This attractive walk between the two villages of Little Missenden and Holmer Green offers a variety of splendid scenery. The route starts near the riverside which is followed east before turning southwards and uphill to Holmer Green, along ancient sunken lanes and field paths with spectacular views before returning downhill to Little Missenden.
Follow the road east out of Little Missenden and leave the road at Toby's Farm to follow lanes beside the River Misbourne which tumbles over a clean gravel bed and is edged by ragged green weed. Water meadows meet the steep tree-fringed hills. The path leads east over fields and crosses over the edge of the lakes below Shardeloes, an impressive house standing high on the hill. The lakes were sculpted by Humphry Repton in the late 18th century. Today they are home to a great variety of water birds including moorhens, coots, and ducks.
Shardeloes, which overlooks the lakes, was built by Stiff Leadbetter in 1766 and later much altered by Robert Adam. It is a majestic, square, white-stuccoed house. Its large north-facing portico was designed by Adam and James Wyatt. After World War Two the property was sold and converted into flats and maisonettes. Continuing on, passing through Mop End and Beaumont End, both of which have fine examples of the local napped flint and brick architecture, Holmer Green is reached over flat upland fields.
Holmer Green was once a sleepy village of character, not so now with extensive urban sprawl, including a series of housing estates. The pretty core of the village remains though, including the common and characterful refreshment premises. There is also the charming duck pond to seek out while leaving the village and before heading downhill across countryside back to Little Missenden. This finale involves following flinty sunken lanes. Ancient of course, they have long connected the two villages.
Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
