THE MISBOURNE CLUB
Always a good lunch followed by a fascinating talk
Walking Group
Finding Inspiration in Every Step
The walking group meets monthly March to November inclusive.
The group includes members, wives, partners and friends - the invitation to join in is extended to all.
Walks tend to be on the shorter side, up to 3 miles, to allow as many walkers as possible to join in. Walks finish at or near a pub so the walkers can enjoy lunch together. The lunch is open to all, walkers or not.
Next Walk
Tuesday 16 June
10.45am for an 11.00am departure
Meeting Point:
Rickmansworth Aquadrome Car Park, Frogmore Lane, WD3 1NB near the ‘Brown Gorilla’ waste bin.
Our next walk, to be led by Tony Felts, is on Tuesday 16th June. The route will take us around the Rickmansworth Aquadrome and will include the Stockers Lane Nature Reserve. Tony is hopeful of plenty of bird activity and strongly recommends those intending to participate to download the Merlin Bird ID free app to enhance their enjoyment of the outing.
If you would like to join the walk and/or come along for lunch afterwards please notify Tony by Tuesday 9th June. We will be eating at the Rose & Crown, which is under new ownership having just undergone a complete refurbishment.
Organisers Needed!
Volunteers for each month from June through to when our season ends in November are required. Please let Jonathan Adams know if you would be willing to help.
MAY 2026
Regrettably the number able to join our walk the May had been reduced somewhat due to sickness and a clash of dates. Even so a select group of six, led by Alan Gray, completed a 4.8 mile circular walk from The Hampden Arms, Great Hampden. The weather was cold with some annoying light rain. The route passed through some typical Buckinghamshire Beech Woods and a long stretch of Grimms Dyke. An amazing structure that still has archaeologists puzzled regarding its purpose. An excellent lunch at the pub afterwards succeeded in warming everyone up, proving a just reward for their efforts.
APRIL 2026
Eleven walkers enjoyed the 2½ mile stroll from Downley Common to Hughenden Manor, returning (after a pause at the Tearoom) by a slightly different route for lunch at the curiously named Le De Spencers Arms which is linked to the Dashwood family. The pub itself dates back to the 1600s when it was originally a bakery.
While in Parliament Sir Francis Dashwood held the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer and on leaving became the 15th ‘Baron Le Despencer’ – a role which involved dispensing funds or services on behalf of the King, However he will always be linked to the infamous Hell Fire Club associated with orgies and devil worship though this may be a myth. Dashwood was known to have a reputation for promiscuous behaviour but the allegations of devil worship may have had more to do with the parties he held to lampoon Catholicism which he opposed in his earlier days as a Jacobite.
Hughenden Manor is best known as the home of Benjamin Disraeli. Less understood was its top secret role as a map making intelligence centre for RAF Bomber Command during World War 2. This was only uncovered by chance about 20 years ago when a room steward overhead a visitor explaining to his grandson the nature of his work there when it went by the codename of ‘Hillside’
March 2026
We were blessed with glorious weather and good conditions underfoot for our first walk of the season on Wednesday 18 March around Black Park Country Park.
Black Park originated as heathland and was developed into a deer park before being purchased in 1738 by the 3rd Duke of Marlborough who expanded it as a detached hunting park for the Langley Estate. Its name derives from the dark, dense shade cast by the large number of fir and pine trees planted throughout the woodland.
A group of 10 of us set out on a gentle 2½ mile stroll around the Park before returning to our cars for the short drive to the Stag at Wexham Street where we enjoyed a hearty meal and friendly service.
November 25
Fourteen intrepid walkers set off on a crisp morning from the Half Moon in Wilstone, determined to conquer the mighty challenge of a two-mile expedition. Yes, two whole miles. Some even brought snacks.
The route was a scenic masterpiece: flat fields, gates and a canal towpath. Spirits were high, knees were creaky, and someone swore they saw a heron—or possibly a Waitrose bag in the wind.
After successfully navigating the treacherous terrain we returned triumphantly to the Half Moon pub, where warmth, chairs, and indoor plumbing awaited. There, we were joined by six more members who had wisely skipped the walking bit and gone straight to the menu. Heroes come in many forms.
We toasted Tim Phillips on reaching anothr milestone bithday. Tales of the epic journey were told with increasing exaggeration. A fine outing proving a fitting end to this year's walking season.
Our thanks go to Johnathan Adams for leading us throughout the season and on this final walk of the year.
October 2025
Unfortunately the October walk from the Hampden was cancelled due to heavy rain. Nevertheless 17 members and their partners arrived in time for a convivial lunch in good company
September 2025.
Chosen and led by David Turner, the September outing was an excellent walk around The Lee. Fifteen of us set out on a 2-mile route taking in woodland paths, open farmland and country lanes before we returned for an appetising lunch at the impressively revitalised Cock & Rabbit, where we were delighted to be joined by another two members of the Group who had not walked with us.
Walking group outing to College Lake, Tring, August 2025