New public right of way opens in Bledlow

Chilterns Heritage and Archaeology Manager, Dr. Wendy Morrison, was thrilled to welcome volunteers and friends of the Chilterns to Chinnor last month for the launch of an exciting new circular walk on the Carington Estate. The route provides access to the historic Bledlow Cross and Cop Hill Barrow, while also taking visitors through Thickthorne Wood, an area of private land previously inaccessible to the public (see map below).

The Estate has worked closely with the Chilterns Heritage and Archaeology Partnership (CHAP), and volunteers from Chiltern Rangers and the Chiltern Society have spent the past 18 months restoring these heritage sites and creating new paths for visitors. In the months ahead, volunteers will continue their work at Bledlow Cross, maintaining footpaths and helping keep the cross clear. Dr Morrison is waiting for Scheduled Monument consent to sample the chalk from the cross in order to learn how old the site is. After that, volunteers will be welcomed to help “scour” the ground to restore its gleaming white chalk surface. Currently, there are temporary information boards at the cross and the barrow to provide visitors with information about the history of the area, with permanent boards to follow once the archaeological work is complete.

This project was made possible by funding from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, which supports making National Landscapes accessible and welcoming for everyone. We are especially grateful to the Carington Estate for its support in opening up this section of Thickthorne Wood for everyone to explore and enjoy.