Walks in 2014
15th Walk - Knebworth (4 January)
This was a circular walk taking in the countryside around Old Knebworth, including the paths through the park of the famous Knebworth House We saw the herd of Red and Sika deer that have grazed here for centuries, and got up close to the centrepiece of the park - its imposing Tudor Gothic mansion which has been used numerous times as a film set.
16th Walk - Lilley (12 January)
This was another circular walk from the pretty village of Lilley, with its gothic revival church of St Peters, and houses decorated with the rampant lion crest of the Docwra family who lived in the nearby park of Putteridge Bury generations ago.We walked along the John Bunyan Way, through a nature reserve, and on to the Icknield Way, before returning to Lilley.
17th Walk - Hertford (18 January)
The walk was in the rural are to the west of the county town of Hertford.The route went along a former railway line (now called the Letty Green Way) to Letty Green, through the village, then back through an orchard, a quarry, open countryside and woodlands to Hertingfordbury and back to the start.
18th Walk - Redbourn (25 January)
This gently undulating walk started at the Common in Redbourn, where cricket was first recorded in 1666, the earliest report of the game being played in the country though obviously none was being played at this time of year! The route took us to Harpenden and back. We were walking across some open agricultural land, and luckily got back just before the heavens opened.
19th Walk - Kings Langley (1 February)
This was a leisurely walk from Kings Langley, crossing the canal and railway before heading across open countryside to Pimlico and then heading south to Bedmond. Here we picked up the Hertfordshire Way for our return journey via the canal. One unusual sight was the unexpected dinosaur adjacent to the the canal - we've no idea what it's doing there!
20th Walk - Bayford (8 February)
This was a walk in beautiful and surprisingly remote countryside to the west of the village of Bayford. The route went via Bayford Wood, Little Berkhamsted and back to Bayford. Some of the group enjoyed a drink and a bite to eat at a local hostelry afterwards.
21st Walk - Pegsdon (15 February)
Most of the area of Pegsdon Hills is managed as a nature reserve, part of which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as an example of chalk downland. The hills were the inspiration for John Bunyan's 'Delectable Mountains' in The Pilgrim's Progress. We will twice cross the Icknield Way, generally said to be one of the oldest roads in the country having existed long before the Roman occupation. During the route we will pass the Hitchin Yeshiva, a rabbinical school for Torah study, and Telegraph Hill where a semaphore mast was once sited by the Admiralty, one of a chain that passed signals between London and far-away Great Yarmouth during the Napoleonic wars. We also cross Lilley Hoo, an 18th century racecourse.
22nd Walk - St Albans ( 23 February)
From the Cathedral we cross Verulamium Park and then head out in to the open countryside We turn north and enter the Gorhambury Estate. Here we follow the permissive path around the estate passing the remains of the original Gorhambury House and then on to the New Gorhambury House which was built between 1777-1784 and is the family home of the current Earl of Verulam. The walk ends by passing the remains of the Roman theatre and from here we cross into the park and back up to the Cathedral.
23rd Walk Gustard Wood ( 1 March)
Leaving from outside The Cross Keys, this is a pleasant seven miles walk taking us from Gustard Wood to Kimpton Bottom and then on to the village of Kimpton. This is very attractive Hertfordshire countryside, fairly flat terrain
24th Walk Wendover ( 15 March)
A pleasant walk over the Hertfordshire border in the Chilterns, taking in Dunsmore, Little Hampden and tiny bits of the Icknield Way and Ridgeway, returning via Coombe Hill. Varied scenery and terrain: in or after rain, be prepared for mud and slippery chalk.
25th Walk Chipperfield ( 29 March)
This varied walk starts at Chipperfield, which has managed to retain its character as a typical English village. We start from the Two Brewers inn, where men used to fight bare fisted in a gym at the back, before heading across to the valley of the River Gade at Kings Langley. This village was once the location of a palace of the Plantagenet kings, and might now be called Queens Langley had royal patronage not been withdrawn in 1935! We follow the Grand Union Canal, constructed in 1793, underneath the vast Gade Viaduct to take us back to Chipperfield Common via former royal hunting grounds. Near the end we see the Apostles' Pond, reputedly fished by the monks from a long-gone friary..
