Family walk in the winter countryside | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Walking in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

It's surprising how enjoyable winter walking is. It shouldn't be, with all the clothes and the mud and the chill. But once you get out there, with your breath puffing out in clouds, your cheeks flushing and tingly and your chest filling with fresh air, it's a wonderful feeling. Make the most of the season with winter walks in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. There are some lovely winter walks to make the most of big winter skies at Maidenhead and Cookham Commons and Stowe. From gentle wanders through meadows to longer jaunts across the rolling Chiltern hills, there are lots of walks in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire for the whole family to enjoy.

Here are some longer hikes with big winter skies to soak up some vitamin D.

Trail

Whiteleaf and the Hampdens walk

This walk in the Chilterns takes in the grounds of Hampden House, the isolated village of Little Hampden and a stunning view over the Aylesbury Vale.

A fallen tree lies on Cock Marsh at Cookham Commons, Berkshire.

Trail

Cookham and Cock Marsh walk

Enjoy stunning views across the Thames Valley while following riverside paths on the dog-friendly Cookham and Cock Marsh walk.

Trail

West Berkshire countryside walk

Enjoy a 7-mile circular walk around rural West Berkshire, near Streatley, taking in a variety of landscapes, wildflowers and butterflies.

These walks are 1-2 miles long and include things for children to look at and do along the way.

Visitors enjoying an autumnal walk in the landscaped garden at Stowe, Buckinghamshire

Trail

Lakeside walk at Stowe Gardens

A short, family-friendly walk along the lakeside path at Stowe Gardens. It takes in the temples, which are great for hide and seek, and the pebble alcoves. Children love running their fingers over the pebble mosaic.

Family visitors enjoying a woodland walk

Trail

Cliveden blue walking trail

A family-friendly woodland walk with a natural den and picnic area, plus a play trail featuring a rope swing, stepping stones and balancing beams.

Trail

West Wycombe Trail

This short walk starts in a very family-friendly way at the top of the hill with fantastic views. It winds around the picturesque village of West Wycombe passing the notorious Hellfire Caves and several sweetie shops and cafes for refuelling.

Visitors walking in the parkland Wentworth Castle, South Yorkshire

Trail

Bradenham countryside trail

This short walk around the village of Bradenham and neighbouring meadows has lovely views and things to spot. Look out for sarsen stones, horses and a holey woodpecker-pecked tree.

When your mind needs clearing, a walk by water can wash away the worries.

A view of Cliveden looking along the River Thames

Trail

Cliveden gold walking trail

Take in tranquil riverside scenery, shady woodland, dramatic views of the Berkshire countryside and places of historical interest on this circular trail.

An ancient-looking Greek-style round temple sitting on the banks of a deep blue glass-like lake surrounded by a variety of trees just starting to change from green into the orange of autumn

Trail

Lakeside walk at Stowe Gardens

A 1.2-mile family-friendly walk along the lakeside path at Stowe Gardens, taking in the temples and pebble alcoves along the way.

Trail

Cookham and Cock Marsh walk

Enjoy stunning views across the Thames Valley while following riverside paths on the dog-friendly Cookham and Cock Marsh walk.

Trail

Lakeside walk at Stowe Gardens

A 1.2-mile family-friendly walk along the lakeside path at Stowe Gardens, taking in the temples and pebble alcoves along the way.

Trail

Views of the Hughenden Manor estate walk

For varied views, go on this circular 5.6-mile walk around the Hughenden Manor estate, which reveals no fewer than 10 different views of the surrounding Chilterns countryside.

Glorious autumnal woodland with crisp brown leaves littering the narrow footpath and the tall beech trees resplendent in yellow and orange

Trail

Bradenham beech woods walk

Enjoy a classic Chilterns landscape and find out more about the history of this part of the world on the Bradenham beech woods walk.

The Disraeli Monument at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire

Trail

Hughenden's Monument walk

Discover a short 2-mile return walk with moderate hill climbs that takes in the monument at Hughenden. Take in far-reaching views from the monument which is known to be is one of the best look-out points the area.

A distant view of West Wycombe Park taken from a nearby hill, Buckinghamshire

Trail

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.

Trail

Woodcock Wood walk at Hughenden

On this leisurely 1.2 mile walk, you'll loop around typical Chiltern farmland and woodland. Enjoy the peace and quiet of Woodcock Wood before heading back along 'Coffin Path'.

A pond on the chalk stream at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire, with a curved, sloping grass bank on the left, and several mature trees reflected in the water

Trail

Boundary walk at Hughenden

Explore beautiful woodland, open parkland, farmland and a rare chalk stream on this energetic 4-mile circular walk that runs close to the estate boundary.

Winter mist over the Parterre at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire in late November

Place

Walks at Cliveden

Formerly home of the Astor family, Cliveden has a glorious garden overlooking the Thames in Berkshire, with several woodland and riverbank trails to choose from.

Trail

West Wycombe Trail

Explore the colourful history of West Wycombe, walking in the landscape of the Chiltern countryside.

View of the manor and the church in Bradenham village in February at Bradenham Estate, Chilterns Countryside, Buckinghamshire

Trail

Bradenham: Chiltern Hills, Valleys and Woodlands Walk

Enjoy an 8-mile (13km) walk starting at Bradenham village in Buckinghamshire, leading you through a mix of chalk meadows, beech woodlands and farmland.

