Walk 175: Hertford to Cole Green

5.5 miles (8.8 km) with 89m of total ascent

The Cole Green Way

We mapped this route following a request on Twitter for a walk that is buggy friendly and involves a pub. The person who contacted us lives in Hertford. So we just put this walk together for any buggy pushers who live in Hertford and want a flat route with the option of refreshments at the start, middle point, and end.

The walk can be enjoyed one-way if you can get someone to pick you up at The Cowper Arms (2.6 miles), or, if you have the stamina, turn back from the pub and return the same way (5.5 miles). There is a pub, The Black Horse (location - https://w3w.co/names.muddy.successes) near the start of the walk. It has a lovely beer garden at the back and is a CAMRA freehouse.

The walk is mainly along the Cole Green Way, which follows what was the route of the old Hertford to Welwyn Junction Line. It's also part of the Lea Valley Walk. Here is the request we received on the Hertfordshire Walker Twitter feed.

Twitter request for a buggy friendly walk with a pub at the end

So this is what we produced.

Directions

Map for Walk 175: Hertford to Cole Green
(click here or on the map for larger version)
Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker
Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors
There is an interactive map below these directions

Those with GPS devices can download GPX or KML files for this walk. We've added What3Words location references for those who use that system. If you print these walks you might want to use the green PrintFriendly icon at the bottom of these directions to delete elements such as photographs.

For those driving to the start of the walk, we saw several parking places near the the junction mentioned in point 2 below (location - https://w3w.co/venue.curiosity.loss) We didn't park there and we didn't check any parking restrictions.

The byway heading SW off West Street, Hertford

1: The route starts on West Street in Hertford, which is accessible from the town centre via a pedestrian crossing with traffic light control over the A414. Walk WSW along West Street passing the Black Horse pub freehouse on the left which has an lovely beer garden at the back and serves excellent real ale (location - https://w3w.co/names.muddy.successes).

Continue heading SW for 430m to reach a byway on the right (location - https://w3w.co/prop.gives.deaf). This is Hertford BOAT 54 (byway open to all traffic).

Hertford BOAT 54 heading SW towards the viaduct

2: Turn right on Hertford BOAT 54 then head SW and W for 400m, crossing the River Lea via a bridge (location - https://w3w.co/filer.pulled.vivid) then passing Hertford Town Football Club on the right (location - https://w3w.co/hats.truth.ships) and continuing until you reach a railway viaduct (location - https://w3w.co/decay.search.bring).

Once you reach the Cole Green Way follow it SW

3: Go under the viaduct then continue heading SW, now on Hertford footpath 55, for 80m until you reach the Cole Green Way (location - https://w3w.co/text.shells.lonely). Turn left on the Cole Green Way then follow it SW and W for 2.1 miles (3.4 km) until you reach the remains of the old Cole Green Station (location - https://w3w.co/sports.senior.chins).

Continue heading WSW along the Cole Green Way

As you head along the Cole Green Way the former railway branch line will cross a number of lanes including St Mary's Lane (location - https://w3w.co/divisions.backs.emerge), Staines Green (location - https://w3w.co/raft.digits.leaves), and Birch Green at its junction with Chapel Lane (location - https://w3w.co/critic.teams.dairy). You will also notice several footpaths on the right and left; ignore them all.

The approach to Cole Green station with the platform on the right

4: Leave the Cole Green Way by by turning right and climbing up the ramp to reach what was the platform at Cole Green Station then turn left when you reach the car park and head W for 120m until you reach Station Road (location - https://w3w.co/medium.farm.ozone). Turn right on Station Road and The Cowper Arms is on your right (location - https://w3w.co/rarely.cities.bronze).

For those returning to Hertford just follow the route in reverse. 

Interactive map

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Walk 174: Ayot St Lawrence South-West Loop

6 miles (9.6 km) with 104m of total ascent

Wheathampstead footpath 67 between points 12 & 13

This walk includes sections of four of the walks in our collection, numbers 40, 94, 111, and 143, but with many of the paths walked in reverse, so offering different views of the wonderful rolling countryside S and W of Ayot St Lawrence. The walk starts and finishes at The Brocket Arms. It is now one of our favourites. The bluebells in the woods between points 15 and 16 are stunning in late April.

