Guide to the Amersham Chess Valley Walk
Sweeping valley views, the tranquil River Chess, quaint towns, wildlife, waterfalls and farmland, the Amersham Chess Valley Walk is one of the best day walks near London. Continue reading for everything you need to know.
One of the best things about London is how much greenery surrounds it! Even in the city itself, it’s easy to escape to one of London’s best parks and feel a world away from the hustle and bustle.
Approximately half an hour from Central London is Epping Forest, an ancient woodland with some gorgeous spots such as Leyton Flats and not much further is some of England’s best countryside, including the Chess Valley!
The Chess Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s characterised by varied landscapes including rolling English countryside, quaint towns and villages, the tranquil River Chess, waterfalls, sweeping valleys and farmland.
The Amersham Chess Valley Walk encompasses all of the above and is one of the best day walks near London, so if it’s your first time here, it’s a great walk to get started on. Continue reading for our complete guide.
We’re going to start off this guide with some of the logistics, then move on to a step-by-step route and finally some other questions that you may find useful. Feel free to use the contents to navigate as you like.
Contents
How Long is the Amersham Chess Valley Walk?
The Amersham Chess Valley Walk is 17.7 kilometres and took us four and a half hours including lots of stops for photos, snack breaks and time for Plum to make an impression on some cows (more on that later!).
The hike is rated as moderate, although we found it fairly easy. There was only one slight incline.
How do I get to the Trailhead?
There are a few ways to reach the Amersham Chess Valley Walk and as it’s a circular route, there aren’t any logistical issues like you’ll often experience with a point-to-point trail.
The walk starts and ends at Amersham Station which is at the end of the Metropolitan Line. Alternatively, there’s a 24-hour car park at the station which you’ll need to pay for Monday – Saturday. Costs can be found on the Buckinghamshire Council website.
Our Top Tip: there are plenty of residential streets in Amersham where you can park free of charge. We parked on Orchard Lane as it’s permit-free on Saturdays. The route also goes past this road so it wasn’t off the trail.
Can I Take My Dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome, however, there are a few places they’ll need to go on the lead because of farms and other animals. We’ll let you know where in the step-by-step guide below.
You’ll also sometimes need to walk along main roads and small country lanes, but there’s usually a fence before you reach it so you have plenty of notice to grab your pooch.
Is There Anywhere to Eat En Route?
If you do this walk in reverse, you’ll end in Amersham where there are plenty of cafes and restaurants. En route, there isn’t so we’d recommend bringing a packed lunch. There’s a Tesco outside Amersham Station and cafes/bakeries as you walk through the town.
Our Top Tip: if you have a car, there’s a cosy 16th-century village pub, Red Lion, in Chenies that’s worth a visit. We only stopped for a drink but the hearty pub grub looked and smelled delicious!
Step-by-Step Guide to the Amersham Chess Valley Walk
Head out of Amersham Station and straight across the road to Hill Avenue.
At the top of Hill Avenue, you’ll notice a replica of the Metropolitan Railway locomotive, paying tribute to the town’s links with the historic railway line.
Turn right onto Sycamore Road. When you reach Fat Face on the left, turn down the road in between there and JNP.
At the end of the car park, turn right and at the main road turn left before heading right down Lexham Gardens. Aim for the trees at the bottom.
At the trees, follow the path diagonally to your left and as you reach the main road, keep it to your left as you follow the path up through Chesham Bois Common.
When the main road bends round to the right, cross it and make your way down Mayhall Lane which will lead you onto a path through Chesham Bois Wood.
Now you’re out of Amersham town, the walk becomes a lot more scenic!
Continue along the trail through the woods and you’ll come to a field. Head diagonally across the field and you’ll see the path reenter the woods.
Head back into the woods where the trees feel slightly like they’re stalking you as they loom above.
After a while, you’ll reach a big clearing to a field. Follow the path leading to the diagonal corner; it was lovely and muddy the day we were here so it was impossible to miss!
At the bottom of the field, turn left onto the quiet country road. Follow it around to the right, walk down the hill and out onto the main road on your left (Fuller’s Hill).
Continue down the hill and turn immediately right once you’ve crossed the river (it looks more like a stream than a river but it’s actually the River Chess!).
