Autumn Walk: Old Amersham & the Shardeloes Estate
Join us for an atmospheric autumn walk through the beautiful countryside surrounding Old Amersham and the historic Shardeloes estate.
Our route of approximately five miles will take us across open fields and through woodland, with views across the Misbourne Valley and Shardeloes’ 18th-century parkland. By November, the landscape should be well into its seasonal transformation: expect fallen leaves underfoot, bare branches appearing overhead and plenty of rich autumn colour lingering in the woods.
At the heart of the estate is Grade I-listed Shardeloes House, an elegant Palladian mansion built between 1758 and 1766. Its surrounding park and lake were shaped by some of the leading landscape designers of the period, including Nathaniel Richmond and Humphry Repton. During the Second World War, the house became a maternity hospital, where more than 5,000 babies were born.
The walk should take around 2–2½ hours. Afterwards, anyone who would like to can join us for an optional lunch at the historic Elephant & Castle in Old Amersham, which serves a mixture of traditional British and Cantonese/South-East Asian dishes.
Walk details
- Distance: approximately 5 miles
- Duration: around 2–2½ hours
- Starting point: Old Amersham
- Terrain: field paths, woodland tracks and potentially muddy or slippery sections
- What to bring: sturdy, waterproof footwear and clothing suitable for the November weather
- After the walk: optional lunch at the Elephant & Castle
Please note that the route may be adjusted if paths are particularly wet or conditions require it.
