Want to feel like an explorer? Seek out the “sarsen stones” scattered around the hills. They’re giant sandstone boulders left over from the Ice Age, and they look like they’re just chilling out, waiting for a game of chess. One famous one is near the village of Nettleden—go find it, and take a silly selfie with it.
For a dose of WOW, drive up to Whiteleaf Hill. The views stretch for miles, and there’s a mysterious Whiteleaf Cross carved into the chalk. No one knows exactly why it’s there, which is a great excuse to make up your own conspiracy theory. Aliens? Definitely aliens.
If you’re with kids (or just a kid at heart), Odds Farm Park is a delight. It’s a hands-on animal farm where you can cuddle guinea pigs and watch piglets race. It’s basically a real-life, adorable version of a cartoon. Prepare for squeals—both from the children and from the pigs.
HIKE BEGINNERS 15km Ivinghoe Beacon and the Forests of the Chiltern
When Your Legs Get Tired: Culture and Shopping
The market town of Marlow is perfect for a break. Stroll along the Thames, browse the boutique shops, and pretend you’re in a Jane Austen novel—until you buy a giant ice cream cone. The Marlow Bridge is particularly photogenic, so get your Instagram ready.
For something a bit more cerebral, visit Hughenden Manor, the former home of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. The house is full of Victorian grandeur, and the gardens are lovely for a meander. It’s also rumored to have been a secret map-making base during World War II—how cool is that?
Don’t skip Wendover Woods, either. It’s a forest park with treetop trails, a cafe, and a car park that somehow feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. You can rent a bike, tackle a high-ropes course, or just sit on a bench and breathe in the pine-scented air. Very zen.
