FREE* HISTORICAL WALKS
AROUND WYCOMBE

WALKS SCHEDULE 2025

Sunday 30 March 10.30 

'Romans, Rivers, Riots and Rebels' 

A two waterways circular walk from Wycombe Lido car park, Bassetsbury Lane, High Wycombe HP11 1QX downstream to Kingsmead and back. Distance 2.25 miles in 2 hours. Find out who was the first English king to 'tweet', view the best preserved mill wheel on the Wye, walk part of the Brunel engineered railway line from Wycombe to Maidenhead and hear the story of the 1830 machine breakers riots.

OTHER WALKS

'High Wycombe unmasked!’ 

Flat walk round the centre of town starting at the red letter box at the railway station.  Distance 1/4 mile in 2 hours. See images of the original railway station and trains, learn how a US airbase in the town proved pivotal in winning the Second World War, view the oldest standing structure in Wycombe/hear about the mediaeval welfare state and discover the world renowned institution that started life here in 1799.

'Suffragists, Bodgers, Mosquitoes and Goals '

Starts outside Godstowe Preparatory School, Shrubbery Road, High Wycombe HP13 6PR for a walk down to the cemetery and west central Wycombe. Includes two short steep descents with a distance of 1.25 miles in 2 hours. Come and hear about local women's struggle for equal rights, discover the industry that made Wycombe famous throughout the world, learn about the town's serial criminal and why Wycombe Wanderers score in the Guinness Book Records.

'Walk the summer River Wye' 

Meet at Andrews Reach in Bourne End to walk the entire length of the 'summer' River Wye from Bourne End to West Wycombe Park. Distance 12 miles in 6.25 hours. Bring your own coffee and lunch. See where the Wye enters the Thames and walk up this urban but fascinating river past sites of historical interest. Chance to see egrets, wagtails, kingfishers and even a pterodactyl!  Beautiful finale setting by the lake at West Wycombe Park which American diplomat Benjamin Franklin described as paradise.

'Wycombe in 60 minutes'

This shorter, completely flat 1/2 mile walk starts at Pann Mill (HP11 1BJ) and finishes on the High Street and is suitable for buggies/wheelchairs/dogs. Hear about the prestigious school for girls which was evacuated to make way for US Bomber Command during World War 2, walk along what was considered the longest, broadest, grandest street in Bucks 250 years ago and see the house where Oliver Cromwell came to secret meetings during the Civil War.

'Chairmen and Chair Boys'

Starting at the Air Raid Shelter in Frogmoor. Walk under the railway viaduct towards Temple End before returning to Frogmoor and on through the town along Paul’s Row to Bucks New Uni and finishing on Queen Alexandra Road. 

Learn about the industry that made the town world famous whilst during the course of the walk Wycombe’s serial criminal will be unmasked. Learn about the lady who set up the first Sunday school in England and why Wycombe Wanderers appear in the Guinness Book of World Records.

'The heart of High Wycombe'.

12.30pm circular walk starting at the Guildhall and proceeding along Paul’s Way and round by Wycombe Swan before turning left along the High Street. 

Hear about the publican who went against the grain to serve black US servicemen during World War II, discover the town's coat-of-arms and motto, find out how PM Benjamin Disraeli fared in trying to win the seat of High Wycombe in parliament and discover what went on in ‘Bobbin Castle’. 

'The remarkable High Street in High Wycombe in 45 minutes'

This walk starts and finishes at The Guildhall. Hear about Buckingham House (Bobbin Castle), a school and warehouse for lace-making in the mid 19th century, learn about why Wycombe was considered a Rotten Borough through the centuries and hear about Weighing the Mayor, an annual event now uniquely carried out only in Wycombe.

NEW 'A women's Walk through Wycombe'

Meet at Pann MIll (HP11 1BJ) for a two hour walk around the town. Hear about the eccentric Mitford Sisters whose family had a summer residence here, the Suffragist branch in Wycombe and the quest for Votes for Women, and view the wonderful stanied glass window in All Saints Parish Church celebrating women in history. You might even be able to spot an aeroplane in a most unlikely place!

CAR ASSISTED WALK

'18th century west of Wycombe' 

Park at The Dashwood Roadhouse on the Old Oxford Road at Piddington.  Walk one mile of the old mediaeval way/turnpike road to Oxford from Piddington to Studley Green returning down Old Dashwood Hill  where the remains of a 13th century settlement can be viewed. Then drive to the Dashwood Mausoleum/St Lawrence's Church on West Wycombe Hill to hear the story of the life of Sir Francis Dashwood (and the Hell-Fire Club) before walking through historic West Wycombe.

FREE PRIVATE TOURS

These can be arranged on any walk subject for any length at any time for groups of 7 or more. Get in touch!

Stuck for a BIrthday or Christmas present for somemone? Why not let me take them and family and friends on an incredible journey through High Wycombe's past!

FREE SCHOOL WALKS

This walk, suitable for Year 6 and above, will tell the story of famous and not so famous people who have made their mark, the industries that helped forge the town as well as highlighting some imposing buildings and institutions.

Each walk will take 1 hour and, with teachers and supervisory support from each school, it will be possible to take up to 30 pupils on any one tour. Each school will also have to be responsible for pupils getting from and to school. All walks start from Pann Mill HP11 1BJ (opposite Trinity United Reformed Church) on The Rye and end in Frogmoor. We are never indoors. Kids will love it!