Denham combines trails through a varied parkland landscape with local and film history. The village is part of the Colne Valley Regional Park, whose landscape includes farmland, woodland, lakes and rivers. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose between activities in Denham Country Park, walks and historical interests.
Trails and activities in Denham Country Park
Denham Country Park is connected to local footpaths, bridleways and the South Bucks Long Distance Route. The Adventure Zone is suitable for children up to and including the age of twelve. A brass-rubbing trail leads to ten stations and offers another way to explore the park.
An accessible landscape trail is 1.3 miles (2 kilometres) long. It passes through a wet meadow and woodland, and goes by two rivers and the Grand Union Canal. The details of this trail distinguish it clearly from the other routes: both the landscape sections and the waterways along the route are a focus.
Cycling is also possible in Denham Country Park. At the Grand Union Canal, visitors can join the Colne Valley Trail. There is also a gently sloping access point to the Misbourne Chalk Stream outside the café, suitable for paddling.
Walking between park, village and woodland
The Denham Circular Walk passes through the country park and historic Denham Village. The Denham Woodlands Walk goes through ancient woodland and the Misbourne Valley. The two routes therefore differ mainly in the landscapes described: the Circular Walk connects the park and village, while the Woodlands Walk focuses on woodland and valley. Denham Golf Club Station is recommended as the starting point for the broader Denham Woodlands Route.
A walking route in Denham passes the grave of Sir John Mills CBE. One route also includes a stop to view the mosaic beside the Roman Well. Denham village centre has changed remarkably little since the last century.
Architecture and film history
Denham Place was built between 1688 and 1701 for Sir Roger Hill, probably to a design by William Stanton. The country house dates from the late 17th century. Its landscape park was created in the 1760s and 1770s; the remains of a formal garden dating from the late 17th century have also survived. Lancelot Brown may have designed the landscape park.
Other buildings also represent different periods: Village Road is part of an architectural conservation area. Hills House is an altered late-17th-century house, built of red brick, with three storeys, a tiled roof and four alternately shaped, stepped gables. The Old Bakery contains a medieval hall with a so-called base-cruck tie beam. The Falcon Inn dates from the 16th century.
Denham Film Studios operated from 1936 to 1952 and were founded by Alexander Korda. Walter Gropius and Maxwell Fry designed the studio building for Korda in 1936. Well-known films shot there include “The Thief of Baghdad”, “Brief Encounter”, “Great Expectations” and “Hamlet”. Alongside its older buildings, the village’s history therefore offers a distinct perspective on 20th-century film production.
Getting there and practical information
Chiltern Railways run direct trains from London Marylebone to the heart of the Colne Valley Regional Park once or twice an hour. As timetables can change, check the service before travelling. The Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre in Denham Country Park is the main information point for the wider regional park. As it is temporarily closed, check its current status before travelling.
When planning your visit, you can focus on the park trails and waterside landscape or include Denham’s architectural and film history. The Denham Circular Walk offers a way to combine the country park and historic village in a single walk.
Discover more destinations: Farnham Royal, Chesham, Ivinghoe, Weston Turville, Aston Clinton, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Stoke Poges.
For the broader travel overview: Buckinghamshire.