26th Walk Woburn ( 6 April)
Leaving Woburn we head through the sandy woodland of Aspley Heath towards Woburn Sands and Aspley Guise up to the boundary of Woburn Safari Park offering glimpses of its residents. The piece de resistance is "the elephant path", a public footpath which passes between two enclosures holding elephants and rhinos and if we are lucky we should get some good views, which we can see without having to pay to go into the park. Our route then takes us through Woburn Park itself where Woburn Abbey the home of the Duke of Bedford is situated surrounded by many acres of grasslands with many large ponds (Woburns Lake District) and herds of freely roaming deer
27th Walk Ashridge,Studham & Ivinghoe Beacon ( 12 April)
This was a fast-paced and hilly walk from Ashridge visitor centre along the Chiltern Way to the village of Studham where we stop on the green for our packed lunch. We then walked up to Gallows Hill and Beacon Hill to Ivinghoe Beacon and surveyed the expanse of Aylesbury Vale and spotted the white lion of Whipsnade Zoo as well as Pitstone windmill. Along the way, we crossed two golf courses and saw what the Dunstable Bogtrotters have contributed to the countryside
28th Walk St Ippolyts ( 12 April)
This was out first walk leader training session during which we run through the process of deciding where to walk, planning and recceing the route, and submitting a walk to our calendar. No specialist skills were required, although the ability to read maps was preferable. The afternoon involve shadowing an experienced walk leader as they devise a new walk route from scratch.
29th Walk Hertford ( 18 April)
An afternoon walk through the rolling local countryside and villages possibly taking in a local hostelry en route. The bluebells will be out and the route goes past three sites. Once back in Hertford we will be going for an early supper
30th Walk Letchmore Heath ( 19 April)
A circular walk from the pretty village of Letchmore Heath which has been used as a rural setting in many films and TV programmes due to its close proximity to Elstree Studios. This is a surprisingly rural part of South Hertfordshire and we will be almost entirely on Green Belt land taking in Round Bush, Battlers Green and the outskirts of Elstree. Towards the end of the walk we will cross over Elstree Aerodrome's runway when the pace will increase from moderate to brisk!
31st Walk Three Bottoms Challenge ( 3 May)
The Hertfordshire 'Bottoms' are the valleys of clear, slow-flowing freshwater streams and their hinterlands. There are 40 significant 'Bottoms' in Hertfordshire.
The River Mimram rises at Whitwell from a spring which feeds watercress beds that have existed since Roman times. The valley extends northwards where it becomes known as Lilley Bottom, and other sections of the valley are known as Kimpton Bottom and Codicote Bottom. These 'Three Bottoms' are many miles apart and are accessible via many steep ascents and descents.
This challenging full day circular walk, with a pub stop half way through, will allow us to visit all three of them. A couple of extra 'bottoms' will be thrown in as a bonus!
The walk will start from the platform at Wheathampstead Station, where George Bernard Shaw used to alight the train from London. Wheathampstead station was on the Great Northern Railway branch line to Dunstable. The station opened in 1860 and closed to passengers in 1965 with the track lifted a short time afterwards. To celebrate what would have been its 150th anniversary, local volunteers reopened the original platform in 2010.
32nd Walk Heartswood Forest ( 5 May)
At Heartwood Forest, Sandridge, near St Albans, the creation of England's largest new native forest is well underway. This is a relatively flat walk at a brisk pace exploring the countryside and woods in the delightful Sandridge and St Albans area.
33rd Walk Flamstead ( 11 May)
From Flamstead we head down to Trowley Bottom and then up to Gaddesden Row. From here we head to Briden Camp were we enter the Gaddesden Estate which has been in ownership of the Halsey family since the 16th Century. When we reach Gaddesden Place which was used in the Jeeves and Wooster TV series, we will pickup the Chiltern Way which should take us back to Flamstead via several small woods were we will hopeful see the last of the bluebells.
