Pick of our favourite outdoor cafe walks this summer

The bountiful Chilterns landscape produces superb local produce which can be enjoyed in stunning locations, tucked away in the woods, on popular walking routes, by the River Chess or on working farms.  Here are a few special places in the Chilterns, some of them new on the scene, and all with outdoor seating in beautiful locations:

Nettlebed Creamery in Oxfordshire produce a range of award-winning artisan cheeses using the milk from their organic herd of cows. They have opened a ‘Cheese Shed’ cafe and shop on site where you can purchase delicious cheese toasties, smoothies, cakes and other snacks. They also stock a range of local produce. There is plenty of outdoor seating, and lots of walks from Nettlebed, including a 4.5 mile woodland & wildlife walk  and a 6 mile walk taking in the Warburg Nature Reserve.

The Blue Tin farmshop and café is located at a high point of the wooded Chiltern Hills with spectacular views across the Oxfordshire Vale. You’ll find it hidden down a narrow country lane a couple of miles from Stoke Row. They sell a range of local produce, in addition to their own free range meat. The café is is a popular refuelling spot for walkers and cyclists. There is a great 2.5 mile stile-free walk in the nearby village of Ipsden, as well as walks on the nearby Stoke Row common.

Another popular pub/café for walkers and cyclists is Spire and Spoke in Watlington, which opened their doors a few months ago. There is a wood-fired pizza oven and mountains of cake for hungry walkers and cyclists, with plenty of outdoor tipis and sheds providing covered outdoor seating. There are lots of walks and rides from Watlington including the 4 mile chalk pits and woodland walk or the 6 mile hills and woods walk, taking in Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve with its sweeping views and rolling chalk grasslands.

Crestyl Coffee is new on the scene, an outdoor refreshment stop offering a range of drinks, snacks and ice cream for walkers and cyclists on the go. It is located on the Chess Valley Walk, close to Chenies, and surrounded by watercress beds which were farmed commercially here in the clear chalk water of the River Chess until recently. It’s open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm. See here for information on the Chess Valley Walk.

Lacy’s Farm at Lane End is a fabulous farm shop stocking their own dairy products, including luscious creamy ice cream from their herd of Guernsey cows. There are lots of walks on the local common such as the Bolter End 2 mile stile-free walk.

Buckmoorend Farm near Wendover has a farm shop open Tuesday to Sunday, they also have a kitchen serving hot food on weekends including burgers made from their own herd of cows. The popular Ridgeway National Trail runs alongside the farm and there are lots of other footpaths and bridleways on the doorstep, making it an ideal stop-off for walkers and cyclists.

Previously a pub, the Red Lion tearoom near West Wycombe is a popular choice for walkers, cyclists and leisure visitors, surrounded by classic Chilterns woodlands and the National Trust Bradenham Estate with its choice of walks. A welcoming and cosy tearoom, with outdoor seating. Local walks include the Chilterns Country West Wycombe & Bradenham walk and the Bradenham countryside trail.

Orchard View Farm near Princes Risborough has a new wood fired pizza oven as well as their outstanding café and farmshop. Located just outside the Chilterns, it offers great views of the wooded hills nearby and there are lots of walks on the doorstep.

Koko’s is a gourmet food trailer recently opened next to Shardeloes Lake, near Old Amersham, with rustic outdoor seating in a lovely wooded setting. If you decide it’s too nice to leave then there are some new lakeside glamping tipis, stay and make a break at Koko’s Lakeview Camping. It is on route of the stile-free walk from Amersham to Little Missenden or check out the walks from the Misbourne Valley.

If we’ve missed out on a great food or drink outlet on your favourite walk in the Chilterns, please do get in touch, we’d love to hear about it!