Food with a view

With far-reaching views over the Oxfordshire Vale, Aston Rowant is an area of woodland and downland on top of the Chilterns escarpment. Here, red kites wheel overhead, while chalkhill blue and silver-spotted skippers dance among the flowers. Enjoy a relaxed wander along the trails or settle down for a panoramic picnic.

Ancient beech pollards are a splendid feature of Burnham’s extensive area of woodland and commons. There are surfaced, easy-access paths that will get you to some lovely places to picnic. Wildlife abounds, with woodpeckers in the trees, common lizards basking in sunny spots, and fungi popping up among the autumnal leaf litter.

Set high in the Chiltern Hills, Cowleaze provides amazing views over the surrounding countryside. There is a great mix of habitats in this small reserve, plenty of paths to explore and a grassy area that’s perfect for picnics. The bluebells carpet the woods in late April and May and are well worth a visit.

The highest point in Bedfordshire is a stunning chalk grassland site that’s full of history. Footpaths criss-cross its grassy slopes, and a Neolithic burial ground and a set of medieval rabbit warrens make impressive stops along the way. Include the Chilterns Gateway Centre in your visit.

Higginson Park in the centre of Marlow is a classic example of a traditional urban park. It is located on the High Street and yet it benefits from access to open countryside and a superb spot on the River Thames. There are 10 hectares of fine lawns, flowerbeds, mazes, playgrounds and leisure facilities to explore. Or simply kick-back with a picnic and enjoy watching the life of the river wash by.

The village community of Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, created the Nature Park to preserve the local natural grassland and woodland. Although petite, it is still beautiful with its rare wildflower meadow and old cherry orchard telling their stories of past times. There are marked paths and a place for picnics and play.

Scale the panoramic hilltop of Ivinghoe Beacon – part of the wider Ashridge Estate – and enjoy immense views over the surrounding countryside. Look out for signs of the past on the windswept hillsides, including the remains of an Iron Age hillfort and prehistoric earthworks. As you spread your picnic blanket, be careful of the wonderful wildflowers, including the rare pasque flower, which blooms here from April.

At one of the highest points in Bedfordshire, Sundon Hills offers stunning views towards Sharpenhoe Clappers and the surrounding countryside. There are waymarked walks that take in woods, chalk hillsides, grassland and picnic facilities. The flowers and butterflies provide a riot of colour in spring and early summer.

Chenies Manor. Image: Mary Tebje

Tucked away down a winding country road, this charming Tudor manor house was visited by both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Once part of the Duke of Bedford’s estate, it was restored in the 1950s by the MacLeod Matthews family. Features include award-winning gardens, a beautiful tea room, a medieval wall and even a dungeon!

Located in Buckinghamshire just outside Aylesbury, Hartwell offers fine dining in splendour. An indulgent afternoon tea is served in the Morning Room, Drawing Room or Library – perfect surroundings for a relaxed and gentle gathering. On site, there are gardens, a hotel and a spa offering a range of treatments.

With over 800 years of history behind it, Missenden Abbey is certainly an historic setting for dining and relaxing. Built as an abbey in in the 12^th century, but dissolved by Henry VIII, it was handed between families as a manor house and eventually used as a college. Today, it is a private hotel and wedding venue, and serves an elegant afternoon tea.

Home to the Stonor family for more than 850 years, the house at Stonor Park is full of global art and treasures. The grounds are also exquisite, with myriad walks and rides, and the Park’s fantastical playground at Tumblestone Hollow will capture the imaginations of the whole family. There are lots of options for eating here, including a mouth-watering afternoon tea in the Medieval Hall.

This parish church in Great Missenden offers a different, but no less historic, setting for an afternoon tea. Visit on a Sunday afternoon in summer for homemade cakes and community spirit.

Find the unruffled hamlet of Frithsden, near Berkhamsted, and you’ll find the award-winning Alford Arms. This gem nestles in a secluded wooded valley, with the forest of Ashridge Estate on its doorstep. Dogs and muddy boots welcome!

An award-winning pub, not far from Whipsnade Zoo and Dunstable Downs – prefect to finish off a great day out. Enjoy freshly prepared dishes and local brews, enveloped in a warm and welcoming, 500-year-old pub.

