Chess Valley local circular walk

This 2 mile walk starts on the Village Green.  There is a 170’ descent into the Chess Valley and a similar climb back up to the Village Green at the end.  Apart from that it is flat.

Being circular, it can be walked in either direction – LC is Local clockwise; LA is Local anti-clockwise.

A PDF document of this walk can be downloaded here

Chess Valley local circular clockwise

LC1.  Take the gravel path towards Chenies Manor and St. Michael’s Church.

LC2. Immediately before the Manor gates, turn right down a path between the Manor and the Church.

LC3. When the path enters a wood, take the middle path which goes diagonally down the hill. (The path is not particularly well defined but the one directly down the hill is very steep and slippery).

LC4. After 100 yards turn right down a well-defined path towards the road and cottages in Chenies Bottom.

LC5. Cross the road (taking great care – traffic frequently exceeds the speed limit here and visibility is poor) and continue down the road opposite to cross the River Chess.

LC6. Walk along the road in the valley for about 150 yards (signed Chess Valley Walk).

LC7. Pass through the metal gate on the right taking the path along the river valley.

LC8. Continue along this path to Frogmore Meadow (the path does not go into the nature reserve) and continue beyond to reach the concrete road leading to Valley Farm, with watercress beds and a ford on your right.

LC9. Do not continue along the road but turn right and cross the river on the footbridge. (This is (DC7) in the Chess Valley Circular downstream clockwise walk).

LC10. Follow what was once a country lane but is now a bridleway back towards Chenies Village. This is Holloway Lane and comes out at the bottom of the Village Green.

Chess Valley local circular anti-clockwise

LA1. At the bottom of the Village Green, take the gated road to the right. This is Holloway Lane. Follow this for about ¾ mile, keeping left towards the river at the end

LA2. Cross over the river at the ford and emerge onto a concrete road.

LA3. Immediately turn left between metal bars along a board walk.

LA4. Follow this path at the side of the river valley past Frogmore Meadow for 2/3 mile until it emerges onto Mill Lane. Turn left.

LA5. Stay on Mill Lane past Mill Farm and pass back over the Chess and the mill stream.

LA6. Turn left at the T-junction and walk up the road for about 100 yards.

LA7. Take the path on the right which runs parallel to and above the road, to emerge back onto the road at the bottom of Chenies Village Green.