boer War memorial as a landmark on Coombe Hill. Its Chequers trail page describes the surrounding landscape as having been inhabited for thousands of years, but gives no further specific archaeological details.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · Early morning, especially at weekends when the car park can be busy.
Spring and summer offer the chance to see the chalk grassland in flower; clearer conditions make the ridge views more rewarding. The source does not specify peak flowering dates.
The trail includes steep sections and paths may become slippery. Check conditions before setting out and take a map; the National Trust recommends using a local 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey map alongside its route instructions.
The route
- surface
- Some paths can be slippery; the wider sites have steep slopes and rough paths. Coombe Hill has surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs.
- distance
- 7 miles (11.2 km); a shorter version is 6.5 miles (10.4 km)
- duration
- 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes
- difficulty
- Challenging
- route shape
- Circular
- start point
- Coombe Hill car park, grid reference SP 851062
- parking start
- Free parking at Coombe Hill; it can be busy at weekends. Nearest postcode HP17 0UR.
- shorter alternative
- The National Trust lists a 6.5-mile (10.4 km) shorter version of the trail.
- Panoramic views across the Aylesbury Vale
- Rare chalk grassland and woodland
- Ellesborough village
- Views of Chequers
- The Boer War memorial on Coombe Hill
Worth pairing with
Bradenham Estate
A separate National Trust countryside site described as having farmland views and beech woodlands around a village green. Check its parking and access details independently.
Watlington Hill
Another National Trust Chilterns Countryside site, with a National Trust car park at the top of Hill Road. Check current parking arrangements before visiting.
What to look for
Look for the Boer War memorial on Coombe Hill, the rare chalk grassland, woodland, and the changing views across the Aylesbury Vale. On the longer trail, look out for Ellesborough village and views towards Chequers.
The story
War & battle, Archaeology
Best time to go
Spring to autumn
Arrive early, especially at weekends, when the Coombe Hill car park can be busy. Spring and summer bring flowers to the grassland; clear weather gives the best chance of far-reaching views.
How long to spend
1–2 hours to half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Dogs · History 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
Coombe Hill has surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs, though the wider Chilterns Countryside sites have steep slopes and rough paths. Check current access and car-park information before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Free parking at Coombe Hill; the car park can be busy at weekends. Other National Trust sites have separate parking arrangements; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Dogs are welcome on the Coombe Hill and Chequers trail but should be kept on a close lead.
Accessibility
The National Trust states that Coombe Hill has surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs. Across the wider sites, paths can be steep and rough; check the detailed accessibility guide before travelling.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free parking at Coombe Hill; check other site charges before visiting.
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around National Trust – Chilterns Countryside
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph7.1Coombe Hill and Boer War Memorial
Coombe Hill, near Wendover, Buckinghamshire
0.4 km away
Place photograph4.7Cymbeline’s Castle Motte and Bailey
Ellesborough, Buckinghamshire, near Aylesbury
1.9 km away