34th Walk Buntingford ( 17 May)
This circular walk starts from the centre of historic Buntingford, which has been a market town since 1360. The place grew up where the Roman Ermine Street crosses the River Rib. The character of Buntingford is very much that of a prosperous, mainly Georgian, town with some fine brick fronts disguising many much older buildings.
Taking in some of the local rolling arable countryside, the route passes through the deserted medieval villages of Layston and Beauchamps. Additionally we enter the village of Wyddial, which has an unusual church, and later the Domesday settlement of Alswick. At the end of the walk there is an opportunity for a drink nearby at the Fox & Duck
35th Walk Dunstable Downs ( 18 May)
This will be a fast-paced and undulating walk from Dunstable Downs Chilterns Gateway Visitor Centre to the village of Studham where we will stop on the green for our packed lunch. There is the occasional steep incline.
Along the way, we'll see the macabre Five Knolls burial mounds, London Gliding Club, the Tree Cathedral, and walk past Whipsnade Zoo. We'll be walking on a couple of long distance routes: the Chiltern Way and Icknield Way. For further proof that we are walking in the Chilterns, we'll walk past a chalk quarry. There are extensive views of the Vale of Aylesbury on a clear day, as well as the bright lights of Luton and Dunstable.
36th Walk Hertford ( 24 May)
This is a leisurely walk from Hertford to Ware and back, stopping to look at Hertford Castle, St Leonard's Church and Scott's Grotto.
The grotto is a series of interconnected chambers, extending some 67ft into the chalk hillside, built by the 18th Century poet John Scott. Admission is free, but a small optional donation of £1 is acceptable.
The walk will finish at the Black Horse, where food will be available. Scott's Grotto is dark, so please bring a torch!
37th Walk Woolmer Green ( 7 June)
We will be organising a free walk leader training session during which we will run through the process of deciding where to walk, planning and recceing the route, and submitting a walk to the calendar. No specialist skills are required, although the ability to read maps is preferable.The afternoon will involve shadowing an experienced walk leader as they devise a new walk route from scratch. There will be no obligation for you to lead a walk after the session if you later feel it is not for you
38th Walk Sandridge (10 June)
An evening walk around the Heartwood Forest and Nomansland Common. We should be able to see how the tree planting over the last five years has transformed the fields. We should also enjoy the evening bird songs and see how the start of the wild flower meadows. We aim to finish off the evening in a local hostelry
39th Walk Pirton (14 June)
A very attractive 8 mile circular walk starting from the village of Pirton in Hertfordshire. After meeting at the Motte & Bailey pub, we shall pay a visit to the 12th century motte and bailey castle in the village before heading south west out of Pirton where we pass High Down House and head out towards Little Offley and Telegraph Hill. We head along the Icknield Way, coming down Pegsdon Hill Nature Reserve taking in the panoramic views across the often-overlooked rolling hills that stretch across the Bedfordshire-Hertfordshire border - believed to be the "Delectable Mountains" in The Pilgrim's Progress. We shall call in at The Live and Live pub and partake in a beverage before picking up the Chiltern Way and heading back to our start point and the prospect of a well deserved post-walk drink at The Motte & Bailey pub.
40th Walk Panshanger (22 June)
A circular walk starting from Panshanger Golf Course, heading towards Tewin, passing by Herts and Middlesex Nature Reserve, through the grounds of Tewin Bury Farm Hotel and up to St Peter's Church. The church dates from 1086 and the graves of the De Havilland family can be seen in the churchyard. We will then progress through Tewin Wood to Burnham Green, said to be haunted by headless horses, and make our way through the beautiful countryside in the vicinity of Cooks Wood, Dawley Wood and Westley Wood back to Black Fan Lagoon and the Fairway Tavern, where we will finish with a drink.
