British Blog—Beech Tree Woods

“Leave the wood through a wooden kissing gate, following a path gently rising through the field.”

 From “Walks in the Chilterns”

Everything here is more wonderful than I could have imagined.

We live on Grimm’s Hill, within walking distance to the village shops of Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. A few steps from our door, at the end of the lane, is a magical Beech tree wood.

Angling Spring Wood it’s called, and it is a beautiful, peaceful place, especially this time of year, when the delicate canopy of leaves glows with fall color.

Thick amber mulch cushions the ground. Rustle and flap of wings; a bird flushed from its perch. These are the woods that inspired Roald Dahl, resident of Great Missenden, to write children’s books such as “The Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

A visit to the local public library yields a temporary library card and a book describing scenic walks in the area. My plan is to explore the dense network of public footpaths—century old trails throughout England and Wales on which the public have a legally protected right to travel on foot—in the countryside around Great Missenden.

“Just past the farmhouse, when the road bends right, take the path on your left and pause to admire the view over the valley.”