Outer Aylesbury Ring

Updates, News and Issues

The route and associated circular walks are monitored at every opportunity and problems dealt with as they are found but we do ask for continued feedback (good and bad) so that we can keep things in good order.

If you find any problems on the route please email our OAR Path Warden at: pathwarden.aylesburyramblers@gmail.com

If you have done the route (or part of it) and enjoyed it, do let us know, we love to hear from you. Send your message to webmaster.aylesburyramblers@gmail.com

Updates and feedback are posted below, in reverse chronological order.

Thank you

Exhibition inspired by the OAR at the Queens Park Art Centre Aylesbury.

More information at https://queensparkarts.com/

Yet another satisfied customer......

August 2020

"Hi there,

My name is Daniel and I am a keen runner in and around Aylesbury, I have been running along the OAR from section to section and just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your members for designing, upkeep and signage etc along the route. It is a pleasure to run along and hopefully one day in the next 6-8 months hope to try and complete the whole route in one go as I see Tom Chalk did a little while ago."

Thanks Daniel, and good luck when you attempt the entire route in one day - and don't forget to tell us when you have done it.

OAR Walk Guide 1 - Amendment

Walk Guide 1 - Wendover to Buckland

(Feb 2020)

The development work in Wendover woods has now been completed and the online Walk Guide updated accordingly.

This reflects the addition of a Visitor Centre complete with a new café, toilets, etc. and the slightly revised route has been re-way-marked but visiting the highest point to the Chilterns is a slightly more circuitous and the route to it is not described.

(6 Dec 2018)

The Forestry Commission are in the process of adding a large car park, a new visitor Centre and realigning or changing the use of the roads & tracks shortly before you reach Point C on the Guide. This has involved the removal of footpath markers, including those for the OAR.

The revised route more or less follows the existing route but now all the path furniture carrying OAR way markers have been removed on the track around the barbecue area and the car park.

The route still goes to the Café and the portable WCs, but the old WC block has been converted to a Pay Station for the car parking. so when you get to that point turn left and wind your way on one of the paths to the entry road and continue along on the marked route as usual. The route to the highest point to the Chilterns which is East of that point has been fenced off so to get there involves a slightly more circuitous route.

The route will be re-way-marked when the Forestry Commission have finished their work and our walk guide will also be updated then.

Walk Guides - Circular Walk 5

(May 2019)

The development mentioned below is now finished and the path re-opened on line via a tarmacked path through the housing development.

(May 2018)

As the development nears completion the diversion is now clockwise through the new development rather than as previously anticlockwise around its edge.

(April 2017)

The section of Footpath Pitstone 2 which runs the first field from the border with Ivinghoe is currently closed and fenced off due to construction of housing.

East-West Rail - path closures and diversions

(16 Sept 2018)

East-West Rail are currently seeking orders for closures, diversions and stopping up orders of affected paths. Details of all temporary traffic regulation orders in Bucks, including this project, may be found using the following link so please check before walking any of the affected route.

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/environment/public-rights-of-way/changes-to-public-rights-of-way/temporary-traffic-regulation-orders/

NB – these closures only apply when “Footpath Closed” signs are displayed - the posting of the order alone does not mean the path is currently closed only that closure is authorised - however please exercise caution as signs may not always be displayed or removed in a timely manner.

High Speed Rail (HS2) - Update

(16 Sept 2018)

HS2 are currently seeking orders for closures, diversions and stopping up orders for affected paths. Details of all traffic regulation orders related to HS2 in Bucks may be found using the following link, so please check before walking any of the affected route. https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/environment/public-rights-of-way/changes-to-public-rights-of-way/hs2-construction-closures-and-diversions/

(10 April 2017)

Now that this project has been approved by Parliament final surveys and enabling work such as access roads, etc. will start immediately so there will be at least some disruption to footpaths and roads. This could occur anywhere that an access road or preparation for one cuts the ring and could result in short or long term diversions.