41st Walk Potten End (29 June)
This circular walk starts in a village that derives its name from the word 'pottern' which refers to a place where pots were made. We pass the Norman motte-and-bailey Berkhamsted Castle which was built to control a key route between London and the Midlands. After a stretch along the Grand Union Canal we touch the southern part of the Ashridge Estate, taking in Northchurch Common and Berkhamsted Common. With a combined area of some 1,055 acres, these commons are the largest in the Chilterns. The huge pollarded trees which we see in Frithsden Beeches at the east end of the commons are remnants of the medieval Chilterns landscape. There are many old pits, banks and other earthworks including First World War troop training trenches. At the end of the walk is an opportunity for a drink at Martin's Pond.
42nd Walk Barkway (5 July)
This varied circular walk first takes us through Newsells Park which is at the heart of an extensive area concerned with the breeding of pedigree racehorses. Later we pass through the eastern reaches of the vast Cokenach estate as we head towards the village of Nuthampstead. It was here that the US Air Force had a base during the Second World War and took off for bombing raids along the Rhine. Much wartime memorabilia is on display at a local hostelry, The Woodman, where we will stop for a drink during the walk. Nuthampstead was also once nominated as the site for a future London Airport. The route continues through the southern flanks of the mainly agricultural Cokenach estate, which has recently diversified into arable cropping, forestry, grazing, business conferencing and sporting activities.
43rd Walk South Mimms (19 July)
A figure-of-eight walk in South Herts starting both for the morning and afternoon legs from in front of the White Hart pub in South Mimms on the corner of Blanche Lane and St Albans Road.At 10am (7 miles) we will head north and take in the dense woodlands of the North Mymms ridge, the edge of the Royal Veterinary College, Brookmans Park and Waters End. For lunch please bring a sandwich or get something quick in the pub. At 1.30pm (8 miles) we will head south west towards Ridge and Shenley. There will be a nearly midway brief (15 minutes) comfort stop and ice creams/ cold drinks are available.Earplugs will only be required briefly when we go over the A1 twice in different places in the morning, as well as over and under the M25 in the afternoon. We soon reach peaceful rural scenery. Shorts not recommended. Sorry dogs not allowed due to the close proximity to livestock. Come for the just the morning, afternoon or the full 15 miles. Drinks available afterwards in the White Hart.
44th Walk Harpenden (24 July)
An evening walk through pleasant Hertfordshire countryside. Starting outside The Silver Cup, 5 St Albans Road, Harpenden AL5 2JF, heading out to Rothamsted Park, walking along the now disused Nicky Line and returning to our start point. Rothamsted Park is part of the renowned Institute of Arable Crop Research, the longest running agricultural institution in the world founded by Sir John Bennet Lawes who inherited the Rothamsted estate in 1834. We will pass the Park Grass experiment which is the oldest experiment on permanent grassland in the world.
45th Walk Forty Hall ( 26 July )
This walk starts at Forty Hall a 17th century Grade I listed building. From the Hall we will follow the New River (Old Course) to Clay Hill and then on to Whitewebbs Wood with its links to the Gunpowder Plot. We then head north to cross the M25 and enter Hertfordshire and pass Theobalds Manor. On reaching the outskirts of Cheshunt we head east and pickup the New River again which we follow using the permissive path until we arrive back at Forty Hall
46th Walk Mardock and The Bunt ( 2 August )
This walk explores the southern end of The Bunt and its hinterland. 'The Bunt' was the affectionate name used by railway workers for the Buntingford Branch Line, which closed exactly 50 years ago after serving the rural communities of East Hertfordshire for 101 years. The first station up the line was at Mardock in the pretty valley of the River Ash. During the walk we climb past the Danish fort where Alfred King of Wessex defeated the Danes at the Battle of Widbury Hill in 895AD. Later on we follow as closely as possible the original track bed of The Bunt as it passes through the country estate at Easneye, which was established by the philanthropic Buxton family in the Victorian era. At the end of the walk is an opportunity for a drink nearby at a local hostelry.
