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It was a brilliantly organised trip at a perfect time of year. I cannot see how it could be improved upon.
RC, Surrey, May 19
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Orchids and other Wildlife of the Chilterns
Tour Code: GBR38A 3-day tour to discover the orchids, birds and other wildlife of the chalk downs and a nearby wetland reserve.
3 days
from
£695
£695
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Declared an Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) in 1965 and covering 324 square miles, the Chilterns are rated alongside some of our best known national parks. Rare chalk streams meander through the Chilterns towards the River Thames, providing ideal habitat for a diverse flora including several species of orchid. Red Kites were first reintroduced into the Chilterns in England in 1989, and we’ll be hoping to get good views of this charismatic bird.
- Look for orchids such as Military, Bee, Fly, Monkey & Lady
- Water Violet & Green-winged Orchid in wet meadows
- Water Rail, Reed Bunting, Hobby & Marsh Harrier possible in reedbeds
- Visit a Red Kite release centre
- Lapwing, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Curlew & Redshank among birds
- Led by expert naturalist guide
Declared an ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’ (AONB) 40 years ago and covering 324 square miles, the Chilterns are rated alongside some of our best known national parks including the Lake District and New Forest. The centre of the AONB is situated just 35 miles from Trafalgar Square, making it one of the easiest to access from the capital and a top tourist attraction. Although it has an abundance of tranquil villages and imposing buildings to visit, we will be concentrating on the natural wonders of the area, 20% of which is covered by woods and forests that once provided timber to a thriving furniture industry. The AONB stretches from the Thames at Goring, on its southern boundary, to Hitchin in Hertfordshire in the north. Rare chalk streams meander here towards the mighty Thames, and orchids such as Military, Bee, Fly, Monkey and Lady will be sought, together with Clustered Bellflower and many other plants. It was in the Chilterns in 1989 that Red Kites were first reintroduced into England, with resounding success! We will be visiting the release area and will take an in-depth look at this charismatic bird.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive; excursion Bedfordshire Chilterns
Day 2
Southern Chilterns
Day 3
Final exploration; departure
What's Included?
- Accommodation:
- Food:
Reviews
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I particularly enjoyed the leader's vast knowledge and enthusiasm for all aspects of the wild world!
EH, Surrey, May 19 -
The friendly and knowledgeable tour guide led our small group into the sunny and dreamy Chilterns where we found man, monkey, military, fly and green-winged orchids. Would I have noticed the wild service tree and the spindle tree without our guide? I certainly would have missed the adder's tongue ferns and the hare which joined us for a time. A delightful holiday.
R.C.H. West Midlands, May 19
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 6th May – Thu 8th May
SPACES
£695
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£120
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Bruce Middleton
Tour Leader: Bruce Middleton
Bruce Middleton lives in Hampshire and is a botanist, ecologist, wildlife artist, wildlife photographer and a honey bee keeper. He has worked for a range of voluntary organisations such as: British Trust for Volunteers and the British Trust for Ornithology. Bruce has had over 25 years in landscape and species conservation management working for West Sussex County Council, Sussex Downs Conservation Board, South Downs Joint Committee and the South Downs National Park Authority. He is currently a freelance wildlife Consultant and surveyor. He has an all-round interest in natural history who loves botanising all over the British Isles and Europe.
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 5th May – Thu 7th May
SPACES
£695
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£120
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
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