Beacon Hill, Juniper Bank and Aston Wood walk
Starting at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, located high on the Chiltern Escarpment and offering views over the Vale of Oxford, this walk will take you through acres of chalk grassland with wild flowers. Moving on to the woodland areas of Juniper Bank and Aston Wood, you'll encounter an altogether different landscape, with chances to spot a wide range of flowers, butterflies, birds, deer and unusual fungi.
Walking in history
Since the Roman era, people have faced the test of transporting people and goods from the lowlands of the Oxford Vale, across the steep Chiltern Escarpment, to London. This walk explores various ways in which this challenge has been tackled over time. Steps 4 and 9 are part the Aston Rowant Discovery Trail (ARDT).
Total steps: 9
Total steps: 9
Start point
Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve car park. Grid ref: SU731966
Step 1
From the car park, there are two paths into the nature reserve. Take the right-hand path between the wooden noticeboard and the litter bin. Follow the path to a concrete-floored viewpoint with benches. From here, continue along the path that runs to the right of the information board about red kites. Go through the gate and take the right fork uphill. During wet weather, this path can be a bit slippery due to the drop-off of the slope to your left. (There's an alternative path from the car park that runs downhill to the left, leading directly to Step 3. This may be a safer option when the ground is wet.)
Step 2
Continue along the level path and through a second gate. The path then curves to the right, passing a metal seat sculpture and eventually leading to a third gate. Go through this gate and continue straight ahead until the path forks left towards a wooden sculpture of a red kite. At the sculpture, turn left downhill, following a clear, partly sunken path (ignore the two sets of metal gates on your right). Go straight through the next metal gate and follow the clear path across the chalk grassland. After about 55yds (50m), you'll see a bench on your left, below a large yew tree. From here, you'll get a great view of the Chiltern Escarpment to the south-west. After another sunken section of path that curves left, continue downhill towards a wooden gate.
Step 3
Don't go through the gate but take a sharp right, following a clear path gently downhill with the reserve's boundary fence on your left. Continue along the path, through an area of scrub woodland. Go through a wooden gate, then fork left and downhill to reach two more sets of gates. Go through the wooden gate, then the metal kissing gate, and you'll come to the Ridgeway long-distance footpath, which is part of the Icknield Way. Between the two gates, there's an information board about the Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve.
Step 4
Turn right onto the Ridgeway path and follow it for about 660yd (600m) until you reach the A40. Take care crossing the road, then continue along the Ridgeway path on the opposite side. After another 275yd (250m), the Ridgeway is joined on its left side by a narrow belt of trees and scrub vegetation. This is the abandoned route of the former Watlington and Princes Risborough railway. The path here can get quite muddy during wet weather, but it's generally wide enough to allow visitors to avoid the worst parts.
Step 5
Continue in the same direction along the Ridgeway Path. After another 495yd (450m), you'll come to a signpost next to a small Aston Rowant Discovery Trail noticeboard. Turn right onto the crossing bridleway.
Step 6
The bridleway initially follows a field boundary, but soon becomes hedged on both sides. Continue along it, uphill, into an area of woodland. Follow the white arrows on the trees until you reach a National Trust sign announcing Juniper Bank. Here, turn right off the bridleway, following the route of the Aston Rowant Discovery Trail.
Step 7
As you approach a double metal gate, take a sharp left up a wide, gently sloping track. You're now on the route of the medieval London Weye and the abandoned Stokenchurch turnpike road. Continue up the track for 0.6 miles (1km) until you reach the A40. Turn left, following the narrow path alongside the road for about 165yd (150m). When you're opposite a lay-by, cross the road and go through a gate into the National Trust–managed Aston Wood.
Step 8
Immediately after the gate into Aston Wood, take the left-hand fork and follow the woodland path, the route of which is marked by white arrows on the trees. In winter, you'll be able to see the Oxford Vale through the trees on your right, but this is largely obscured when the trees are in leaf.
Step 9
On reaching the far side of Aston Wood, go straight ahead, ignoring a right-hand footpath. You'll soon reach a lane. Turn right and follow it back to the car park.
End point
Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve car park. Grid ref: SU731966
Trail map
More near here
Coombe Hill and Chequers trail
Enjoy a moderately energetic circular walk from Coombe Hill, taking in views across the Aylesbury Vale. You'll wander through woodlands, past rare chalk grassland and the pretty village of Ellesborough.
Chiltern Hills three-in-one walk
Discover a challenging 8½-mile scenic walk linking three National Trust places in the Chiltern Hills: West Wycombe, Bradenham and Hughenden. Longer and shorter routes can be completed depending on your choice.
Hambleden Valley, Turville and Fingest
Explore the wooded valleys of the Chiltern Hills on this 9.5-mile circular walk, passing through some of the area's prettiest villages.
Coombe Hill Woodland Walk
Follow this gentle circular trail in the Chilterns through beech woodland to the top of Coombe Hill, with far-reaching views from its summit.
Get in touch
Chilterns Countryside, c/o Hughenden estate, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Walking in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
From gentle strolls for little legs to longer hikes through the rolling Chiltern hills, these are some of the best walks in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
Visiting Aston Wood and Juniper Bank in the Chilterns Countryside
Discover Aston Wood and Juniper Bank in the Chiltern Hills. These woodland sites are ripe for exploring, with wildlife to spot and trails to follow.
Follow the Countryside Code
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.
Staying safe at National Trust places
The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.