47th Walk Sarratt ( 9 August )
This walk explores the hidden treasures of the Chess valley. We will descend from Sarratt to cross the river by a series of footbridges, then up to proceed along the ridge with lovely views, past the gateway to 15th century Chenies Manor. We reach the river again for a dramatic view of Latimer House where Charles the First was held briefly during his captivity. We will then pass the ruins of Flaunden old church, rebuilt much further up the hill in the 1830s to escape frequent flooding, and also the grave of William Liberty who asked to be buried outside the churchyard in 1777. Once back in Sarratt there is an opportunity for a drink at The Cricketers pub.
48th Walk Hertford and Little Berkhamsted ( 16 August )
This walk goes along the Cole Green Way (disused railway) west to Letty Green, south and uphill to Little Berkhamsted and Epping Green, then north to Bayford for a pub stop at the Baker Arms and back to Hertford. The walk should finish between 6:30pm and 7:00pm at Dils (Indian Restaurant) in Hertford for a drink and/or a meal.Starting point of walk: Hertford Town Football Club. Long trousers are recommended
49th Walk Westmill ( 19 August )
Westmill is said to be the prettiest village in Hertfordshire. Steeped in history, it has a fascinating variety of old houses and cottages and a picturesque green. The church dates back to Saxon times and contains some Roman bricks. The last highwayman known in the county is buried here. One of the aims of this walk, as it meanders gently uphill through lanes and field paths flanked by trees, is to reach Cherry Green to find Button Snap, an idyllic cottage owned by the poet and essayist Charles Lamb in the early 1800s. It stands on a lane leading to the deserted medieval village of Wakeley.
50th Walk Old Welwyn ( 23 August )
The name of Welwyn is derived from Old English word welig meaning 'willow', referring to the trees that nestle on the banks of the River Mimram that flows through the village.This is a circular walk across the rolling farmland of Hertfordshire. We head towards Ayot St Lawrence were George Bernard Shaw once lived, then on to Codicote were we should see the Community Orchard in full fruit. Then we go back to Old Welwyn via the Danesbury Local Nature Reserve and its wonderful thistles
51st Walk Standon ( 30 August )
This is an opportunity to see Standon and Much Hadham, both delightful villages with old timbered buildings and fine churches. There are good views over open country and pleasant walking by the River Rib. The village church of St Mary at Standon has Saxon origins with much Victorian restoration. The place-name is first attested in a Saxon charter of 944-6 AD and means 'stony hill'. Much Hadham also dates from Saxon times and is one of Hertfordshire's oldest and most picturesque villages.
52nd Walk Pirton ( 30 August )
This is a fairly hilly walk with great views. We follow the Icknield Way to Telegraph Hill then come back towards Little Offley. The Icknield Way is an ancient trackway that goes from Norfolk to Wiltshire. It is generally said to be one of the oldest roads in Great Britain, being one of the few long-distance trackways to have existed before the Romans occupied the country, of which the route can still be traced. Telegraph Hill was the site of an Admiralty semaphore mast in the early 1800s. The leader has advised that some parts may be soggy after the rain and to wear appropriate footwear, but the route is being checked this weekend and if advice changes, we will let you know.
53rd Walk Newgate Street ( 6 September )
This is a pleasantly undulating, partly wooded walk along footpaths, bridleways and tracks.The walk uses sections of the Hertfordshire Way long-distance footpath and takes in Warrenwood Park, Essendon and Little Berkhamsted. There are no stiles but two steepish climbs. There will be a half way 10 minutes break at Essendon cricket green. Park at the Recreation Ground car park (not the adjacent Village Hall car park) off New Park Road. If this is full then please park considerately in New Park Road.
