Exploring the Phoenix Trail

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

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.

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

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.

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

From track to old station platform edging, to the bridges that would have crossed the tracks in days gone by.

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

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.

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

From different artwork installations,

 

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

To markers along the trail depicting the solar cycle, with the sun moving at each point.

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

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.

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

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?

Exploring the Phoenix Trail

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?

Country Kids linky
PoCoLo

13 thoughts on “Exploring the Phoenix Trail

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. What an amazing space to explore. My son would love this. A great walk and place to learn about too. #pocolo

  5. 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

I'd love to hear from you and try to reply to all comments