There are two definite points where HS2 will cross the OAR and these are set out below:

1. At Wendover the route goes up Bacombe Lane which is being re-routed over HS2 however as access to the houses will need to be maintained and should mean that access is maintained with the possible exception of very short term closures.

2. At Waddesdon on Footpath WAD/3 north of the village – This will be diverted to an underbridge shared with WAD/4A and thence turn south west just north of Glebe Farm back to the Quainton Road where is re-joins the current route.

We will keep this information updated as more details become available.

OAR - Another satisfied customer

(30 Nov 2017)

On Tuesday, 31 October 2017, 6:26, Jonathan Lewin wrote:

Hello Aylesbury Ramblers

I had to make contact to thank you for the Outer Aylesbury Ring footpath. It’s a splendid route which takes in so many local landscapes and environments that I might not otherwise have visited. Formerly from South Bucks and High Wycombe, we moved to the Aylesbury Vale – near Waddesdon - about two years ago. When exploring nearby footpaths, I noticed the OAR logo on some of the signs, which led me to investigate further. This summer, I’ve completed the whole route, taking on chunks of between 5 and 14 miles, depending on the time and transport available. A bit perversely, I’ve done most of it clockwise, rather than the anticlockwise directions described in your leaflets. I just worked out that way, given the most convenient way to get lifts back to my various starting points. This has led to a few minor detours, but no major problems, thanks to some helpful way-marking and of course OS maps. Some challenges for me were in places where there are no trodden paths and few posts to waymark, for example descending Conduit Hill towards Hogshaw Hill Farm, then sweeping around to the East somehow. The opposite happened atop Wendover woods, blessed with many pathways, some alluringly pristine and wellmarked and heading in about the right direction. In many cases, new signposts waymarks didn’t have the reassuring OAR labels. But these little challenges were part of the adventure of it. I very much enjoyed the variety encompassed by the walk – from flat canal sides to precipitous hillsides, open country and dense woodland, a busy high street and some very secluded tracks. It was great to have these all linked by the common circular theme, and by some familiar landmarks that reappeared from time to time. I even got to like the elegant wind turbine north of Berryfields and the solemn grey BCC “gravestone” at the heart of Aylesbury I plan to revisit the route again over the coming winter season, to experience it afresh. Maybe even going the “right” way round this time! Thanks again.

Jonathan Lewin

East - West Rail - Waddesdon

(10 April 2017)

The project to reopen the line from Aylesbury to Steeple Claydon will result in the closure of the current at grade crossing on WAD/3 and a minor diversion to a new underbridge which may result in short term closures and or diversions.

OAR now on OS Explorer Maps

(September 2016)

From 2016, the OAR is officially marked on all the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer series (1:25,000) maps.

Ringing Endorsement for OAR

(March 2016)

Members of the Chiltern Society have walked the OAR and gave it a ringing endorsement in the latest edition of their magazine. Here is a copy of the article, reproduced with the kind permission of the Chiltern Society.

Online versions of Section 5 Guide changed

(December 2015)

The online versions of the Section 5 Guide have been amended as a result of two unusual but awkward "saddle" stiles being replaced by gates. Thanks again to Bill Piers, his team, BCC and the landowner.

Chiltern Society walk the OAR

(October 2015)

Hi,

Chiltern Society had a target to complete the Outer Aylesbury Ring this year without fail!! We organised six one directional Sunday walks and 5 of us completed whole ring on 2 August 15. The Chiltern Society gave us Certificates to mark the achievement!

We started the OAR walks in 2014. Circular walks were organised based on the main route. Whilst these were great walks, we soon realised that if we were going to complete the whole ring any time soon we had to do one direction walks and shuffle cars from start to finish and vice versa.

The purpose of the e-mail is to congratulate Aylesbury Ramblers on the route and the signing. I did check out all the walks beforehand and over the 54 miles I only missed one turn.

We think it is a superb route. Some of the western side would benefit from more gates. But we loved the varied landscape and some of the isolated spots.

Peter

A walks leader with and a member of the Chiltern Society.

