We set off from St Botolph’s church http://www.st-botolphs-swyncombe.info/about-st-botolph/
a charming Saxon Church in the grounds of Swyncombe House. The start of the walk takes you up the Ridgeway which is steep climb – a bit of a challenge in hot weather but well worth it for the views on reaching the top.
You can see across the Oxfordshire plain one way and miles in the other direction from the top of the down.
The whole area is managed for wildlife and diversity and wild flower meadows – some included in amenity access areas cover the hillsides. The area open to the public was quite heavily grazed and worn from human traffic whereas the inaccessible areas are better protected – a visual reminder of the effect of humans positive and negative – and how ground becomes eroded.
There are earthworks up the ridge and ancient trees http://www.chilternsaonb.org/ccbmaps/584/137/swyncombe-down.html so plenty of research to be done to find out more about the area.
part of the path follows the Swan Way and also the Icknield Way – ancient routes used by our forefathers.