Continue along this footpath for a little while as it follows the river.
This lovely and tranquil footpath will soon lead you to the Meads Water Garden which was one of our favourite areas of the Amersham Chess Valley Walk!
Paths intertwine with quaint wooden bridges over the river. We felt like we were in the enchanted forest!
Spend a bit of time meandering your way around these footpaths. This is the perfect place for a snack or break.
At the end of the Water Garden, you’ll reach the main road. Turn left at the roundabout by the shop ‘Neptune’ and onto the path running next to the river.
Follow this path to the Recreation Centre where you’ll see a bridge over to some large fields. Keeping the water to your left, walk through the fields until you reach the trees, where there’s a narrow path taking you to the river.
Now for the fun part…stepping stones! If it’s just rained, be careful as the stones can be very slippery. However, if you do fall in, the river isn’t exactly deep, you’ll just be a bit wet!
Our Top Tip: if you don’t fancy the stepping stones, a little further down the path is a smaller section of the river where you can easily jump across.
Continue through the woods and you’ll hear the unmistakable sounds of a waterfall.
It’s only a small waterfall, however, it was a nice surprise and contributed to the ever-changing landscapes of the Chess Valley making this one of the best day walks near London.
Continue along the path straight ahead, following the signs for ‘Chess Valley Walk’ and you’ll soon come to a bridge on the right. Cross the bridge, follow the path behind some buildings and you’ll reach a big opening to the rolling countryside.
Head through the gate and down the lane until you reach the road. Continue down the road towards Blackwell and through the field.
Our Top Tip: if you have a dog, keep them on a lead as there are horses in the next field that’s separated by an electric fence.
You’ll soon reach Blackwell where signposts point you toward the public footpath. Once you reach the quiet road, turn left and continue on the path towards Blackwell Farm.
Head through the fields and past the cowshed (again keep your dog on a lead here; Plum was NOT a fan of the cows when they came to say hello).
The next stretch of the trail is through fields which will lead into woods. The path is quite narrow but you can also walk on the other side of the fence through the field.
At the top of the hill, turn around for some stereotypical English countryside views.
Where the path forks, take the slight right and keeping the tree line on your left, follow the trail. You’ll soon see the River Chess to your right and the view across it and of the surrounding countryside is absolutely beautiful!!
This is definitely the highlight of the walk!
Keep following the path and admiring the views across the River Chess and you’ll soon reach the very grand Latimer Estate on your left. Ignoring the sign that says no peeking, have a sneaky peek, maybe take some photos and then continue on your way.
Once you’ve gone downhill, cross the road and continue on the path straight ahead.
Carry on through the fields until you reach Chenies Hill. Turn right, cross the bridge over the river and take the right at the fork in the road.
You’ll see the footpath head into Chenies Wood. Follow the signs for Chiltern Heritage Trail.
Continue along the trail in the woods for a few kilometres. There’ll be a few paths but keep following signs for the Chiltern Heritage Trail.
Now and again the trees will give way to gorgeous views across the valley to the Latimer Estate where you came from.
After a while, you’ll come out onto Raans Road by Chess Valley Lamb. At the end of the road, turn right at the roundabout onto Woodside Road and continue until you reach Chiltern Avenue.
Turn left along Chiltern Avenue and Amersham Station is on your left. You have now completed the Amersham Chess Valley Walk; one of the best day walks near London!
Everything Else You Need to Know for the Amersham Chess Valley Walk
Is the route easy to follow?
Yes, the Amersham Chess Valley Walk is really easy to follow. We used the AllTrails app and GPS but there were signposts the entire route. Follow the signs for the Chiltern Heritage Trail.
Are there any negatives to the Amersham Chess Valley Walk?
Overall, we loved this route; it’s one of the best day walks near London. The only downside for us was that there are several main roads to walk down at points which does spoil it a bit but you’re soon back in nature.
Do I need proper hiking shoes?
You don’t need proper hiking shoes, however, we wouldn’t recommend anything less supportive than trainers. Make sure your shoes have grip as some places can become quite muddy and slippery after the rain.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the Amersham Chess Valley Walk and we’ve inspired you to get out one weekend and see it for yourself. If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a message or leave a comment.
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