Discover the quieter side of the Chilterns—perfect for guests seeking serenity, scenery, and storybook charm
From sweeping chalk hills to secret valleys and centuries-old pubs, the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is packed with locations that feel untouched by time. But beyond the well-trodden trails of Henley and High Wycombe, you’ll find hidden villages, forgotten footpaths, and peaceful picnic spots known mainly to locals.
Whether you're a property owner thinking about hosting or a traveller looking for an off-the-radar escape, here are 12 of the Chilterns’ most enchanting hidden gems—each offering the kind of quiet beauty guests are actively searching for on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
🌿 1. Turville & Cobstone Windmill
- Where: Near Henley-on-Thames
- Why it's special: This unspoiled village starred in The Vicar of Dibley and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Its flint cottages, 16th-century pub (The Bull & Butcher), and hilltop windmill create a postcard-perfect setting.
- Top tip: The walk up to Cobstone Windmill offers sweeping valley views. Ideal for romantic getaways.
🏰 2. Chenies Village & Manor House
- Where: Between Amersham and Rickmansworth
- Why it's special: A tranquil village with a spectacular Tudor manor still privately owned. The gardens are a highlight, and you can book a peaceful tour of the interiors.
- Guest appeal: Proximity to London, yet feels like a different world. It’s also a popular spot for period film shoots.
🌳 3. The Tree Cathedral, Whipsnade
- Where: Just outside Dunstable
- Why it's special: A cathedral made of trees, designed in the 1930s as a place of peace and reflection. It’s a serene, symbolic location that’s especially beautiful in late spring and autumn.
- Perfect for: Nature lovers, photographers, and guests looking for spiritual or meditative retreats.
🚶♀️ 4. Ashridge Estate & Ivinghoe Beacon
- Where: Near Berkhamsted
- Why it's special: A National Trust treasure with ancient woodlands, wild deer, and panoramic views. Ivinghoe Beacon marks the start of the Ridgeway, one of Britain's oldest roads.
- Don’t miss: Bluebell season in Dockey Wood and the autumn leaf colours in Ashridge Forest.
🏞️ 5. Ewelme Watercress Beds and Village
- Where: South Oxfordshire, near Wallingford
- Why it's special: Ewelme is a chocolate-box village with a medieval church, a historic school, and a restored watercress bed and nature reserve.
- Hidden highlight: The gentle stream walk and the local spring-fed pools where watercress was once grown commercially.
🧱 6. Bradenham Village and Estate
- Where: Near High Wycombe
- Why it's special: A National Trust-protected village with red-brick cottages, a quiet cricket pitch, and tranquil walks through beechwoods.
- Local tip: The Bradenham to West Wycombe trail is ideal for guests who enjoy gentle circular walks.
🛶 7. Goring & Streatley on the Thames
- Where: Between Reading and Wallingford
- Why it's special: Two picturesque villages separated by a bridge over one of the prettiest stretches of the River Thames. Riverside pubs, boutique shops, and walking trails like the Ridgeway make it a hidden favourite.
- Guest bonus: Ideal for paddleboarding, rowing, or wild swimming.
🌅 8. Cholesbury and Hawridge Commons
- Where: Near Chesham
- Why it's special: These two neighbouring hamlets sit on open common land with views across the Chiltern escarpment. Their quiet lanes, ancient fort, and relaxed pace of life are a world away from busy commuter towns nearby.
- Why it works for short-lets: Large properties with views here are in demand for weekend rentals.
🚂 9. The Grand Union Canal at Marsworth
- Where: Between Tring and Aylesbury
- Why it's special: A peaceful stretch of canal surrounded by wildlife reserves and historic locks. A perfect cycling or walking route between Tring Reservoirs and Wendover.
- Underrated gem: The Anglers Retreat pub and the Marsworth Church ruin.
🕍 10. Hambleden Village
- Where: Between Henley and Marlow
- Why it's special: This quintessential English village has starred in everything from Sleepy Hollow to Poirot. Think red-brick cottages, a village square, a Norman church, and tree-lined hills.
- Best explored: On a circular walk from the Thames at Mill End. Great pub lunches at The Stag & Huntsman.
🎨 11. Chinnor and the Ridgeway Trail
- Where: South Oxfordshire
- Why it's special: Chinnor may seem like an ordinary village—but it sits at the base of the Ridgeway National Trail, with quiet routes up to Wain Hill and Bledlow.
- Guest favourites: The Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway (steam train rides!) and birdwatching at Chinnor Chalk Pit.
🦢 12. College Lake Nature Reserve
- Where: Near Tring
- Why it's special: A stunning wildlife reserve created from a former chalk quarry. It’s now home to swans, lapwings, and rare butterflies.
- Family-friendly: There’s a visitor centre, nature trails, and viewing hides. A great nature-based attraction that’s rarely busy.
🗝️ Turn Hidden Gems into Hosting Gold with Pass the Keys Chilterns
Guests are increasingly choosing unique and tranquil stays—and homes near hidden gems like these often earn:- Higher nightly rates
- Better reviews
- Longer bookings