And a member of Thame and Wheatley Ramblers

New gate on OAR

(May 2015)

Bill Piers, long standing member of Aylesbury and District Ramblers, has installed a new gate provided by Bucks County Council.

Where the OAR crosses the Cublington Road from WIng this new gate replaces a very high step-less "stile" that has been reported previously on many occasions as difficult to get over for the shorter legged ramblers!

Well done and thanks, Bill and BCC

More Good Feedback

(Feb 2015)

Hello

I thought I'd e-mail to say that I've just had two wonderful days walking the Outer Aylesbury Ring.

Apart from getting a bit lost just outside Ashendon and having to divert around a few flooded fields outside Chearsley, the two days went without a hitch thanks to a very well signposted route and some beautiful February sunshine.

The views over the vale from Quainton Hill at the end of my first day were a particular highlight. I live in Wendover and regularly enjoy the views from Coombe Hill, so it was great to get this same view from the opposite side!

Many thanks to all those who have made OAR possible.

Kind regards,

Robin Barrett

Good Feedback

(February 2015)

"A small group of Leighton Buzzard Ramblers walked the Outer Aylesbury Ring over winter 2013/2014. The Ring easily split into five sections with daily mileages of 9 - 12 miles, and with good road access at both ends of each section.

The countryside was a delight, the paths well signposted for the majority of the walk, and the website was excellent for helping us plan and walk the route. Well done to Aylesbury Ramblers for a brilliant job in creating the OAR and the website support."

Leighton Buzzard Ramblers

http://www.lb-ramblers.org.uk/

OAR Update October 2014

(October 2014)

Further to the September Update there have been changes to the Guides as follows:

Walk Guide 8 Circular Walk 13 guide and map modified following the completion of the diversion of footpath PIT/4
Walk Guide 14 Guide modified now that the way mark post on Bacombe Hill has been moved away from a scheduled ancient monument.

For earlier changes read the previous posts

OAR Update September 2014

(September 2014)

Introduction

It is now a year since we completed our implementation of the OAR project with our “53 Miles in a Day” promotion following its official launch of in May last year. It is appropriate to give an update as to where we are now and also provide a section of our website where we can publicise changes, problems, etc. on an ongoing basis.

Feedback

In our Best Views Guide we ask for feedback on the route as well as to report any problems that are encountered. We have had quite a few comments. The majority are complimentary although they often have a sting in the tail. Most issues raised have been with the maintenance of the route (no re-instatement of paths through crops or overgrown paths) but also some asking for clearer instructions or better way-marking.

All issues reported back are investigated, replied to and wherever possible remedied or reported to BCC. The Wing to Cublington section has featured the most problems reported and these have concerned overgrowth and non-reinstatement of paths. We had already recognised this as the most problematical section of the OAR. In response our newly formed Path Check and Maintenance team walked and cleared OAR Circular Walk 9 in August and brought it back up to standard.

Guides

We still have plenty of printed copies of the Best Views leaflet available but all printed versions individual section guides are now getting low in stock with many of the more popular sections already gone. At the outset, we recognised that amendments would be needed to the guides over time. The easiest and cheapest way to achieve these changes is to maintain electronic versions. Therefore we have no plans to print any more guides but up to date versions will be available as downloads from our website.

Changes to Guides

The following is a list of guides that have been updated and are available on our website:

Apr 2013: Best Views - Correction of typos in the original that went to print.
Aug 2013: Walk Guide 3 - Nature reserve added to Pitstone description.
Aug 2013: Walk Guide 9 (a) St Mary’s Church addition to Westcott description.
Feb 2014: Walk Guide 8 (a) Waddesdon Garden Centre removed from map.
Feb 2014: Walk Guide 9 (b) Waddesdon Garden Centre removed from map and guide.
Mar 2014: Walk Guide 14 (a) New way mark post on Bacombe Hill added into description.

In addition a further small change will be required in Guide 14 when the way mark post is moved further away from a scheduled ancient monument; Guide 8 will also need an update as the proposed diversion mentioned within the text has been confirmed and is awaiting installation of any necessary gates, signposts or marker posts.

Maintenance