Haddington Hill
Encyclopedia
Haddington Hill is a hill in The Chilterns
, and the highest point in the English
county of Buckinghamshire
. On the north-eastern flank is Coombe Hill, not to be confused with another Coombe Hill
4 kilometres to the south-west.
Haddington Hill is owned by the Forestry Commission
, whose Wendover Woods
cover much of the hill. Many tracks run through the forest, and a car park is located near the summit among the trees: the flat summit means the precise location of the highest point is difficult to determine with certainty. However, in the woods to the east of the car park there is a large stone bearing the inscription 'Highest Point of the Chiltern Hills' which can reasonably be accepted as the summit. Those looking for a view will unfortunately be disappointed as the high point is surrounded by trees.
long-distance path around the head of a large indent in the chalk ridge until the road traversing the summit is reached. Cross it and continue to the summit. Follow a track north to the trig point at 260m, then follow Coombe Hill's east ridge down to the road west of Drayton Manor. Follow the roads back to West Leith. (8 miles)
, at 244m, is on the eastern ridge of this hill. It's on the road corner just west of Hastoe, at SP914091. This is a rare example of two County Tops on the same hill.
Chiltern Hills
The Chiltern Hills form a chalk escarpment in South East England. They are known locally as "the Chilterns". A large portion of the hills was designated officially as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1965.-Location:...
, and the highest point in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
. On the north-eastern flank is Coombe Hill, not to be confused with another Coombe Hill
Coombe Hill, Buckinghamshire
Coombe Hill is a hill in The Chilterns, located next to the hamlet of Dunsmore, Buckinghamshire, England, near the small town of Wendover, and overlooking Aylesbury Vale...
4 kilometres to the south-west.
Haddington Hill is owned by the Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment....
, whose Wendover Woods
Wendover Woods
Wendover Woods is an area of woodland on the north edge of the Chiltern Hills in England. Named after the nearby town of Wendover, the woods are owned by the Forestry Commission....
cover much of the hill. Many tracks run through the forest, and a car park is located near the summit among the trees: the flat summit means the precise location of the highest point is difficult to determine with certainty. However, in the woods to the east of the car park there is a large stone bearing the inscription 'Highest Point of the Chiltern Hills' which can reasonably be accepted as the summit. Those looking for a view will unfortunately be disappointed as the high point is surrounded by trees.
Ascents
The hill can, of course, be 'climbed' by simply parking in the car park and walking the hundred metres or so to the large stone. However, for those who wish to climb the hill properly, a number of varied circular walks are possible.Ascent from Tring
Follow the road to the farms at West Leith, and then climb up to the wooded ridge above Hastoe. Follow the RidgewayRidgeway
A ridgeway is a road or path that follows a ridge, or the highest part of the landscape.-Roads and pathways:*The Ridgeway, an ancient track in southern England, which now forms part of the Ridgeway Path or National Trail...
long-distance path around the head of a large indent in the chalk ridge until the road traversing the summit is reached. Cross it and continue to the summit. Follow a track north to the trig point at 260m, then follow Coombe Hill's east ridge down to the road west of Drayton Manor. Follow the roads back to West Leith. (8 miles)
Ascent from Halton
There are two paths through the woods from Halton to the summit ridge, one either side of the military base of Halton Camp. These can be combined with the forest tracks to provide a short circular walk with a distinct lack of views. (3 miles)Ascent from Wendover
Follow the Ridgeway south-east past Boswells Farm and up onto the ridge of Cock's Hill. When it turns away to the left, continue on forest tracks to the summit. Descend by way of the south-west ridge of Boddington Hill and its hill-fort. Hit a minor road and go west down to Wendover. (6 miles)Pavis Wood
The highest point of HertfordshireHertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, at 244m, is on the eastern ridge of this hill. It's on the road corner just west of Hastoe, at SP914091. This is a rare example of two County Tops on the same hill.