54th Walk Redbourne (13 September )
This varied walk starts at the West Common in Redbourn, where cricket was first recorded in 1666, the earliest report of the game being played in the country. We twice cross Watling Street, a Roman road heading north, as well as its modern equivalent the M1 motorway, completed in 1959 and widened in 2008. The walk travels via the ancient village of Flamstead to the Hertfordshire Showground, current home of the Herts County Show which can trace its origins back to a ploughing competition in 1879.We continue along the gentle valley of the River Ver which can be transformed from being a dried-up winterbourne into an active flowing chalk stream. Its pure alkaline water supports a very particular mix of flora and fauna
55th Walk Breachwood Green (20 September )
This walk takes us across Lilley Bottom and to the picturesque hamlets of Cockernhoe, Mangrove Green and Tea Green which are located within the ancient Manor of Cockernhoe which was an estate held with the Manor of Offley.An early reference to Cockernhoe in a 10th Century document confirms the existence of a settlement at least 100 years before the Norman Conquest. The earliest known reference to Manegrave lies in a document dated 1240 but an aerial survey around the hamlet has indicated numerous circular features that have tentatively been identified as prehistoric ring ditches There seem to be no early records of Tea Green but the presence of the two listed 16th Century buildings at Crutchmore and Tankards farms show that there has clearly been a settlement there for several centuries
56th Walk Well End ( 28 September )
A surprisingly rural and tranquil walk in the very south of Herts, starting close to the border with the London Borough of Barnet and heading north west, taking in High Canons and Ridge.We will be walking entirely on Green Belt land and briefly on a few country lanes. Starting in front of the Mops & Brooms pub; please use the car park at the rear and not the one at the front. Only park on the premises if you intend to come in for a drink afterwards. If not, there is some parking in a slip road off Rowley Lane about 200 yards south west of the pub, or park considerately in residential roads.
57th Walk Ayot Green ( 4 October )
This circular walk to celebrate the first anniversary of HWW starts by crossing the Melbourne and Palmerston golf courses at Brocket Park, appropriately named after the two prime ministers who used to reside at nearby Brocket Hall.Later we pass through picturesque Ayot St Lawrence where we see a ruined church, now a folly, and the Brocket Arms, part of a former monastery, said to be haunted by a priest who was tried and then hanged there. We go through the parish of Ayot St Peter and include part of the Ayot Greenway, a former railway which ran between Hatfield and Luton. We pass the site of Ayot Station which was once an important local stop long before nearby Welwyn Garden City was built.
58th Walk Hertford ( 11 October )
This is a varied walk along the River Lee from Hertford to St Margarets, then across farmland, playing fields and a nature reserve to Hertford Heath village green, where we will stop for a drink at The Goat.We continue across some open countryside and along a wooded lane back to Hertford.
59th Walk Ashridge ( 12 October )
This rewarding walk follows the well marked Ashridge Boundary Trail which - the clue is in the name - circumnavigates the perimeter of the Ashridge Estate comprising of forest, open farmland, heathland, vistas from the Chiltern escarpment and the 1.5 mile Golden Valley which earned its name from when all the trees adorning either side display their autumn colours.At the start/finish point there is the popular Brownlows cafe (open 8am to 6pm) which does lovely breakfasts to fill you up for a day's walking and lovely cakes and huge scones to reward yourself after a day's walking.The route will be followed in a clockwise direction at a moderate but steady pace over some undulating terrain with a couple of ascents of note, such as Ivinghoe Beacon. There are also sections of flat terrain thrown in for good measure.Please bring enough food and water to last the day. There will be a couple of shorter lunch stops rather than one longer one, interspersed with water and catch-up breaks, which has proven quite successful on longer walks.
60th Walk Rabley Heath ( 18 October )
This will be a circular walk starting from the Robin Hood & Little John pub in Rabley Heath, passing under the A1(M) and heading towards the villages of Woolmer Green and Burnham Green.For those that want to eat later, we will be having a meal after the walk at the Robin Hood & Little John
61st Walk Graveley ( 25 October )
This is a pleasant, undulating walk in countryside associated with the novelist E M Forster who lived nearby at Rooks Nest, whose name features in his novel Howards End. We leave Graveley by passing its 12th Century St Mary's church, starting with a gentle incline to Damask Green. We then enter the adjoining village of Weston heading to Holy Trinity churchyard, where we will find the unusually long grave of Jack O'Legs. The legend is that Jack O'Legs was an abnormally tall man who stole from shops in the nearby town of Baldock. After leaving the churchyard we take a trail which includes Hall's Green and Warren Green and parts of the Hertfordshire Way.
