This map and its associated instructions have been cheerfully plagiarised from a leaflet printed in 1994 by Aston Abbotts Parish Council and Bucks County Council to celebrate a centenary of civil Local Government. Length: 1.5 miles Waymarking: Originally the route was waymarked with the village walk logo and yellow arrows. Most of these survive, but some are badly faded now. The Going: Mainly level, no steep hills. About 50% walking on grass. Five stiles to be negotiated.

1. Starting at the Green opposite the thatched lodge by the wrought iron gates, proceed to the Grove past the old chapel erected in 1839 now converted to houses (on your right). Pass through the kissing gate and continue to the next kissing gate in the iron fence, keeping the little overgrown pond on your left. Over to your left is a fine view of the Abbey, once owned by the Abbott of St. Albans until the dissolution of monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII The 19th-century navigator and discoverer of the magnetic pole, Rear- Admiral Sir James Clark Ross, once lived at the Abbey and lies buried in the village churchyard. Not visible from the walk are the two lake islands he named Erebus and Terror after the two ships he took on a voyage of exploration to the Antarctic between 1839 and 1843. During the Second World War, Dr. Eduard Benes, former President of Czechoslovakia and leader of its government-in-exile, found refuge at the Abbey. 2. Continue to the next iron fence, cross that stile and turn left along Norduck Lane. 3. Turn right into Moat Lane, through the gate to Lines Hill with panoramic views across the Vale of Aylesbury and the Chilterns. Wingrave Church, County Hall Coombe Hill Monument and Hardwick Church can be seen along the skyline. 4. At the footpath sign on Lines Hill continue on for a short distance to the Trig Point standing 450ft above sea level [note: the concrete trig point marker has been removed and now resides in the village orchard], and look to your left to see the outlines of the medieval village of Burston in a field beyond the old farm house. Named Birdstane in the Domesday book, the villagers were summarily evicted and the houses demolished by the Lord of the manor. He had decided to raise sheep on land which the villagers had always cultivated in common. The land has probably never been ploughed since then, so the foundations of houses and wall are clearly visible as humps in the ground - especially when the sun is low. The Science Museum in London has a model of the Burston remains, to show how oblique lighting can reveal sites of archaeological interest. 5. Return to the footpath sign, cross the stile and make for the white gate and stile. Cross the stile and, keeping Windmill Hill Barns (now transformed into private dwellings) on your left, cross the stile in the hedgerow at the end of the orchard.

6. Proceed towards the white gate in the top left hand corner of the field, noting the different species of wild grasses and flowers at different times of year. 7. Cross the stile and turn right towards the village and right again at the junctions of the Green and Moat Lane, passing the Old House and the entrance to Bricstock (so named because it was once believed to be a stacking place for locally made bricks), now a cul- de-sac for old peoples bungalows surrounding the recreation ground. Along this section of the route you will pass several blocks of houses dated 1854 and now tastefully modernised, and the now closed village shop can still be seen at the right hand end of the Old Cottage, the oldest building in the village dating back to 1540. Bear left passing the former Bull & Butcher pub (now Humphreys Close), and return to the Green. Alternatively turn right at The Old Cottage and proceed down the Wingrave Road for 150 metres until you turn a left hand bend Here you will will find the Royal Oak thatched pub which, unfortunately, has remained closed since the pandemic.

When in the countryside please follow the Country Code Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work Guard against all risk of fire Fasten all gates Keep your dogs under close control Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls Leave livestock. crops and machinery alone Take your litter home Help to keep all water clean Protect wildlife, plants and trees Take special care on country roads Make no unnecessary noise LEAVE ONLY YOUR FOOTPRINTS TAKE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHS

So What’s So Special? Where Are We? Today & Housing Facilities, Industry, Threats The Village Walk Footpaths & Bridleways Field Map