Turn right out of the High Street car park to visit the tourist office, housed in the distinctive Clock Tower, which was built as a small market hall in 1842. Pick up a town trail map here. Cross (with care) the Aylesbury Road diagonally to walk up Back Street, parallel to the High Street. Once part of the ancient Icknield Way, Back Street is still lined with old traders' cottages dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. At Dobbins Lane turn left, then right back onto the High Street, and pass the railway station. Cross the road, and once you are over the bridge, look for a waymarked footpath left.

Go over two stiles, towards pylons. Head diagonally right across the field to go over another stile. Turn right uphill along the lane. After about 90yds (82m) turn left, following the bridleway beside a modern house, and go along the track as it swings round to the right, passing a stile (marked private). Go to the end of the field and turn right through a metal gate.

Follow the path between wire fences as it first dips then sweeps uphill, for around 0.75 miles (1.2km). As the track flattens out, turn right onto a bridleway. After about 160yds (146m) cross a private drive. The path ahead splits – take the right-hand footpath with the fence to your right. After around 200yds (183m) turn sharp left at a waymarker post along a muddy footpath, following the yellow arrows painted on the trees through the wood. In late spring there is a spectacular carpet of bluebells here.

Follow this path until the next waymarker at a T-junction. Turn right and continue ahead for around 275yds (251m), then turn left at the next waymarker and follow the path through a short, dark, wooded area to Coombe Hill and a National Trust car park. Go through the gate, pass a picnic area (right), and take the footpath which veers to the left and goes across the plateau to reach the monument.

After enjoying the spectacular views across the Vale of Aylesbury, continue right, following the black Ridgeway waymarker post (just below you). The route now descends slowly via a series of gates and, close to the road, a flight of steps, all the way back down to the road. At the road, turn right and continue past the railway station to the High Street. Note the lovely old Tudor houses on the right, once the old post office, now housing antiques dealers, and further along, on the left, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, set in an old bank. Return to the car park.