May is National Walking Month, a campaign by UK charity Living Streets which hopes to promote walking as a free and easy form of exercise for people with all levels of fitness.

The NHS says walking is one of the easiest wants to get active, lose weight and become healthier, and recommends walking 10,000 steps a day to stay fit. It is also a great way to meet new people especially if you join a walking group or club.

What better area to get those 10,000 steps in than south Bucks? The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has some of the most beautiful spots in the county to get walking.

Bucks County Council runs volunteer led walking groups with over 500 walkers joining every week on more than 60 walks across the county. From Downley to Holmer Green and Wendover to Fairford Leys, walks take place across Bucks and there is no need to book.

For those wanting to explore the south Bucks countryside on their own, there is the West Wycombe and Bradenham route which takes walkers through the countryside estates of West Wycombe, Bradenham and Hughenden.

The route boasts “fantastic views, “magnificent” beech woods and “carpets of bluebells and wild flowers”.

For longer treks, walkers can enjoy wooded and open commons, as well as local villages and the market town of Marlow, on the Marlow to West Wycombe route. The 18-mile circular walk stars in the centre of Marlow and passes through the countryside to Moorend and Ditchfield Commons ending at the viewpoint on West Wycombe Hill.

It then heads back south through Booker Common and Marlow Bottom and finishes in Marlow.

There are accessible routes for those in a wheelchair or parents with pushchairs. Try the Red Kite walk which passes through the beautiful Chiltern valleys where walkers can enjoy panoramic views, ancient beech woods and rolling farmland.

The distinctive red kite birds can also be seen on this walk, especially between October and April.

For more information, go to www.chilternsaonb.org/explore-enjoy/walks-rides.html and www.buckscc.gov.uk/environment/rights-of-way/exploring-the-countryside/simply-walk.