Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

Cliveden woodland walking trail

Woodland path in Spring at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire — Woodland walks at Cliveden | © National Trust Images/Alan Travers

Explore the woodland at Cliveden on this moderate walk taking in a play trail for the kids, picnic areas and spectacular views over the River Thames and the surrounding countryside.

Near to

Cliveden

Start point

Cliveden information centre, grid ref: SU910856

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)

Duration1 hour to 2 hours

Dog friendly***

*Mostly flat with some gentle slopes. For further details, see the Terrain section.
**Some puddles in wetter months. For further details, see the Access section.
***Dogs should be on leads at certain points. For further details, see the Facilities section.

Accessing Cliveden estate

The historic country estate of Cliveden overlooks the River Thames and is open daily for most of the year. For access to these walking routes, you will need to be a National Trust member or pay the admission fee at the entrance to the estate.

Address
Cliveden main car park, Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire, SL1 8NS
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Taplow station is 2.5 miles (4km) away (trains don't run on Sundays). Burnham station is 3 miles (4.8km) away.
By ferry
There's no ferry as such but you can hire a boat in Maidenhead or Windsor and travel to Cliveden on the River Thames. There's mooring for half a mile downstream from Cliveden boathouse. Mooring costs £10 for 24 hours.
Cycling
From Taplow, you can cycle approximately 2 miles (3.2km) north on Cliveden Road to the estate.
By road
The start of the route is 2 miles (3.2km) north of Taplow. Leave the M4 at junction 7 onto the A4, or the M40 at junction 4 onto the A404 to Marlow. Follow the brown signs to the woodland car park. Postcode for satnav: SL1 8NS.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome but should be kept on leads at the start of the walk, between Steps 1 and 2.
Car park
Parking at Cliveden is included in the admission fee.
Toilet
There are toilets at the Woodland Lounge on the second half of the walk. At Cliveden, there are toilets in the Gas Yard, by the Conservatory and by the Storybook Play Den. There are baby-changing facilities in the Gas Yard toilets.
Café
You can visit the Conservatory Café at Cliveden.
Cycle parking
There are cycle racks in the car park at Cliveden. Please don't cycle on the estate.
Kiosk
There is a refreshments kiosk in the Walled Garden at Cliveden, with a drinking water tap for refilling bottles.
Suitable for all-terrain buggies and the all-terrain wheelchairs that can be booked ahead of your visit. Mostly flat and dry but with a few puddles in winter. There is a gravel track on Green Drive to walk on during the wetter months.
Designated parking
There are designated parking spaces in the main car park at Cliveden.
Accessible toilet
There are accessible toilets at Cliveden next to the Storybook Play Den and in the Gas Yard.
Wheelchairs available
Manual all-terrain wheelchairs are available to hire ahead of your visit. Please email [email protected] or call 01628 605069 to book.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Cliveden information centre, grid ref: SU910856
Stage 1
Exit the car park via the ornate gates near the information centre and immediately turn left. Go through a second metal gate and follow the right-hand path signed 'Woodlands', skirting the edge of the Water Garden.
Stage 2
Leave the Water Garden via the wooden gate and follow the avenue straight ahead. Known as Green Drive, this route will take you past our entry kiosk (take care crossing the road) and into the woods.
Stage 3
Continue along Green Drive for another 0.6 miles (1km).
Stage 4
Shortly after passing the last houses in the Cliveden Village development on your left, look out for a path on your right signed 'Play Trail' in yellow letters. For the Play Trail, follow the yellow arrows to the right. To continue on this walk, bear left.
Enjoying a woodland play trail | © National Trust Images/John Millar
Stage 5
In approximately 180ft (50m), where the path splits again, take the right-hand fork. Note: to visit the Woodland Lounge, where you'll find toilets and a picnic area, follow the left fork. To continue the walk, retrace your steps to this point (don't go further along the left fork as the paths don't re-join).
Stage 6
After a further 100ft (30m), turn right at the T-junction.
Stage 7
Continue on the wide path along the clifftop, following the fingerposts to 'Dukes Statue'. To your left, you'll start to catch glimpses of the surrounding countryside and River Thames below.
Stage 8
The path eventually brings you to a viewpoint with sweeping countryside vistas. Follow the path to your right (away from the river), where you'll see Cliveden House and the Parterre below. Continue along this avenue of lime trees to re-join Green Drive.
The Duke of Sutherland's statue
The 2nd Duke of Sutherland built the current Cliveden House. This marble statue of the duke once sat on the Grand Avenue until later owner Lord Astor moved it to make way for the Fountain of Love. The statue's current position is known as the Duke's Seat and can be seen from the South Terrace. Look out from the statue for expansive views of Cliveden House, the garden and the surrounding countryside.
The 2nd Duke of Sutherland, who built the current Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire | © National Trust/Andrew Butler
Stage 9
At the second crossroads, bear left onto Green Drive and follow the fingerposts to retrace your steps back to the Water Garden.
End point
Cliveden information centre, grid ref: SU910856
Trail map
The route of the woodland walk at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Place

Cliveden

Glorious gardens and woodlands overlooking the River Thames

Family visitors enjoying a woodland walk

Trail

Cliveden blue walking trail

A family-friendly woodland walk with a natural den and picnic area, plus a play trail featuring a rope swing, stepping stones and balancing beams.

A view through the woods of a country house

Trail

Cliveden green walking trail

Explore the woodlands, discover a former owner of the estate and take in glorious views of the River Thames, the surrounding countryside and Cliveden House.

A view of Cliveden looking along the River Thames

Trail

Cliveden gold walking trail

Take in tranquil riverside scenery, shady woodland, dramatic views of the Berkshire countryside and places of historical interest on this circular trail.