It’s no secret that we love our railways here and my son has become quite a fan of Rob Bell and his railway walks. I’d bought a book about disused railway walks ages ago and recently my son picked it up to see if there were any close to us. We were both surprised to find that there is, so last month we spent some time exploring the Phoenix Trail which runs from Thame to Princes Risborough.
We joined the Phoenix Trail on the outskirts of Thame, having found free on-street parking close by. The trail is ideal for families to enjoy as the route is totally flat and can be enjoyed by cyclists too. It’s worth noting that there are no amenities on this trail, but there are benches or some sort of seating spaced at 500-metre intervals along the route.
Exploring the Phoenix Trail we could spot evidence of its previous existence as a railway line almost as soon as we joined the track.
From track to old station platform edging, to the bridges that would have crossed the tracks in days gone by.
Whilst I have a son who is fascinated by anything train related who loves exploring old railway lines, there are plenty of points of interest along the trail to keep children engaged.
From different artwork installations,
To markers along the trail depicting the solar cycle, with the sun moving at each point.
It will come as no surprise that my son’s favourite art installations were the signal seats. The signals actually move as you sit down on the seat. A big hit here.
We found exploring the Phoenix Trail the perfect way to spend a few hours, looking out across the countryside, listening to the birds. We felt as if we were in a different world and actually we were surprised by how quiet it was on the trail on the day we visited.
There’s a rather wonderful bench to sit and take a break along the walk, I quite fancy a smaller version for my garden, what do you think?
We didn’t walk all the way to Princes Risborough on this visit to the Phoenix Trail but we’re aiming to start the trail at that end next time when hopefully the Chinnor and Princes Risborough steam railway will be back in operation.
Have you walked any disused railway trails you could recommend we investigate?
We have several walking/cycling trails here that used to be train routes. One runs just behind the houses across the street from S&A’s house! A few years back I overnighted in Vancouver with someone whose mother in law lived in Thame. Following a visit to see her husband’s Mum she bought me a flat rock from a walk they did on a trail which had a fork off to Bicester. I still have the rock on our bookshelf.
I wonder if that’s the same walk Helen, it could well be!
What a lovely place for a walk. I love the look of the various art installations, particularly the solar cycle one and that signal seat looks like a lot of fun. Thank you for sharing with #CountryKids
We really enjoyed the different elements of it
That looks a brilliant trail! I have pinned it for future ref. We have a disused railway line near us called the Downs Link. It goes from Guildford to Shoreham. It’s very popular with walkers and cyclists. #PoCoLo
I’ll have to look into that one
I don’t think I’ve ever walked a disused railway trail, but this looks like a great one, nice to have the artworks as well as nature to explore along the way x #CountryKids
We are on the lookout for more
What an amazing space to explore. My son would love this. A great walk and place to learn about too. #pocolo
It’s been a lovely discovery for us
Bob and I walked part of the old railway in the Forest of Dean yesterday, lovely and flat and a great cycle route. Thanks for linking with #pocolo and hope to see you again here soon
Looks like that’s one for a future get together then