The best MTB trails around Chesham

Look for the tranquil course of the Bourne Gutter, slipping to the east of the saddle in White Hill Lane. Here, Culvert Rise marks a source of the Bourne Gutter - aka Hertfordshire Bourne - an occasional tributary of the River Bulbourne, a winterbourne if you will.

Final part of the route is quite narrow and plants have overgrown further narrowing the path

The walk starts out from Amersham town centre. Highly recommended for breakfast before starting the hike is Sycamore, my personal favourite place for breakfast in Amersham with a variety of food options and excellent coffee (make sure to try the Figgy Anzac cookies!). Other good options are Nena Craft Bakery and A Little Street Kitchen which are both nearby.

I do like this stretch - the top is pretty, and it is a nice short hill both ways, but the surface is very broken with lots of gravel.

There is a lovely little weir on the River Chess here that's worth stopping by. Also, on the same pond, you will see stepping stones (called Steps of Heaven by some) if you'd like to walk across! A good few years ago, I used to live in the street right next to these ponds, so I can vouch for the fact that this is a great place to spend some time at, particularly in the summer.

The history of the village of St Leonard's is tightly connected with the chapel of Leonard's - and this dates back to the 12th century. The present church, however, was built in the 15th century. As many such places, it has had a tumultuous history. For instance, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the chapel continued being used and Queen Elizabeth inquired in 1586 into why the chapel and the lands had not reverted to the Crown. The church feel into disrepair in the 17th century. What can be seen today is in the simple Queen Anne style, and was rebuilt around 1700s. The whitewashed walls are striking and give the church a unique look. In the winter, it can look brilliant after snow, and in the spring, when the snowdrops come up (plenty of them in the church grounds), it also looks terrific.

There is a lovely little weir on the River Chess here that's worth stopping by. Also, on the same pond, you will see stepping stones (called Steps of Heaven by some) if you'd like to walk across! A good few years ago, I used to live in the street right next to these ponds, so I can vouch for the fact that this is a great place to spend some time at, particularly in the summer.

It's a lovely pub here in Botley Road for some food and drink. Be sure to go around the back - in the summer, you should be able to witness a lovely wildflower meadow on the grass here!