Chiltern Hills AONB and National Landscape Holiday Guide

Want to find out more about the Chiltern Hills National Landscape?  Read Country Cottages Online’s guide to some of the best of the Chilterns National Landscape and AONB for short breaks and self-catering holidays.
 

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Why Visit the Chilterns? 

If you love the great outdoors, nature, and the tranquillity of the countryside, then a break in the Chilterns should greatly appeal to you.  Discover stunning landscapes, forests, outdoor pursuits, charming towns and villages, as well as fascinating attractions unique to the area.

Explore Idyllic Countryside, Woodlands, and Stunning Panoramic Viewpoints 

Covering parts of Bedfordshire, Bucks, Herts and Oxfordshire, the Chilterns are a national landscape (formerly known as areas of outstanding natural beauty) stretching from near Wallingford in Oxfordshire up through in to Hertfordshire.  Encompassing gentle chalk rolling hills, woodlands, nature reserves, pretty villages and charming historic towns, the Chilterns are ideal for an idyllic rural retreat break, not too far away from London. At their peak, the Chilterns reach 250 metres in height.

Some of the most magnificent places within the Chilterns to discover include the Dunstable Downs and Ivinghoe Beacon.  The Ashridge Estate and Wendover Woods are also worth a visit.  Let’s look at what each offers in more detail.

 

Ivinghoe Beacon

The Chiltern hills come to an end at an impressive peak at the stunning Ivinghoe Beacon and Dunstable Downs close to Dunstable.  You can enjoy one of the most amazing viewpoints over the Chilterns at Ivinghoe Beacon.  Historically, Ivinghoe Beacon was an ancient signal point.  Nowadays many visit to walk or fly kites at Ivinghoe beacon where you can enjoy spectacular views of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire from quite some height.

Dunstable Downs 

Ivinghoe Beacon is a part of the Dunstable Downs  The National Trust have a Chilterns Gateway Centre in this area with a café and a shop.  The Dunstable downs are popular with walkers but also with those with a love of kite flying and with those who enjoy the thrill of paragliding.   Outstanding views greet you on the Dunstable Downs and you can enjoy panoramic views out over Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire!

Many pleasant and attractive market towns are dotted throughout the Chilterns, each with their own charm and character.  The most idyllic hamlet in the area without a doubt is Ashridge which is a small peaceful village at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, very near Ashridge Forest.  Read through the details of the attractive Chiltern towns below, you may want to find somewhere to stay in one of these towns or may prefer to find a country cottage nestled deep in the Chilterns countryside.

Ashridge Estate 

A popular place for walks with locals, the Ashridge Estate close to Berkhamsted is home to a good network of walking trails and a cafe.  Walk through woodlands, parklands and chalk downlands.  On the lesser known walks, away from the main National Trust circuit, this is a great area to spot deer in the wild, particularly in the early morning.

Wendover Woods 

For enjoyable woodland walks and bike rides, Wendover Woods are also well worth a visit whilst on a holiday in the Chilterns.  These woods are set high up on the hill close to the charming town of Wendover, with well-marked trails to guide you.  Enjoy a welcome cup of tea at the recently updated Wendover Woods Café where you can sit out in good weather, and soak up superb views over the surrounding woodland.

 

Get Active in the Chilterns

The Chilterns is so gorgeous, it’s an absolute joy to explore, however you choose to do it.  Keen walkers and ramblers should love the Chiltern Way and Ridgeway National Trail that can guide you on some of the best of the area.  Horse riding is also popular on bridleways in the area too.  Getting out and active is one of the best ways to spot local wildlife such as red kites soaring in the skies, or deer ambling around.
 

Charming Chilterns Towns and Villages 

If you love pretty villages and charming historical towns, you are in for a treat with the Chilterns.  Some of the most beautiful towns and villages in this area include Wendover with its chocolate café, and good walks nearby, Tring with its attractive high street and Berkhamsted with its castle ruins and canalside walks.  Find out more with our guide to the Chilterns prettiest towns and villages.

A great many of the towns in the Chilterns can be reached by train from London in less than an hour, making the Chilterns a perfect getaway for those seeking a bit of peace and tranquillity within an easy train ride of London.  To get the most out of a visit to the Chilterns though and to fully immerse yourself in to the countryside, a car is really required on holiday.

The Chilterns’ Top Attractions

The Chilterns is home to an assortment of unique and fascinating attractions to discover on a cottage holiday, including;

•    Hughenden Manor; a National Trust property that was the country home of the Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli,

•    Natural History Museum at Tring Museum; showcasing Walter Rothschild’s collections,

•    Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre in Great Missenden,

•    Wendover Woods

•    West Wycombe medieval village, West Wycombe hill and the Hellfire Caves

Whether you opt to explore the countryside, immerse yourself in outdoor pursuits, relax and unwind in one of the Chiltern towns or visit one of the area's top attractions, we're confident you'll have a superb self-catering break in the amazing Chiltern Hills.