Explore Outdoors

Looking for more outdoor adventure in your life? As well as plenty of great walks through Bucks' gorgeous countryside and its many parks, we can also enjoy a return to camping and water based activities.

Walks

Being able to get out and about and enjoy a walk has been a saving grace throughout lockdown and continues to be an important part of many people's lives. The Chiltern Conservation Board and the Chiltern Society have come up with 23 social distance friendly walks which avoid crowded well-known locations and narrow paths (where possible). Between 2 and 6 miles long, many are stile free and with the majority under 4 miles long, accessible to most walkers. Or check out these family friendly walks which include guides and fun quizzes to download and do on the walks plus foodie stops along the way. We have also compiled a guide to Bucks' Best Walks with pubs and cafes at which to refuel but please double check they are open and be aware of the safety measures they have in place.

If you'd rather cycle than walk, why not try Chiltern Trike Tours? Be chauffeured on a Boom trike with a choice of tours round the Chilterns, local gin distilleries and breweries or historic windmills.

Parks

We're very lucky to have many fantastic parks in Buckinghamshire that offer all sorts of facilties. It's best to check their websites or social media channels to see which facilities are open before travelling.

Campbell Park located in the centre of Milton Keynes, is a stunning example of a contemporary park. It boasts acres of beautiful green space, inspirational public artwork and even a top-quality cricket pitch.

Willen Lake, is one of the best loved parks in Milton Keynes which is home to a whole host of leisure facilities and activities for the whole family. Try a variety of watersports including wakeboarding, sailing and paddle-boarding, or take to the trees with Treetop Extreme.

At Black Park in Wexham you can explore 530 acres of woodland, heath and open space, majestic trees and a 14 acre lake. Explore cycling routes and walking trails and the Go Ape Adventure, where you can swing from the tree tops of Black Park.

Langley Park is a beautiful, tranquil and historic country park with a variety of habitats for wildlife. Throughout the year the park is bursting with colour and splendour, and you can enjoy their trail guides, orienteering course, picnic areas and beautiful landscapes.

With 69 acres of varied landscape for visitors to enjoy, Denham Country Park is part of the Colne Valley Regional Park which includes parts of Berks, Herts and a bit of Surrey. Denham Country Park is surrounded with links to local footpaths, bridleways, the Grand Union Canal and the rivers Colne and Misbourne. You can check out their visitors centre, admire their sculptures, do a bird spotting safari and family orienteering.

Camping

Campsites are slowly re-opening so we can enjoy the Great British countryside without the queues, quarantine, masks etc. that travelling further afield might entail. Some don't have full facilities up and running yet so check before you book. Further good news is that the government has empowered local authorities to allow campsites and caravan parks to stay open longer so the summer season will be extended.

Home Farm in Radnage has loads of space for tents and caravans. They have put in all sorts of safety measures (including your own private small untility side unit) and the nearby pub's beer garden will be open and serving food and drinks, as well as takeways. There are plenty of lovely trails and walks to explore, as well as fantastic views.

Hurley Riverside Park between Marlow and Henley is taking bookings for tents, motorhomes and caravans. There are nature trails and riverside walks to enjoy, as well as over a kilometre of prime riverside picnic grounds.

Shillingridge Glamping offers luxurious safari lodges, nestled in the Chilterns Hills near Marlow, where you can enjoy the countryside walks, potter about on the Thames. toast marshmallows on a fire and snuggle down in cosy beds.

Or if a shepherd's hut is more to your liking, check out Chadwell Hill Farm. The boutique B&B has the hut in a beautiful wild flower garden with a deck overlooking the valley and will be offering yurts too from August.

Hedsor Field Camping is a pop-up site opening from July 24th to August 17th with pitches and bell tents. This camping and glamping site is nestled in the chilterns between 2 woods with lovely views down the valley of the River Wye, Kids, dogs, BBQs and firepit friendly, get booking now.

Tip Top Venues are holding a glampfest this summer. Their tipis, on a lovely Buckinghamshire estate, are often used for weddings and events but you can go and camp with dinner and breakfast provided in your luxurious tent. You can chat round the campfire, then dance under the stars with music provided by a DJ.

Also coming soon: Orchard View Farm is the perfect location for camping with acres of woodland, wild flower meadows and native hedgerows. Bring your tent or stay in a ready-to-go luxurious bell tent. Food and drink is well catered for with the fantastically stocked farm shop plus there's The Trough Garden Kitchen, complete with wood burning ovens, where the farms award-winning meat and home grown produce is served.

Water-based fun

The Little Boat Trip starts in the Aylesbury basin and takes you and your family (one household only at the moment) on a canal boat from the Exchange Theatre through several locks to the Aylesbury marina. Learn how to open and close locks and the history of the canal or just sit back and watch the world go by.

Willen Lake, as above, has all sorts of water sports for you to enjoy. 

Longridge Activity Centre offers a great range of activities, including canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and dragon boating. The centre is open but smaller groups are currently necessary.

Salters Steamers in Marlow starts at Higginson Park Pier. You will travel down the river to Temple Lock before returning again. The journey lasts 40 minutes, plenty of time to take in the beautiful Thames scenery.

If camping it not your thing, don't forget that here in Buckinghamshire we have a fantastic range of accommodation from B&Bs to pub rooms to grand hotels. Take a look at our website for some ideas on places to stay. There are all sorts of other things to do outside from National Trust Gardens to animal parks to open farms - view our Things To Do page - plus a myriad of restaurants, pubs, breweries and cafes to keep you fed and watered. And please don't forget to support our more indoor based attractions as they slowly open up. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.

 

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