The best walks and hikes around Philipshill Wood

Yes, the area is ideal for circular walks. Many trails start from nearby Chorleywood and create loops through the woodland. A great example is the Philipshill Wood – No Dragon Wood loop from Chorleywood, which offers a pleasant tour of the ancient woodland scenery.

Spring is a particularly magical time to visit. The woodland floor becomes carpeted with a stunning display of bluebells, typically in late April and early May. Autumn is also beautiful, with rich colours from the beech and oak trees.

Definitely. The terrain is mostly gentle with well-defined paths, making it very accessible for family outings. There are numerous shorter, easy routes, such as the View of Cows in the Field – The Tea Shack loop from Heronsgate, which is under 6 km and provides a manageable adventure for little legs.

Yes, Philipshill Wood is a great place to walk your dog. As it's managed by the Woodland Trust, it's important to keep dogs under control, especially during bird nesting season and around wildlife. The numerous paths provide plenty of space for them to explore with you.

There is no official car park directly at Philipshill Wood. Most walkers find on-street parking in the residential areas of nearby Chorleywood or Heronsgate. Please be considerate of local residents when parking your car.

The most convenient way to reach the area by public transport is to take the train to Chorleywood station, which is served by both the London Underground (Metropolitan line) and Chiltern Railways. From the station, it's a short walk to the various trailheads leading into the woods.

The majority of hikes are rated as easy to moderate. The terrain consists of gentle rolling hills and well-maintained woodland paths. While there are over 300 easy routes, you can also find more challenging options, like the 14.5 km The Cock Inn, Sarratt – View of the River Chess loop from Chorleywood, which involves more distance and elevation.

Yes, the Chiltern Way, a 125-mile circular route through the Chilterns AONB, passes along the southern edge of Philipshill Wood. You can easily incorporate a section of this famous trail into a shorter local hike.

Philipshill Wood is considered an ancient woodland because it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. It contains historical features like 900-year-old hedgerows, old saw pits, and chalk pits that point to centuries of human interaction. A trackway on its eastern boundary, Old Shire Lane, is believed to have been the border between the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex.

Yes, several trails combine the woodland of Philipshill Wood with the scenic Chess Valley. For a route that includes riverside paths and open fields, consider the View of Cows in the Field – The Tea Shack loop from Chorleywood, which offers a lovely mix of landscapes.

The hiking routes are highly regarded by the komoot community, with over 8,500 visitors contributing to an average rating of 4.6 stars. Hikers frequently praise the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient woodland, the well-marked paths, and the spectacular bluebell displays in spring.

There is an extensive network of trails to choose from, with over 500 routes available on komoot. These range from short, easy strolls perfect for a quick escape to longer, more demanding hikes that explore the wider Chilterns landscape.