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All the United Kingdom England Buckinghamshire Ivinghoe Beacon

Ivinghoe Beacon

Model aircraft soar over 360-degree views of the countryside at the start of England's oldest road.

Buckinghamshire, England

Added By
Fuch77
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Ivinghoe Beacon seen looking north from The Ridgeway.   Pointillist/cc by-sa 3.0
Ivinghoe Beacon seen looking north from The Ridgeway.   Pointillist/cc by-sa 3.0
Model aircraft enthusiasts at Ivinghoe Beacon in 1979.   Jeff Buck/cc by-sa 2.0
  Fuch77 / Atlas Obscura User
  Fuch77 / Atlas Obscura User
  Fuch77 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Ivinghoe Beacon is an imposing gateway to the hills of the Chilterns, a local landmark beloved by nature lovers and model aircraft enthusiasts thanks to its steep chalk hill walking trails and windswept panoramic views of the English countryside.

This iconic hill marks one end of the Ridgeway National Trail, considered to be the oldest road in Britain. The ancient trackway is now a hiking path that stretches 87 miles long. It heads southwest from Ivinghoe toward Avebury, passing many ancient and prehistoric sites along the way.

Adding to the intrigue of this unique place, the uphill wind of Ivinghoe Beacon also makes the slope a popular site for hobbyists flying radio-control model aircraft gliders, known as "slope soaring." It has been a destination for model aircraft enthusiasts for the past 40 years.

Although the Ivinghoe Beacon is actually fairly close to the nearby villages of Ivinghoe and Aldbury, it has an isolated, remote feel, and has been used as a filming location for such fantasy movies as Harry Potter and the new Star Wars.

Related Tags

Landscapes Hiking Trails Ancient Aircraft Film Locations

Know Before You Go

Parking is free, with fantastic views. The Beacon is part of the Ivinghoe Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its wildlife.

Community Contributors

Added By

Fuch77

Edited By

Meg

  • Meg

Published

October 17, 2018

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  • https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/news/business/chewbacca-finn-and-poe-spotted-not-far-far-away-from-leighton-buzzard-for-star-wars-episode-ix-filming-1-8613948
Ivinghoe Beacon
B489
Buckinghamshire, England
United Kingdom
51.841976, -0.610132
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Nearby Places

The Pitstone Windmill

Ivinghoe, England

miles away

Dockey Wood Bluebells

Buckinghamshire, England

miles away

Bridgewater Monument

Aldbury, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire

England

Places 5

Nearby Places

The Pitstone Windmill

Ivinghoe, England

miles away

Dockey Wood Bluebells

Buckinghamshire, England

miles away

Bridgewater Monument

Aldbury, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire

England

Places 5

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