62nd Walk Wheathamstead ( 1 November )
This will be a circular walk heading up Devil's Dyke (of Roman interest) towards Coleman Green then across to the attractive grounds and bridge of Brocket Hall.From there, it is back to Wheathampstead via the river and the disused railway line. At the end of the walk there will be an opportunity to visit The Swan, a 15th Century pub recently reopened after a devastating fire last year
63rd Walk Ardeley ( 8 November )
This pleasant and undemanding route, in the gently undulating countryside of the Beane valley, takes us from the attractive village of Ardeley, south almost to Benington, then around to Walkern and back to Ardeley. We will pass some cattle, so dogs should be kept on leads past Lordship Farm. There will be NO pub stop en route, but the walk will end at The Jolly Waggoner pub.
64th Walk Essendon (15 November )
This is a 'figure-of-eight' walk taking in the scenic, rolling Hertfordshire countryside around Essendon. The village has ancient origins and is built on an elevated site. Firstly we cross the historic Bedwell Park - now home to two golf courses - to reach nearby Little Berkhamsted, which is in an equally elevated position. Walkers who prefer a shorter walk can leave the route after four miles, when we pass near the starting point.The second part of the route is close to the private fisheries on the River Lea and then through the eastern fringes of the Hatfield House Estate, which has been run by the Cecil family for over 400 years. Towards the end we get glimpses of the imposing Essendon Place, former home of the Barons Dimsdale of Russia. Afterwards there will be an opportunity for a drink nearby at the Rose & Crown.
65th Walk Colney Heath (29 November )
This walk will take us past Willows Farm fishing lake, an example of the landscaping of old gravel pits. We will then walk through Willow Activity Farm were we should see some rare breed pigs and goats and other farm animals. The route will then take us past Tyttenhanger House, a 17th Century country mansion, then on to Colney Heath with its coal tax post which was erected following the Coal Duties Act of 1851. We then cross into open countryside to see another modern feature of the countryside - a wind turbine. Afterwards there will be an opportunity for a drink nearby at the Crooked Billet.
66th Walk Little Gaddesdon (7 December )
From Little Gaddesden we follow the Chiltern Way across the Gade Valley towards Studham, which is just across the border in Bedfordshire. Heading on to Whipsnade Tree Cathedral for lunch, a place for religious arborists and topiarists. Our return leg skirts the edge of Whipsnade Zoo before heading across the golf course down into Dagnall, past a pig farm, up through Hoo Wood returning into Little Gaddesden and to the pub for some apres walk socialising.
67th Walk Buntingford (14 December )
We will leave the town along Hare Street Road, taking a cross country route towards the 17th Century Alswick Hall, walking towards Hare Street village, across gentle undulating farmland. Moving on to Great Hormead, we will have an hour's stop at the Three Tuns for drinks and the opportunity for a light lunch. The pub itself dates back to the 16th Century, with a beautiful open fire place, exposed beams and a relaxed, cosy feel.As a courtesy to the landlord, please take off your boots before entering the pub. Moving through Great Hormead, skirting past Hormead Hall heading north towards Anstey, we turn east in the direction of Wyddial, returning to Buntingford passing the 16th Century St Bartholomew's church in Layston, which is currently being restored to its former glory
68th Walk Wheathampstead & The Ayots (20 December )
This is a walk in a very pretty area of Hertfordshire to several of the Ayot villages before returning to Wheathampstead along an old railway track and the River Lea. Please bring a packed lunch. There may be the opportunity of a pub stop for a drink during the walk.
69th Walk Panshanger,Bramfield and Tewin (27 December )
This is a rural walk starting at Panshanger Golf Course, heading in the direction of Bramfield. We will pass the beautiful Georgian mansion Marden Hill House, built in 1750, and skirt around Bramfield Park Wood. We will then pass by the Elizabethan Queen Hoo Hall and head towards The Plume of Feathers pub in Tewin Wood. From there we will go cross country to St Peter's Church in Tewin and back to Panshanger.