Cicerone is well known to mountaineers for its guides to peaks and scrambles in places like the Lake District, Scotland and the Alps.

But it also caters for those who prefer more gentle walks, and Steve Davison has collected a good sample in Walking in The Chilterns (Cicerone, £12.95). He ventures as far north as Hitchin, but more than half his 35 walks are within easy distance of Oxford.

This weekend I would particularly recommend his eight-mile circular walk from Cowleaze Wood car park, above Watlington. Before enjoying views from Watlington Hill, above, you pass through Wormsley estate. On Saturday there is a rare chance to pause and visit the Walled Garden, designed in the 1700s for the former owners of Wormsley, the Fanes, by Richard Woods, a contemporary of Capability Brown. Neglected for many years, it was redesigned by Penelope Hobhouse a few years ago.

It is likely to be very popular, so the National Gardens Scheme has restricted entry to advanced booking only. For timed tickets call 01483 211535 or visit www.ngs.org.uk.

If you can’t get in, you may get a glimpse from the public right of way.