Shady Summer Walks
from (or very near) Brill
The Span Green / Oakley Hill circuit
Clockwise or anticlockwise - both have their diehard devotees. Reliable shade for 2/3 of the route. Start and finish at the windmill. 4.6km of rough, sometimes overgrown footpaths and steady gradients. Mostly dog-friendly.
Let's go anti-clockwise: Take the track across South Hills and then the hobbit path cutting through to the field adjacent to Oakley Road. 50m of road (take care; cars whizz up here), then follow the field margin to the bridleway heading due west, down the hill towards Oakley. This long, wooded track is, surprisingly, one of the spider-legs of Brill Common; shady and mysterious, with a stream and dog watering-hole at the bottom.
Follow footpath signs along another track and across a little meadow (good picnic stop) to rejoin another spider-leg of commonland; Span Green, heading north-east to Touchbridge. This part of the walk can be over-grown at times and/or very muddy (yes, hard to imagine in summer drought!) so take a stick to beat down the vegetation. From Touchbridge, cut up across the fields to Brill; dogs on leads, please, NO EXCEPTIONS. Hopefully The Pheasant Inn will now be open.
The first picture shows a new kissing gate at the end of the hobbit path leading out of Brill (near the word 'Hill' on the OS map extract). It was installed by our friends from iRIPPLE and is dedicated to "Poppy" by its sponsors. Do you have a favourite walk with a dodgy stile that could be replaced by a gate dedicated to a loved one? Please get in touch if so. The second picture shows part of the Span Green footpath.
Bernwood Forest
We're so lucky to have Bernwood Forest! Stop your ears to the growl of the M40 and you could be in Scotland. Choose your route carefully and, even though the car park is jam-packed, you'll have the place to yourself. Download the OS Maps App so you don't get lost, ignore the crowds heading down the main track, and head off into the trees. Dappled shade guaranteed!
Try walking the perimeter of the Forest (it can be done) or find the ruined cottage in the middle of the woods* or explore the remains of the WW2 airfield close to the motorway. Go early and see the deer grazing the forest clearings; go late and listen to the owls. Take a picnic and head for Bernwood meadows (but be quick; the cattle will be back in there in August) or venture further afield to Waterperry Wood and the network of footpaths linking the villages.
*The ruins are NW of the blue duck on the map extract. Abandoned in the 1940s, now all that's left is a broken-down wall, a standpipe, and the pink primroses that come up in the Spring.
Note added August 2026
This is dense woodland and conditions are extremely dry. It goes without saying that campfires - including so-called disposable BBQs - would be extremely stupid. No littering either, please; discarded glass can magnify sunlight and cause a blaze - and even apparently extinguished cigarettes can contain a spark.
Chinkwell Wood
This part-shady walk is only 3.3km but feels longer - in a good way. Please take care, though; there is a broken stile on the first downhill leg and small children, unsure walkers and dogs may struggle.
The first thing that strikes you when you walk down the hill behind Brill School is the quiet; there's no motorway noise this side of the village. The closer you get to Chinkwell Wood, the more remote it feels; go at dusk and you may see young foxes and even badgers scampering through the rough grass. Follow the edge of the wood until you reach its northern tip where footpath signs will direct you to a narrow path between an equine exercise track and woodland. This is a good spot to linger and enjoy the view across to Waddesdon Manor before heading into the woods.
Keep to the wide straight path and heed the signs warning dog-owners of legitimate vermin control in the area to protect breeding stocks of pheasants. The bluebells are spectacular along here in the spring; whilst in the summer the rich canopy enhances the sense of peace and enclosure.
Exit the wood into a large meadow and prepare yourself for the slog back up to Brill. Just before you get to the first gate, step back into the woods for a few minutes. This is probably the most beautiful part of Chinkwell Wood; a glade of mature beech trees where generations of Brill children have gathered for campfires and picnics. We are very disturbed by rumours that the Forestry Commission, who manage the woodland, are to close it to visitors.
There's only intermittent shade on the walk back up to Brill village but there's usually a refreshing breeze. The right of way leads into The Firs and thence back onto the playing fields.
Note added August 2026
The narrow path leading into Chinkwell Woods is presently partially blocked by vegetation, mainly brambles. This has been reported but be prepared to bash your way through.
This is dense woodland and although wide firebreaks have been recently cut, it goes without saying that campfires - including so-called disposable BBQs - would be extremely stupid. No littering either, please; discarded glass can magnify sunlight and cause a blaze - and even apparently extinguished cigarettes can contain a spark.