Much of the route on this easy stroll is on quiet lanes through Burnham Beeches. While not completely level, there are no steep climbs and there are some attractive views on the return leg. Though he knew many of the world's most notable forests, E. H. Wilson, director of Arnold Arboretum in Harvard, USA, cherished his visit to Burnham Beeches as one of the highlights of his life. Burnham Beeches is closed during the present emergency but the beauty of the trees as they return to leaf after the winter can still be enjoyed from the lane and on the day I enjoyed this walk, the birds seemed to be singing louder than ever.

Fact file

Distance: Four miles

Map: OS Landranger 175 Reading and Windsor.

Start: St Anne's church, Dropmore. Grid reference 934 864.

How to get there:

From the A4094, Loudwater to Bourne End road, take the B4440 to Beaconsfield at Wooburn Green. Take the first lane on the right, Windsor Lane. Turn right at the top of the hill then first left, following the signs for Wooburn Common. At a T-junction turn left along Dropmore Road. Take the second of two lanes together on the right, Boveney Wood Lane, to immediately reach St. Anne's church. There are several informal pull-offs just beyond the church.

Refreshments: There are no refreshments immediately on the route but the Jolly Woodman, (01753) 644350, is only a couple of hundred yards beyond the junction and is an excellent choice for a pub lunch before or after your walk. The extensive menu has both full meals and baguettes with chips and salad at lunchtime. If you choose from the Stockpot Menu', the pub will make a donation to the farmer's fund. They also offer a tempting range of traditional puddings such as spotted dick or caramel brown betty served with custard, cream or ice cream.

The walk

1. Continue along the lane, passing Common Lane on the right and Abbey Park Lane on the left. Follow the lane round a sharp right hand bend as it becomes Park Lane.

In 1879 Burnham Beeches came on the market, advertised as land suitable for building 'superior residences'. A prominent naturalist, Francis George Heath, tried to enlist support for saving the area with its magnificent trees and persuaded the Corporation of the City of London to act. A new law, the Open Spaces Act of 1878, allowed the Corporation to buy unenclosed and common land on the edge of London. However, there was a complication: there were two enclosed areas in the middle of the common land. This was solved by the local MP, Sir Henry Peek, who bought the entire lot and then sold the unenclosed parts on to the Corporation. One condition Sir Henry did insist upon as part of the agreement was that the Corporation pay for roads to be built to allow him access to the land he retained and these roads are named after people involved with the Corporation at that time. They are closed during the foot and mouth crisis. Since then, the enclosed areas have been either given to or bought by the Corporation so it now owns the whole of Burnham Beeches.

The wood to the right of the lane is Dorney Wood. In the time of Henry VIII it was a notorious haunt of thieves and vagabonds who preyed on travellers from Burnham to Beaconsfield.

2. At a crossroads, go ahead along Green Lane.

3.Take the first right, Longmead Lane.

4. Turn right at a T-junction. Continue along the lane, passing Curriers Lane on the right then Horseshoe Hill on the left and Common Lane on the right. At the next-junction turn right back to the start.

The large house on the right is Dorney Wood. The house was given to the National Trust as a residence for a minister and it is used as the Chancellor of the Exchequer's country retreat. The gardens are opened to the public a couple of weekends a year to those who make a written application.

At the time of going to press, Burnham Beeches had opened certain areas to the public.