Pete's Walks- Hambleden, Medmenham and Homefield Wood (page 3 of 4)
I followed the path through Hog Wood in a roughly northeasterly direction for about three-quarters of a mile, initially with some properties close by on my right. Navigation was straightforward, with occasional white arrows or yellow waymarks pointing the way - there were several junctions where permissive paths went off on one or other side, but there were always yellow waymarks indicating where the footpath continued. At some point I crossed the boundary between Hog Wood and Hollowhill Wood. Eventually I reached a lane, where I turned right and then took a footpath on the left (immediately before a lane junction, one of three that form a triangle here according to the OS map).
Hog Wood
Hog Wood
Hog Wood
Hog Wood
Hollowhill Wood
This path was a new one for me, running through Pullingshill Wood with a lane over to my right. After some distance I reached an information board about the First World War training trenches here - it said they were the best preserved and most extensive in the UK, and they were certainly more impressive than the ones I've seen on Whiteleaf Hill and near Berkhamsted. I only had time to snatch a few photos, I'd like to come back and explore them thoroughly sometime. Shortly after this I came to a path junction, where I turned left. I was now back on a known path as this was part of the Chiltern Way and I've used it on other of my walks. As usual the path was marked by yellow waymarks and white arrows on trees, and it soon dropped steeply downhill. On leaving the wood the path ran for several hundred yards between a fence and a tall hedge on my right. It then turned left and ran between fences on either side to reach a lane.
The path through Pullingshill Wood
First World War training trenches in Pullingshill Wood
The path through Pullingshill Wood
The path through Pullingshill Wood, after I turned left (along the Chiltern Way)
The path continuing from Pullingshill Wood
Further along the same path
The same path, after it turns left
I went a short way right along the lane, then turned left along a track through Homefield Wood. I soon reached the entrance to the Homefield Wood nature reserve on my right, where I spent about 30 minutes photographing the splendid orchids there. I then continued on down the track.
The track through Homefield Wood
The track through Homefield Wood