Bradenham in early spring in the Chilterns countryside, Buckinghamshire

Trail

Bradenham countryside trail

Enjoy a short walk around the village of Bradenham and neighbouring meadows, with views across the Chilterns and a visit to St Botolph's church on the route.

A tree-framed view over a green hillside with fields in the distance at Pulpit Hill fort, Buckinghamshire

Trail

Pulpit Hill fort and nature reserves circular walk

Take in panoramic views across the Chiltern Escarpment and Aylesbury Vale, explore an Iron Age hillfort and stroll through beautiful beech woods and the Grangelands and Rifle Butts Nature Reserve.

Trail

German Forest walk at Hughenden

This 1.5-mile walk at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire, explores the evergreen woods inspired by Disraeli's visits to the Northern Bohemian forests.

Trail

Watlington Hill circular walk

A 7-mile walk from Watlington Hill that explores chalk grassland and beech woodlands, on the historic landscape of the Chilterns on the border between Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Ridges and Bottoms walk in Buckinghamshire

Trail

West Wycombe ridges and bottoms walk

Discover the ups and downs of the valleys that carve their way through the Chiltern Hills on this challenging circular trail, which starts from West Wycombe and explores the surrounding woodland, farmland, and villages.

A blanket of snowdrops in front of a rotunda which is surrounded by trees at Stowe, Buckinghamshire.

Trail

Stowe's 'Stowedrops' walk

Enjoy crisp winter walks at Stowe and you might spot the first signs of spring, in the form of delicate white snowdrops, or 'Stowedrops' as we like to call them.

Natural Sculpture Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve

Trail

Beacon Hill, Juniper Bank and Aston Wood walk

Explore the Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, along with the National Trust woodlands at nearby Juniper Bank and Aston Wood.

Trail

Whiteleaf and the Hampdens walk

This walk in the Chilterns takes in the grounds of Hampden House, the isolated village of Little Hampden and a stunning view over the Aylesbury Vale.

Trail

The meadows and woodlands of Streatley

Discover beautiful views on this three mile circular walk around the meadows and woodlands that form the backdrop to the village of Streatley.

A village scene with bight green grass in the foreground, a path running through it and a horse chestnut tree in flower behind the path but in front of several houses.

Trail

The short Wind in the Willows walk

A 3-mile circular walk around Cookham Dean in Berkshire and the woodlands that inspired author Kenneth Grahame's Wild Wood in his children's novel Wind in the Willows.

Trail

The long Wind in the Willows walk

A 5-mile walk along country lanes, woodland and the village of Cookham Dean that takes in places that inspired Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame.

Trail

Cookham and Cock Marsh walk

Enjoy stunning views across the Thames Valley while following riverside paths on the dog-friendly Cookham and Cock Marsh walk.

Trail

West Berkshire countryside walk

Enjoy a 7-mile circular walk around rural West Berkshire, near Streatley, taking in a variety of landscapes, wildflowers and butterflies.

Trail

Maidenhead Commons trail

A moderate 6.9 mile circular walk heading south, to a former brick works, which is now a nature reserve, and through the mixed woodland of Maidenhead Thicket.

Trail

Cliveden blue walking trail

A family-friendly woodland walk with a natural den and picnic area, plus a play trail featuring a rope swing, stepping stones and balancing beams.

Woodland path in Spring at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

Trail

Cliveden woodland walking trail

Explore the woodland at Cliveden on this moderate walk taking in a play trail for the kids, picnic areas and spectacular views over the River Thames and the surrounding countryside.

Trail

Low Scrubs: A walk back in time

Explore the atmospheric woodland of Low Scrubs, encountering relics of its ancient past from as far back as the early Iron Age, on this short waymarked walk.

Bridge over Strand Water, Cookham Moor, Berkshire

Trail

Cookham wetland and wildlife trail

Discover the wildlife and wetlands of the Thames Valley, while enjoying the views of The Mount at Cookham Dean, Cliveden House and Taplow Court.

Exterior view of Greys Court, Oxfordshire

Place

Greys Court

The rolling Chiltern hills are your playground at Greys Court with walks that are perfect for families with little legs and longer strolls for bigger children to run off some energy in the woodland.

A sunset view of the green, rippling hillside of White Horse Hill, Uffington, Oxfordshire, with the countryside visible for miles into the distance.

Trail

White Horse Hill to Ashdown walk

This invigorating walk across the ancient chalk downs of Oxfordshire takes in the mysterious neolithic sites and history found along this enigmatic stretch of the ancient Ridgeway.

Great Coxwell Barn seen in the distance with a blue sky and vivid green grass in the foreground.

Trail

Orange walk: Badbury and Great Coxwell Barn

Take a gentle circular walk along the orange route on the Coleshill Estate from Badbury to Great Coxwell Barn to spot wildlife and wander through two picturesque working farms.

Trail

Chiltern escarpment and woodland walk

This challenging circular trail explores the woodland, farmland and villages around the Chiltern Hills' chalk escarpment and offers sweeping views across the surrounding valleys.

Track through gates at Bradenham Estate during the summer

Discover more in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Rolling Chiltern hills, a magical garden and the home of a Victorian prime minister await you in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

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