Burnham Beeches Access Walk

All paths are over 1.2m in width and are paved with crushed granite laid over compacted granite gravel. Most are very smooth to travel over, but in some places the crushed granite has worn thin. The Bonham Beeches management do a rolling programme of maintenance on the paths so the best approach is to visit knowing that some areas might be more difficult than others, but you could also be pleasantly surprised.

Details of route

Starting point
Duration
Distance
OS Ref

The steps you need to take

Section 1

S1 – The first part of the walk is even, with good paving and a clear path, wide enough for two wheelchairs. It then changes to an incline of 1in14 but as you travel with the incline this is easy to manage.

Section 2

S2 – The second section of the walk starts at a crossroad of paths, with one going off towards the lake, one back to Lord Mayors Road and another going forward. The path to the lake is steep at 1in7, but there is another path to the lake further on the path. The path ahead continues at an incline of 1in19.

Section 3

S3 – The third section of the walk has another crossroads, with another path leading to the lake and a bridge to view the stunning scenery. The path to the lake is 1in10. The path ahead is the only area of the walk with inclines going against the direction of travel. It has a turn which has an incline of 1in17 but very quickly returns to a more manageable 1in14. At the end you return onto Lord Mayors Road, which at the point has an incline of 1in12, but is surfaced with tarmac. At this point you could travel up Lord Mayors Road back to the gates which is an easy journey or continue over to the next section of the access walk.

Section 4/5

S4 – Section four has a slight incline up to a bench with a seat height of 50cm. From here on the path has no incline and the path surface is newly applied. There are more benches along section four and five, all at a seat height of 38 cm. Section five is equally easy to travel through. Sections four and five would be perfect for people recovering from illness or surgery, with an easy walk and plenty of places to rest.