Getting There
Leave the M40 at Junction 5 and take the A40 signed Stokenchurch and West Wycombe. Northbound turn right, Southbound turn left.
Immediately turn left, signed A40 Lewknor, Oxford to pass ‘The Kennel Shop’.
Turn left signed Christmas Common, Chiltern Sculpture Trail
Drive over the motorway and then turn left into the Cowleaze Woods Forestry Commission car park.
Return to M40 Junction 5
From Cowleaze Wood
Turn right out of the car park and continue ahead to drive over the motorway.
At the junction, turn right onto the A40 and continue ahead to return to junction 5 of the M40.
From Lewknor
Return to the T-junction and turn left, Princes Risborough B4009 and follow this road to return to the M40.
Cowleaze Woods
Leave the car park and walk away from the road on one of the many paths. This will bring you to a broad swathe of grass, which seems to be the playground of choice for many local dogs. There’s plenty of space here for dogs to charge around happily, and on a wet day expect muddy paws and tums from the large puddles that it seems no dog can resist.
Within the wood there are many paths to choose from to make this a very satisfying 30-40 minute walk for people and dogs alike. In Spring the ground of Cowleaze Wood is awash with bluebells.
An alternate route starts on the other side of the road, opposite the two disabled parking spaces, through a gate signed with a public footpath sign. This path leads to Lewknor (1.5 miles) with one short road section on the B4009, turning left and then right into the village. We didn’t walk this route, being keen to get to the Leathern Bottle for lunch, but it looks well worth exploring for a longer walk with a victualling stop at the pub in the middle.
Facilities
Free parking, information boards. Dog poo bins in car park. There is a height restriction of 6ft 6.
Meals and snacks are available at The Leathern Bottle in nearby Lewknor. This is a popular pub with a fine range of home cooked meals and reservations are a good idea at weekends. Dogs are welcome in the pub, and dog water is provided.
Food is served Mon-Fri 1200-1400, 1900-2130; Saturday 1800-2200, Sunday 1900-2130
To reach Lewknor, turn right out of the car park and then left on reaching the A40, signed Oxford. Then turn left onto the B4009 Lewknor/M40. Turn right at the sign to Lewknor, Watlington Road, and Ye Olde Leathern Bottle is on the left.
This is MY favourite walk
Edi