Six routes - 135 miles of cycling.
The six routes
The Bernwood area has a network of cycling routes with part of the Buckinghamshire section of The National Byway. The 6 routes provide cycling outings in the Bernwood Forest area, and help raise awareness and develop enjoyment of the forest.
They guide you to some of the most interesting aspects within and around the former forest’s ancient boundary. The route starts at west of Woburn and finishes at west of Boarstall. It covers sections of Route 51 of the National Cycle Network between Bicester and Milton Keynes.
The routes range from 12 to 34 miles in length and are sign-posted.
A county of contrasts
Buckinghamshire is a county of contrasts. Its southern boundary on the banks of the River Thames is a world away from the wooded Chiltern hills, and the limestone towns and villages to the north.
Bernwood Forest, once situated in the rural Vale of Aylesbury, was named and used for hunting by the Anglo-Saxon kings.
The forest entered written history in the early 11th century when King Edward the Confessor established a royal palace within its boundaries at Brill. At its peak during the reign of Henry II, the forest covered an area of about 50 parishes in modern day Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
It fell within the boundaries of:
- the River Great Ouse
- Padbury Brook
- Claydon Brook
- River Thame
The forest reached as far north as Buckingham, west towards Oxford and south to Aylesbury.
Bernwood history
Bernwood was not only a place of trees, it was a rich mosaic of pastures, arable fields, meadows, heathland, busy settlements and woodland.
Harsh forest laws protected the land for the sole purpose of the King’s hunt.
In the early 17th century, disafforestation (abolishment of the legal status of the Forest) took place and Bernwood as a legal entity was no more. Yet it had played a critical part in the shaping of the landscape as it is today.
Six of the best-preserved open field systems in Middle England still exist, as well as the earthworks of abandoned medieval villages.
Floodplain meadows and ancient semi-natural woodlands can still be seen. A rich network of hedgerows and historic parklands also survive. Many historic villages remain, with listed buildings and rural way of life.
To guide you along your way, we have designed a series of circular loop routes of various distances.
Printed maps of these routes are included in the Bernwood Jubilee Way guidebook. Details on how to request a copy can be found on the introduction page.
25 miles (shorter versions 12 and 16 miles).
The ride starts at Haddenham into the countryside.
- Beyond the village, cross the A418 road before arriving in Cuddington.
- After leaving Cuddington, join The National Byway main route on its way through Buckinghamshire. A mile along the road is the next village of Chearsley.
- The route begins to climb past a laneway leading to Notley Abbey.
- Ahead is the village of Long Crendon. This is the 6 mile point. Here stands the 14th century Courthouse, otherwise known as Staple Hall. Owned by the National Trust, the building is sometimes open to the public. If it isn’t, the stately church is.
- Head north from Long Crendon. The road continues to rise to Chilton. If you want a shorter ride, on the way to Chilton there is a minor road turning right. This will take you back to Chearsley 2 miles away and so back to Haddenham. This totals 12 miles.
- In Chilton there is opportunity to shorten the ride. Go straight on instead of turning left, through Dorton. Rejoin the longer route on its return from Ludgershall, a 16-mile trip.
- Stay on the 25-mile route and turn left in Chilton. The road drops down before climbing again towards Brill.
- A 17th century windmill stands to the west of Brill village. Here there are views across to the Cotswold hills. A mile off the route is Boarstall. There is a short detour to visit this place.
- Back on the route, the road drops away as it approaches Ludgershall. This is the 12 mile point.
- Enter the village. Head to the right in the village past the green. The ride now heads south towards Wotton Underwood.
- On the way there is a road junction. The road off to the left is part of a spur which joins up the two circular rides featured on the printed map.
- The route is not signposted to Wotton Underwood. It stands at the end of a minor dead-end lane. This is a detour to the route, to take in the sights.
- Back on the route, the road climbs again, up towards the village of Ashendon. Turn left off the route to enter the village to visit its church. Climb again to drop down to the River Thame, rejoining The National Byway main route.
The loop is then complete.
Return through Cuddington and on to Haddenham. A total of 12, 16 or 25 miles depending upon the route selected.
34 miles (shorter versions 20 or 22 miles).
This route starts and finishes in Bicester.
- Start at either Bicester North or Bicester Town railway station. This provide access to the Bernwood Forest area from London or Banbury. They are a short 3 mile spur to and from the circular rides of either 20 or 34 miles. The route shares with the National Cycle Route 51.
- Pass through Launton. The spur ends as it turns right onto the circular route to Marsh Gibbon.
- Head eastwards through Charndon. The route arrives at a crossroads where the spur south to the Haddenham loop joins. Then on to Calvert and Steeple Claydon with 9 miles ridden.
- At the village turning left will take you back towards Bicester and completion of a 20-mile route. Details of the rest of this ride below.
- Through the village to Buckingham before returning to Bicester is a longer ride of 34 miles.
- Pass south of Claydon House grounds, ride northwards towards Buckingham. This shares a route with National Route 51 for the next 10 miles.
- Through Botolph Claydon and down through East Claydon. Over the Claydon Brook, past an ancient earthwork at the junction for Padbury and so on to Gawcott. Turn right onto a spur into Buckingham, with 20 miles ridden.
- Leaving Buckingham, return to Gawcott and turn right onto a busy road. The into the lanes and byways of the forest area.
- Shortly after Gawcott head left off the main road, towards Hillesden.
- Turn westwards before Hillesden for a short detour to visit the church of All Saints.
- Re-join the route and cross the road again onto Preston Bissett, with 25 miles ridden.
- South through countryside, to the second loop junction.
- Turning left into Steeple Claydon will provide a 22 mile route from Buckingham.
- Turning right leads back towards Bicester by way of Twyford.
- Through Poundon village to Poundon Hill. Descend across the Oxfordshire border to another junction.
- Turning left will take the route back to Buckingham and provide a 22-mile ride.
- Riders starting and returning to Bicester, go straight ahead for 3 miles to the end.
This route is 6 miles.
The loop rides of:
- Haddenham to Ludgershall loop
- Bicester to Buckingham loop
are joined together by a short link which increases the number of alternative routes.
- The start of the link is south of Ludgershall at the north end of the Haddenham loop.
- It joins up with the Bicester/Buckingham loop six miles to the north near Steeple Claydon.
- Turn off the loop near Ludgershall. The link route approaches the A41 main road. Take care when crossing here.
- The route passes through the village of Grendon Underwood.
- The road is busy in this area for 1 to 2 miles. The link then joins up with the Bicester/Buckingham loop at a crossroads.
Safety first
Before you set off on any journey remember:
- check your bicycle regularly including tyre pressures, or have it done by a reputable cycle dealer
- be visible to other road users: bright-coloured or reflective clothing should be worn
- always wear a cycle helmet
- follow the Highway Code
- be courteous to other road users as you expect them to be to you
- ride positively and decisively
- ride in single file when the road is narrow
- keep ears as well as eyes alert