This chocolate-box pub oozes charm and offers delicious food. To make a day of it, there are lots of places to visit nearby, including the bustling market town of Tring with its branch of the famous Natural History Museum, Ashridge Estate, Whipsnade Zoo and part of the Ridgeway National Trail.

This hidden treasure of a pub nestles in the woods at the back of Downley Common, and is surrounded by a whole host of wildlife and miles of trails to explore. It offers good value meals in a delightful setting.

This classic and charming country pub offers walks from its doorstep, straight out into the beautiful Chiltern surroundings. If you prefer to take it easy, there’s a very large pub garden or saunter into Chesham itself and enjoy this popular market town.

 A warm welcome awaits you in this 17^th-century pub and restaurant, with open fires, flagstone floors and beamed low ceilings. Set against the backdrop of Hawridge and Cholesbury Common, and not far from Berkhamsted, there are plenty of walks and rides close by. For history, visit Cholesbury Iron Age Hillfort before you stop for a refreshing pint or freshly sourced food.

A traditional country pub, surrounded by commons and woodlands, and lots of great walks. It boasts a large pub garden, where you can soak up the sun and enjoy a well-earned rest, a drink and a bite to eat after your local explorations.

A 16^th-century country pub catering for those looking for an authentically Chilterns dining experience. There’s much to delight the tastebuds with local game and ‘wild food’, and foraged and homegrown ingredients. Enjoy the beautiful garden, which offers incredible views over the surrounding valley.

With trails starting right from the doorstep, this classic country pub is a naturally popular stop-off with walkers and cyclists. It is close to both Watlington Hill, with its panoramic views and famous red kites, and the charming market town of Watlington.

A 17^th-century flint inn and converted barn is home to this traditional country pub in the picturesque village of South Stoke, Oxfordshire. It offers a cosy, traditional bar with log fires and a range of real ales, craft lagers and delicious wines. There is also the option to say in comfortable and relaxing rooms onsite.

This historic pub is in the centre of the picturesque village of Hambleden. Offering seasonal British food and luxurious rooms, it is the perfect countryside retreat.

For a fine-dining experience, this old English pub is a winner. Dating back to 15th century, and set amongst the rolling Chiltern Hills, it offers beautifully cooked food from an award-winning chef, fine wines and gins, beers from local micro-breweries, and an elegant place to stay. For a little more history, head into the market town of Great Missenden and wander the ancient streets or visit the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre located in the house in which he lived and worked.

A small, family run farm, surrounded by natural woodland that just happens to be a part of the Chequers Estate, Buckinghamshire. It can be reached very easily from the Ridgeway National Trail, which runs right past the shop door. Perfect for that summer BBQ as their free-range lamb tastes of the Chilterns!

Rearing pork and beef, this Oxfordshire-based farm shop proudly displays handmade sausages, bacon, gammons and burgers. There are also handmade chocolates, freshly made cakes, local cheeses and locally roasted coffee on sale. Take some time out in the farm’s Coffee Bar to sample the goodies.

This Buckinghamshire family farm offers a range of dairy products from their herd of pedigree Guernsey cows, alongside a full range of meats and deli items, including homemade pies and sausages.

This farm shop produces a range of award-winning artisan cheeses using the milk from their organic herd of cows. Visit the Cheese Shed café and enjoy delicious cheese toasties, smoothies, cakes and other snacks. They also stock a range of local produce. The Creamery is surrounded by a whole host of walks, including the 4.5-mile Nettlebed Woodland and Wildlife walk and the 6-mile Nettlebed to Warburg Nature Reserve walk.

This farm near Princes Risborough has a passion for food that is showcased through their Rare Breeds Farm, Trough Café, Farm Shop and Butchery. It offers great views of the wooded hills nearby and there are lots of walks on the doorstep – and you can even stay a while longer and enjoy ‘glamping’ at their campsite.

The Mead family have been farming in the Chilterns since the 1800s. The farm now produces arable crops, beef and has a small flock of sheep. The shop and tearoom offer great quality and choice, including the family’s award-winning Chiltern Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil.

Close to Great Missenden, this family run farm has a shop, nursery and café that are open all year-round. Enjoy great local produce and the beautiful and rustic Barn Kitchen, where reclaimed materials offer a backdrop to seasonal menus. There’s also a variety of pick your own when in season, including redcurrants, pumpkins and plums.