Coombe Hill

Part of the chalk escarpment of the Chiltern Hills, Coombe Hill is a wonderful place to hike to, and is the highest viewpoint in the AONB. With a summit at 853 feet (260 m) and several gentle trails, this is a perfect hill for hikers of every ability, including children. 

There’s an enormous obelisk monument at the top, dedicated to local men who lost their lives in the Boer War, and it’s quite a sight to behold. The hill once fell within the ownership of the Chequers Estate, the house of which is now the Prime Minister’s country home. Today, the hill itself is looked after by the National Trust. 

Rare plants, stunning vistas and a perfect picnic spot

There are lots of routes leading to the Coombe Hill summit, most of which are gradual ascents. The immediate area has more footpaths than roads, so it’s particularly easy to weave a visit to Coombe Hill’s grand monument into an adventure of any length. 

If you’ve got very young children, there’s even a car park near to the summit, allowing you to have a great walk without any grumbling. This car park also has picnic tables, although the summit is a much better place for a bite to eat and is lovely and grassy. 

Coombe Hill is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, thanks to its heath and grasslands. Home to a diverse range of butterfly and wildflower species, the hill is bursting with life, particularly in the summer months.