A Chiltern circular walk from Henley

England, England, England: it is generally accepted that there is no better time to visit the English countryside than June, when the days are long and hot and the air is fragrant with the scent of wildflowers. Theoretically, anyway.

In theory and in practice there is no better landscape in which to enjoy these things than the destination of our next walk. So lovely is it, indeed, that it was the backdrop for the opening credits of the Vicar of Dibley, that sadly missed situation comedy starring the lovely Dawn French. I am of course referring to the Chilterns, near Henley-on-Thames.

This circular walk will be approximately 14 miles (22 km). A long morning will cover about a half of it, including some sturdy climbs and strident views – and rewarded with a fine pastoral pub lunch. In reversal of this group’s normal practice, the afternoon will then be relatively flat and unchallenging past the chocolate-box villages of Skirmett (home to a pub called The Frog – you see what they did there?) and Hambleden, culminating in a gentle stroll on the banks of the Thames back into Henley.

All of that taken in to account, it's a fab walk, and do come. See you there! As ever I'll get tickets when we're all assembled on the day.