Chiltern Hills facts for kids

The Chiltern Hills are a beautiful range of chalk hills in southern England. They stretch for about 70 miles (115 km) from the southwest to the northeast. These hills pass through parts of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire.

The Chilterns have a steep side, called an escarpment, facing northwest. On the other side, they gently slope down towards the River Thames in the southeast. Many areas of the Chilterns are protected by the National Trust. This makes them very popular places for visitors to explore.

The highest point in the Chilterns is Coombe Hill. It stands at 852 feet (260 meters) tall and is located near Wendover. The western parts of the hills are still covered in thick beechwoods. These forests were once very important for the traditional furniture industry in High Wycombe. Several roads and railways also cut through the Chiltern Hills, connecting them to London.

What are the Chiltern Hills?

The Chiltern Hills are a special type of landform known as a chalk escarpment. Imagine a long, gentle slope on one side and a steeper, cliff-like face on the other. That's what an escarpment looks like! The Chilterns are made mostly of chalk, which is a soft, white limestone. This chalk was formed from the tiny shells of sea creatures millions of years ago.

Where are the Chilterns Located?

These hills stretch across four different counties in England. They start in Oxfordshire and continue through Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Finally, they reach into Bedfordshire. This long stretch of hills creates a distinct natural boundary in the landscape.

Nature and History of the Chilterns

The Chiltern Hills are known for their stunning natural beauty. Large areas are looked after by the National Trust, an organization that protects important places. This means many parts of the Chilterns are open for everyone to enjoy. They are perfect for hiking, cycling, and exploring nature.

The dense beechwoods are a key feature of the Chilterns. These woods have been important for centuries. Long ago, the wood from these trees was used to build a thriving furniture industry in towns like High Wycombe. Even today, you can still see the influence of this history in the local area.

Getting Around the Chilterns

Despite being a range of hills, the Chilterns are well-connected. Many roads and railways have been built through the hills. These routes make it easy to travel to and from London and other nearby towns. This shows how important the Chilterns are, not just for nature, but also for transport.

Images for kids

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  Chalk visible in ploughed soil at the foot of the Chiltern Hill escarpment near Shirburn on the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire border

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  Viewed from The Ridgeway: eastern trailhead on Ivinghoe Beacon

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  Bottle kiln in Nettlebed, Oxfordshire (probably late 17th-century)

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  Watlington Town Hall

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  Vernacular architecture of the Chilterns is preserved at the Chiltern Open Air Museum

See also

In Spanish: Chiltern Hills para niños