Now spring is here, are you trying to find new places to take your family? If you’re looking at an open weekend and wondering where to go, this is the article for you. Just outside of Notting Hill, a short drive away, are many beautiful walks. These are our favourite walks in Chiltern and Oxford offering a simple way to get some fresh air and exercise in. Whether you have kids in tow, or you’re looking for a quiet escape on your own or with a partner, each of these walks will make you feel relaxed and ready to start the following week. Check out our favourite family nature walks near Notting Hill!

Chesham Riverside and Woodland Walk

1 hour drive from Notting Hill – 2.5 mile walk

Chiltern is well known for its beech woodlands, historical sites and incredible flora and fauna making it the first on our list of family nature walks near Notting Hill. This route shows of the beautiful views over Chess Valley and some of its famous locations. This includes the spring ed Chesham Moor swimming pool and the Metropolitan Railway. You’ll also come across where Thomas Harding was arrested as well as Hodds Wood and Great Bois Wood which are ancient deciduous woodlands. This specific route also passes the lakes where the old gravel pits were of Cannon’s Mill and the River Chess. These habitats are now only found in southern England, northern Frand and New Zealand, this is a special area.

Check out the Chesham Riverside and Woodland Walk route here.

West Wycombe Woodland Walk

1 hour drive from Notting Hill – 2.5 mile walk

Another favourite in Chiltern is Wast Wycombe Woodland. With an initial steady start uphill, it’s worth the effort, walking up through the trees to finally reach the stunning views across Chiltern. As you head downhill, you’ll reach the Dashwood Mausoleum and Hell Fire caves. Originally, these caves were excavated to provide both chalk for the new turnpike and work for the local community. Their current name comes from them being later used as a meeting place for the notorious Hellfire Club. Above this you’ll see the Golden Ball, raised to make it visible for afar so these meetings could take place. The history of this location also goes even further back as it’s also an area that has has archaeological evidence that there may have been human activity in the area during the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. If you’re looking for a leg stretch with some interesting history, this is the walk for you.

Check out the full West Wycombe Woodland Walk route.

The Oxford Canal and River Walk Circular

1 – 1.5 hour drive from Notting Hill – 2 mile walk

As you can imagine, Oxford has plenty of walks in and around the city. Combine the canal, natural landscapes and beautiful architecture and you’ve got a top rated walk. Due to the nature of the city layout, this walk can be easily extended if something grabs your attention and you want to go and explore further. This walk starts relatively close to the station, so is accessible by train too. This simple route is approximately an hours walk making it a great choice for experiencing a new city in a manageable way, even with kids in tow.

Find The Oxford Canal and River Walk Circular here.

The White Horse Hill Circular Walk

1 – 1.5 hours drive from Notting Hill – 7 mile walk

If you’re new to the Oxfordshire area, then White Horse Hill is a must see. This circular walk includes one of Britain’s oldest chalk hill figures as well as incredible views of the surrounding area. This is the longest route on our list at 7 miles starting at the main White Horse Hill car park. If you want a hike with countryside, hills and areas covered in history and legends, this is one for you. The main attraction is Uffington White Horse. A prehistoric chalk figure that has had admirers for centuries, this is an iconic landmark with some of the most stunning views in the area. A slightly more challenging option than our other choices, it’s still a family-friendly option with well maintained trails and a handful of pub stops along the way for refreshing breaks.

See the full White Horse Hill Circular Walk here.

The Harcourt Arboretum Trail

1 – 1.5 hours drive from Notting Hill – Anything length walk you need

Finally on our list of family nature walks near Notting Hill is a must visit place for anyone who wants to immerse themselves or share nature with their closest friends and family. In Nuneham Courtenay you’ll find the University of Oxford’s Botanic Garden. The Harcourt Arboretum trail weaves through this 130 acres including 67 acres of wildflower meadows. For little ones learning about plant varieties, they’ll find everything from rhododendrons to bluebells and trees from the Pacific Northwest and North America.

This walk can easily be customised to however you’re feeling. The paths in the space all connect at one place or another and you can do endless loops and you’ll still have to come back another day to see the bits you’ve missed. Simply head to the main entrance, and enter into this tranquil space for a true escape from the city. You can find more details about this are here.

From the woodlands of Chiltern Hills to the history of Oxford, these are five family nature walks near Notting Hill. Each offers a different view of British landscapes and history. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or an adventurous hike, these five walks are a short jump out of London. Spend a little time discovering and relaxing in the beauty of the great outdoors. Lace up your boots, breathe in the fresh air and let the wonders of nature guide you and your family on an adventure.

Find out about Living in Notting Hill here!