Here’s where you can join some great National Trust walks for Walking Month in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire

May is National Walking Month – a good time to join a guided walk on National Trust land in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire and discover local nature and history in our beautiful countryside while the weather is warming up. Woodlands have exploded into lush green leaf, wildflower meadows are speckling with colour and if you’re lucky you might catch the scent of lime tree flower blossom on the breeze.

In Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire, the National Trust have a bank of free downloadable walks on the website, regular guided walks and one-off walk events to enjoy. Basildon Park is the nearest, just down the road.

Here’s a round-up:

Regular guided walks

Basildon Park – Guided woodland walks on Fridays, 11am-12noon.

The hidden treasures of nature are unveiled in Basildon Park’s woodland and parkland on this guided walk, along with an insight into the rich history of the estate.

Some areas may be muddy or have cattle grazing. No booking required. Normal admission cost, free walk.

Other properties include:

Hughenden, West Wycombe and the Chilterns – weekly guided walks. Regular, friendly guided walks in the Chilterns for people of different ability. Grade 1 is easy with no stiles and regular stopping places, Grade 4 is longer and faster-paced with hills and stiles. Booking essential. Free to all

Free Group Led Walks in the Chilterns Countryside | National Trust

Grounds Highlights Guided Walk | National Trust

Waddesdon, nr Aylesbury – Grounds highlights guided walks Wednesdays to Sundays, 11.30am-12.30pm. Explore the seasonal highlights in the garden along with the history of Waddesdon and the Rothschild family. Paved and gravel paths. No need to book. Normal admission cost, free walk.

Gratitude woodland walks at Greys Court | National Trust

Greys Court, nr Henley-on-Thames – Gratitude woodland walks. First Thursday of the month, 10am-12noon Slow-paced, meditative walks led by Deborah Lewis. In woodland and fields. Booking advised. Normal admission cost, free walk.

Guided Tours: Secrets of Coleshill | National Trust

Coleshill, near Faringdon, West Oxfordshire – Guided tour of the secrets of Coleshill
Every Thursday and Saturday 1pm and 2.30pm (1hr) History tour finding out about Coleshill House which was lost to fire in the 1950s, training the British Resistance in the Second World War, the former Model Farm and present day Heritage and Rural Skills Centre. Short walk on paved roads/paths, short, steep hill. Booking advised. Free to National Trust members, others £6 per adult, £3 per child.

Second World War Walk | National Trust

Coleshill, near Faringdon, West Oxfordshire – Second World War Walk. 11 May 11.30am-1.30pm and monthly thereon. Discover Coleshill’s hidden Second World War history on this informative guided walk through village, woods and parkland at the home of the British Resistance. Booking essential. £8 per adult, £4 per child

Monthly Dog Walks | National Trust

Stowe, Buckingham – monthly dog walks. Third Wednesday of the month, 10.30am-12noon. Join a friendly group on a paw patrol exploring the gardens at Stowe. Meet the walk leader at the garden entrance, your dog can meet other dogs and you can meet other dog lovers. Mainly gravel paths. No booking required. Normal admission cost, free walk.

One-off guided walks

Dawn Chorus Walk | National Trust

Badbury, near Faringdon, West Oxfordshire - Dawn Chorus Walk. Sunday 4 May, 5.30am Join a ranger for an early morning guided walk around Badbury wood, listening to the dawn chorus. Includes breakfast. Booking essential. Cost £25 per person.

White Horse Hill History and Landscape Walk | National Trust

White Horse Hill, Uffington, West Oxfordshire – History and Landscape walk. 18 May 11am – 12.30pm Learn about the history and legends of White Horse Hill from its stone age builders to St George and Cold War secret swapping. Booking essential. £8 per adult, £4 per child.

Bank of self-led, downloadable walks available permanently

There are more than 30 walks displayed on the Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire National Trust website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

The walks range from 1 mile long to 11 miles. Each has detailed instructions about how to get to the start point, step by step directions to follow throughout, and interesting things to look out for along the way. Most don’t require membership as they’re in open countryside looked after by the National Trust.

Great walks in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire | National Trust