The Roald Dahl Countryside Walk is one of the ones listed on the website of the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden. It’s a nice, family friendly (although not pushchair friendly) walk that will take you about an hour to do. That’s an hour from the museum and back, not the car park.
The walk does have some uphill sections, but they’re quite gentle. I did contemplate telling you all to do the walk the opposite way to the directions. Don’t! The end of this route is relatively steep downhill and downhill at the end would be uphill at the start if you went in reverse.
The route
You can find the full route for this Roald Dahl Countryside Walk here. It’s actually one of the best route instructions I’ve followed for a while, and kids will find it really easy to follow as well.
You start off on the High Street, go underneath the railway bridge (which is actually quite cool) and within minutes you’re in open country. We really lucky living in Bucks – we have so much lovely countryside and it’s pretty much always on our doorstep!
Basically the route goes across a field, through Angling Spring Wood, skirts around the edge of Prestwood and through the woodland that inspired Danny Champion of the World. Also known as Atkins Wood to everyone else. You then follow a bridlepath, end up back into Angling Spring Wood and retrace your footsteps back to the High Street. At one point the route suggests you stop to admire the beautiful view across the Chiltern hills. Sadly you can’t now because a massive section of said view has been destroyed by HS2 construction!! Grrrrr.
Highlights along the way
If you visit in the spring then Angling Spring Wood is full of bluebells. Have a look at my review of the woods because it is a destination in itself. The Roald Dahl countryside walk has got an impressive variety of terrain. Which means it’s going to keep the kids happy along the way! There’s open farmland, sheep to spot, a nice woodland trail, orchards, plenty of squelchy mud, a bridlepath and some great views.
Our Roald Dahl Countryside Walk Review
The Roald Dahl countryside walk is a nice family walk. It’s not too long, but long enough to feel like you’ve achieved something. There’s plenty to keep the kids interested along the way, although there isn’t many places to sit and rest if they need to. I wouldn’t do it with very little ones unless you’re armed with a ton of snacks, but it’s a good walk for older ones. Plus there’s lots of cafes and pubs in the village to visit at the end.
Admission cost
Free
Parking / How to get there
Parking – 70p – up to 1 hour. £1.40 up to 2 hours. £2.00 up to 3 hours. £2.50 up to 4 hours. £3.60 up to 9 hours.
Address – There’s a couple of car parks but we used Link Road, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire HP16 9AE. The route starts at the alleyway beside 92 High Street.
Toilets
Public toilets in the Link Road car park
Food
There’s various cafes and pubs in the village.
What else is there to do nearby?
The Roald Dahl countryside walk starts and ends near the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre and is always worth a visit. There’s also the nearby Buryfield recreation ground and playground.
Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook