Simon Dean's Wood

A proper woodland walk just outside Chesham, Simon Dean's Wood is the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's a modest forest - nothing flashy - but the trees are old enough to make you feel small, and the paths are well-trodden without being crowded. You'll find yourself walking under a canopy that filters the light into greens and golds depending on the season. Spring brings bluebells thick on the ground. Autumn turns everything copper.

It's ideal for families who want a decent walk without the National Trust queue, and for anyone serious about spotting birds or mushrooms. The woodland has that slightly wilder feel - less managed than some of the grander estates nearby - which means it feels more like an actual forest and less like a manicured park. Plan for an hour or ninety minutes if you're the type to stop and look at things. There's no obvious visitor infrastructure, so bring what you need.

The beauty of this spot is that it slots perfectly into a wider Buckinghamshire walking tour. Pair it with time at Lights Camera Glamping just down the road - that's a proper basecamp if you're planning a few days exploring the area. The walks around Chesham are genuinely good, and this wood is one of the quieter reasons to venture out here rather than heading straight for the Chilterns' showpiece spots.