The Chilterns & the Thames Valley

Emma — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Part of Bradt’s distinctive, award-winning series of ‘Slow’ travel guides to UK regions, the new, thoroughly updated second edition of The Chilterns and Thames Valley (Slow Travel) celebrates this charming, popular English region close to London. Written with intimate detail and insider tips by two locals, it is the only guidebook to provide in-depth coverage of this region, which is shared between the counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.Divided into six user-friendly sections, Bradt’s The Chilterns and Thames Valley lifts the lid on what makes this area so distinctive. Chalk grasslands, beech woods, streams, one of the world’s most famous rivers and wooded valleys provide perfect landscapes for walking – and are easily accessible from London. About half of the region has been designated as a ‘National Landscape’ – the closest such designation to London, and justifying this edition’s inclusion of several new walking routes. Rare plants such as fleawort and various orchids, and birds including red kite, lapwing and skylark flourish. Millions of people know the Chilterns via TV and films, as world-famous studios have created murder, mayhem, historical drama and horror here; this is Midsomer Murders country. In the Chilterns you find key sites of monarchical and parliamentary power such as Windsor Castle and Chequers, and the location of Magna Carta’s sealing (Runnymede). Many well-loved authors have lived and written here, depicting Paradise, defining our childhoods and painting timeless images of England and its people. Eminent chefs own restaurants with national, even international, reputations: the village of Bray alone hosts two of Britain’s eight triple-Michelin-starred restaurants.The Chilterns and the Thames Valley (together with the Vale of Aylesbury) represent a wonderfully paradoxical mixture of world-famous tourist sites and lesser-known attractions full of quirkiness and character, which will repay the visitor’s interest and attention many times over. From Windsor Castle to Whipsnade Zoo, Britain’s oldest road (The Ridgeway) to National Trust properties such as Cliveden and Waddesdon, the Henley Regatta to the Grand Union Canal, Bradt’s The Chilterns and Thames Valley (Slow Travel) is your perfect travelling companion to this enchanting area.

Chilterns & The Thames Valley

Emma — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

This new title from Bradt forms part of its distinctive ‘Slow Travel’ series and is the only title available to cover the Chilterns and Thames Valley in depth. The Chilterns and the Thames Valley do not correspond to the specific boundaries of one county or region, old or new. Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire all have a share. Divided into six easily manageable sections, Bradt’s The Chilterns and Thames Valley lifts the lid on what makes this area so distinctive. Chalk grasslands, beech woods, streams and wooded valleys provide a perfect landscape for walking and are easily accessible from London. About half of the area has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the closest such area to London. Rare plants such as fleawort and numerous orchid varieties, and birds including red kites, lapwings and skylark flourish. The Thames Valley follows the route of one of the world’s most famous rivers. You can find key sites of monarchical and parliamentary power such as Windsor Castle and Chequers, the location of Magna Carta’s sealing at Runnymede and the birthplaces of men and women who have led dissent down the ages. A host of well-loved authors has lived and written here, depicting Paradise, defining our childhoods and painting timeless images of England and its people. Eminent chefs own restaurants with national and sometimes international reputations.In short, the Chilterns and the Thames Valley together represent a wonderfully paradoxical mixture of world-famous tourist sites and lesser-known attractions full of quirkiness and character, which will repay the visitor’s interest and attention many times over. From Windsor Castle to Whipsnade Zoo, Britain’s oldest road – The Ridgeway – to National Trust properties such as Cliveden and Waddesdon Manor, the Henley Regatta to the Grand Union Canal, Bradt’s The Chilterns and Thames Valley is the perfect companion.

Matthews, Helen – The Bell Bookshop

The Chilterns & the Thames Valley

Chilterns & The Thames Valley