A Turnpike down a Hollowway (3703)

The Lambert Arms, an old coaching inn situated at the crossroads of millennia near Aston Rowant, is the perfect place from which to explore the highways and byways of the Chilterns escarpment. Our journey on foot starts out along the ancient Icknield Way (Ridgeway National Trail) and, after discovering a vanished railway, we climb the hill on the mediaeval ‘London Weye’ and the old London to Oxford turnpike. Continuing through the towering Chilterns beechwoods and out onto Beacon Hill we have time to marvel at the panoramic views, including the impressive M40 Stokenchurch cutting. An old ‘hollowway’ then leads us back down to the Icknield way. From here it is a short walk to Lewknor and back to the Lambert Arms.