Shady Walks

Take a look at our short series of local Shady Walks, for hot, sunny days. There were originally published on Instagram so the instructions are necessarily brief. You’ll need a large scale local map: OS Explorer 180 (Oxford) - and Explorer 181 (Aylesbury) if you venture further east.

PUBLIC FOOTPATHS AND OTHER RIGHTS OF WAY

Brill is surrounded by beautiful countryside, much of it accessible as common land or Rights of Way. This map shows public Rights of Way in Brill Parish (or anywhere else for that matter; use the search box).

Brill is also a key point in the 61 mile Bernwode Jubilee Way (BJW); a circular trail looping through north-western Buckingham. Request a copy of the Bernwood Jubilee Way book from the Bucks RoW team - or try this short associated walk linking Brill and Boarstall, a historic hamlet at the bottom of the hill. Discover other BJW walking and cycling routes on the Bucks Council website.

Back in 1993, The Brill Society produced two small footpath guides. These are no longer available but the Parish Council would love to get the routes tested and updated, and the leaflets re-published. Read more about this project and how you can get involved.

The Brill Society has also produced a map featuring old field names within Brill Parish. A fascinating companion for local walks.

Provided you know the exact location, it’s easy to report a problem with a footpath or bridleway, such as a broken stile, missing signage, blockage, or dangerous animal. You need to create a Bucks RoW Management System account first but it’s well worth doing so. Here is a detailed how-to guide to the process.

Read more about keeping RoWs in the Brill Parish clear and the responsibilities of councils and landowners.

Parishioner Hannah Hulme Hunter is our Rights of Way Rep., charged with liaising with landowners, Bucks Council RoW team, and volunteer groups such as North Bucks rRIPPLE (ramblers Repairing & Improving Public Paths for Leisure & Exercise).

Bernwood Forest by Bike

The Bernwood Jubilee Way team have designed a series of cycle loops, one of which passes through Brill. Details are included in the guidebook, available free on request. The routes range from 12 to 34 miles in length and are sign-posted. The Haddenham to Ludgershall Loop passes through the villages of Cuddington, Long Crendon, Chilton, Dorton, Ludgershall saving the best until nearly last; Brill, then Wotton Underwood and Ashendon. The route is 25 miles, but can be shortened to 12 or 16 miles. Read more on the Bucks Council website.

The Chiltern Hills are only 10 miles or so away; here are some family friendly routes. For lots more abut cycling in Buckinghamshire in general, visit this page on the Cycling UK website.

Aylesbury Cycling Group

Based in Aylesbury, the Club organises a range of Sunday cycle rides suitable for all abilities. They believe that cycling is for everyone, whether they want a short leisure ride or try something more challenging. All rides are led by experienced leaders; nobody gets left behind and there’s always somebody to help fix a puncture.

The best ride to start with is the Newcomers; 15 to 20 miles at a nice, easy pace, with a coffee stop halfway. According to the group’s Autumn calendar, the nearest meet is The Bugle Horn pub near Stone, between Thame and Aylesbury. Find out more on the Club’s website or Facebook page.

Brill walkers maps

Brill is irritatingly close to the eastern edge of OS Explorer 180 (1:25,000) Oxford, Witney & Woodstock and only a couple of miles off the western edge of OS Explorer 181 (1:25,000) Chiltern Hills North. Keen walkers will need both. The Book House in Thame sells maps - and the Oxfam Bookshop (also in Thame) generally has an excellent stock of secondhand local maps.

Oakley walks

Oakley is one of our neighbouring parishes; just down the hill in Oxfordshire. The parish council and community website has an excellent list of 12 local walks, including a couple up to Brill which could be easily adjusted for Brill-based walkers. The others are almost as handy with starting points just a short car journey away - or maybe you can do something creative with local buses, most of which serve Oakley on the same run?

Browse the Oakley Countryside Walks.

Aylesbury Ramblers

Aylesbury Ramblers organises guided walks throughout Aylesbury Vale and the Chilterns. The walks are of varying lengths and difficulty so there’s something to suit all abilities. Many walks are in the Chiltern Hills whilst others take in surrounding countryside and villages.

Walks are open to everyone, but if, after giving Aylesbury Ramblers a try, you wish to walk regularly, you will be encouraged to join Ramblers, the national association.

Find out more on the Aylesbury Ramblers website.