Six reasons to visit the Chilterns & the Thames Valley

Together, the Chilterns and the Thames Valley represent a tantalising, fascinating area. The region is populated by the ghosts of those who have made much of our national history, and of some of our greatest writers, and it is also an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here are just a few reasons why you should travel to this beautiful part of England.

Explore the literary & cinematic landscape

The scenery of the Chilterns provides a literary backdrop for some of England’s most beloved children’s writers. Enid Blyton, Alison Uttley and Roald Dahl, the creators of Noddy and Big Ears, the Little Red Fox and the Big Friendly Giant respectively, all lived and wrote here.The region has also been synonymous with murder for the past 20 years, thanks to Midsomer Murders, the TV series inspired by Caroline Graham’s novels. 

One of the best-selling fantasy authors of the 20th century, Terry Pratchett, worked in High Wycombe as a journalist. D H Lawrence, George Orwell and Oscar Wilde all lived in these parts – and then there’s the pub where Evelyn Waugh used to drink during his brief, unsuccessful career as a schoolmaster. Numerous popular movies and TV series have also flourished in the Chilterns and Thames Valley, using world-renowned studios and the varied local landscapes for filming purposes. Many have featured great fictional heroes such as Robin Hood, Harry Potter and James Bond. Come to the Chilterns and the Thames Valley and you will undoubtedly stumble across somewhere a famous writer or cinematic character has lived, walked or travelled.

See the region’s wildlife

From grassland to woodland, the varied landscape of the Chilterns supports a wide variety of specialist flora, fauna and wildlife. To most people the biggest attractions here are the orchids, of which the common spotted, pyramidal and bee orchid are the most common. Chiltern gentian is also iconic and grows abundantly at some sites. As you walk through the Chilterns, a piercing whistling sound may cause you to look up and catch sight of a bird which is now a symbol of the area: the red kite, or Milvus milvus. 

Feel the festival

Recent years have seen the emergence of several special events which span the Chilterns. The Walking Festival brings together over 85 different walking routes, from the leisurely to the brisk and from easy to strenuous. The Chiltern Arts Festival organises an annual programme of music, art and literature using some of the most beautiful churches, historic houses and open spaces in the area. A new Chilterns Heritage Festival with a wide range of events, including visits to a graveyard restoration project and trips around Amersham on vintage Tube trains, also launched in September 2018. These festivals are an excellent reason to visit and celebrate the heritage of the region.

Visit places of wealth, power and dissent

No doubt because of its closeness to London, this region is fertile ground for the establishment of places of power, with the best-known examples being Runnymede, where King John sealed Magna Carta, and the royal stronghold of Windsor Castle. From Windsor you can see Eton College, which has educated 19 prime ministers. Here you can also discover the histories of famous dissenters such as the Quakers, the Amersham Martyrs and John Hampden.

Get a taste of the local produce

There’s a small army of local independent producers across the region today, working hard to bring you a range of wonderful taste sensations. Local farm shops and markets are an excellent source of artisan food products such as breads and cakes, cheeses, meats, ice-cream and chocolate.

Discover a host of historic houses

The Chilterns is home to some of England’s oldest and most spectacular historic houses, all of which boast famous residents and visitors. Highlights include Hughenden Manor, home of Benjamin Disraeli, and the spectacular houses at Cliveden and Waddesdon. If you’re looking for a day out steeped in history, intriguing stories and beautiful architecture then look no further than the Chilterns.

For more on historic houses in the Chilterns & the Thames Valley, click here.

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