Directions

Map for Walk 174: Ayot St Lawrence South-West Loop
(click here or on the map for larger version)
Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker
Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors
There is an interactive map below these directions

Those with GPS devices can download GPX or KML files for this walk. We've added What3Words location references for those who use that system. If you print these walks you might want to use the green PrintFriendly icon at the bottom of these directions to delete elements such as photographs.

The 12th century church ruins at Ayot St Lawrence

1: With your back to The Brocket Arms (location - https://w3w.co/both.universally.city) turn left then head WSW along Hill Farm Lane for 110m passing the site of the old church on your right (location - https://w3w.co/grapes.basket.flips), see image above. The runs are a Grade II listed building dating back to the 12th century. Continue until you reach a lefthand bend (location - https://w3w.co/mull.cave.boring).

Take the left fork, Ayot St Lawrence footpath 6, then follow it WSW

2: Turn right at the bend just beyond the cottages then head WNW for 30m until you reach a gate (location - https://w3w.co/unrealistic.boxer.dash). Go through the gate then take the left fork, Ayot St Lawrence footpath 6, then follow it WSW for 145m until you go through a gate (location - https://w3w.co/couches.darker.gifts).

Head WSW to the left of a large tree, see yellow arrow above

Keep heading WSW for another 130m keeping to the left of a large tree (see image above) and continuing until you reach a track (location - https://w3w.co/cute.lift.spray). On your right you will see the new church (location - https://w3w.co/beans.given.orbit) which you can visit via a short detour N from this point.

Head SSW on Kimpton footpath 13

3: Turn left on the track then immediately turn right on Bibbs Hall Lane (location - https://w3w.co/noble.awake.pills) then head WSW for 40m until you reach a footpath on your left (location - https://w3w.co/skins.driver.player), see image above. Take this path, Kimpton footpath 13, then head SSW for 160m until you reach a junction (location - https://w3w.co/bricks.powder.filed), see image below.

Turn right at the junction, still on Kimpton footpath 13

4: Turn right at the junction, still on Kimpton footpath 13, then head WSW for 220m until you reach another junction (location - https://w3w.co/leader.trials.stand), see image below.

Turn left on Wheathampstead footpath 37

5: Turn left on Wheathampstead footpath 37 then head SW for 810m until you reach a gate leading to a lane (location - https://w3w.co/plant.facing.stole), see image below.

Turn left on the lane then head S

6: Turn left on the lane then head S for 100m until the lane bends to the right (location - https://w3w.co/margin.gently.healers) and you continue heading S on Wheathampstead footpath 41 for 580m until you reach a track on the left (location - https://w3w.co/gravel.store.oasis), see image below.

Turn left on Wheathampstead footpath 38

7: Turn left on Wheathampstead footpath 38 then head ESE for 300m to a junction (location - https://w3w.co/scope.pigs.focal).

Head S on Wheathampstead footpath 39

8: Turn right then head S on for 470m on Wheathampstead footpath 39 until you reach Codicote Road (location - https://w3w.co/cigar.lawn.files).

Follow Wheathampstead footpath 63 SSE

9: Cross Codicote Road then take Wheathampstead footpath 63, see image above. Head SSE for 390m until you reach Ayot Greenway (location - https://w3w.co/card.judge.yappy), see image below.

Wheathampstead footpath 63 approaching Ayot Greenway

10: Cross Ayot Greenway, which is the track of a former railway branch line that ran from Welwyn Garden City to Luton and Dunstable.  Continue heading SSE, still on Wheathampstead footpath 63, for 90m until you reach a junction (location - https://w3w.co/unit.voters.that), see image below.

Turn right at the junction on Wheathampstead BOAT 4

Turn right at the junction then head SSE on Wheathampstead BOAT 4 (byway open to all traffic) for 60m looking out for a bridleway on the left (location - https://w3w.co/copies.strike.first).

11: Turn left on Wheathampstead bridleway 18 then head W for 270m until you reach a gate leading to a footpath on your right (location - https://w3w.co/shape.eagles.chop), see image below.

Turn right on Wheathampstead footpath 69 then head SE

12: Turn right, go through the gate, then turn left on Wheathampstead footpath 69 and head SE for 100m until the path bends to the left (location - https://w3w.co/calculating.popped.vibe) and joins Wheathampstead footpath 67 then heads E and ESE for 1km until it reaches a junction (location - https://w3w.co/poster.juror.useful), see image below.

Turn left on Wheathampstead bridleway 18 then head NNE

13: Turn left on Wheathampstead bridleway 18 then head NNE for 240m until you meet Ayot Greenway again (location - https://w3w.co/report.toxic.sunset), see image above.

The possible detour in orange mentioned in point 14 - click to enlarge
Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker
Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors

14: Turn right on Ayot Greenway then follow it ESE for 420m until you reach a footpath on the left just before a bridge spanning the Greenway. This path offers a nice shortcut N and NE with great views, but it can be waterlogged in bad weather and very muddy after rain (see detour in orange in the map above).

Continue heading E then ENE on Ayot Greenway

If you choose not to take the detour, keep following the main route (in green on the map) and head E under the bridge then ENE, still on Ayot Greenway, ignoring a footpath on the right and continuing for another 480m looking out for a footpath on the left just before the Greenway goes over a bridge (location - https://w3w.co/comet.flip.weep), see image below.

The path on the left leaving Ayot Greenway just before the bridge

Take this footpath which leaves the route of the old railway line, see image above, then drops down the embankment to reach a track with a bridge on the right (location - https://w3w.co/field.agent.ankle).

After leaving Ayot Greenway drop down to a track then turn left

15: Turn left on the track then head NNE for 1.3km on a bridleway along the parish boundary that is both Wheathampstead bridleway 11 and Ayot St Peter bridleway 16. You will pass through some woodland where you will see some amazing displays of bluebells if you visit in late April (we did this on 23 April 2022), see images below (location - https://w3w.co/unit.term.forks), see images below.

Bluebells in the woods between points 15 & 16

Bluebells in the woods between points 15 & 16

Continue until you reach Codicote Road (location - https://w3w.co/spins.amused.liked).

Cross Codicote Road then take the bridleway on the opposite side

16: Cross Codicote Road then take the bridleway on the opposite side. At this point you have two choices, both lead to the same place.

You can either head NW through the lovely Stocking Spring Wood nature reserve, (location - https://w3w.co/passes.closes.yours) which is managed by the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, and which is rich in bluebells and wood anemones in the spring, or you can use a parallel bridleway.

Either way you head NW, both tracks converge later on. We always like walking through Stocking Spring.

The bridleway heading NW to the left of Stocking Spring Wood

If you choose to stay on the bridleway then keep heading NW on a continuation of Wheathampstead bridleway 11 (which is also Ayot St Lawrence bridleway 2 at this stage) for 820m until the path through Stocking Spring merges from the right (location - https://w3w.co/signal.pass.skins).

At this point the bridleway you are on is both Wheathampstead bridleway 1 and Ayot St Lawrence bridleway 2. Keep following it NW for 810m until you reach Bride Hall Lane (location - https://w3w.co/frog.teeth.forks).

Shaw's Corner, Ayot St Lawrence

17: Turn right then follow Bride Hall Lane N for 140m until you reach Shaw's Corner on the left (location - https://w3w.co/charge.hung.mull). This is the former home of the author George Bernard Shaw, and is now managed by The National Trust.

Continue heading N for 140m then follow the road as it bends right then heads E back to the start/finish point (location - https://w3w.co/angel.stores.letter).

This walk was recommend by our occasional walking companions Sophie and Mike Brewer who suggested the route and tested it with us over the Easter weekend 2022.

Interactive map

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Walk 173: Little Wymondley Loop

6.9 miles (11 km) with 122m of total ascent

The view at point 17 on the walk

This walk explores the countryside between Hitchin and Stevenage by creating a loop that links Titmore Green, Little Wymondley and Great Wymondley. However, to do so we had to include a section where you will be aware of the noise of the A1(M) and have to pass through a built-up area. We felt that it was worth it for the access it gives to some parts of the countryside that are quiet and offering excellent views. We have checked and re-routed this walk twice. There is one part where the route crosses a dual carriageway via a pedestrian island, but, on both occasions we've done it there wasn't a problem because of the frequent breaks in the traffic. There are seven pubs on, or close to, the route.

Directions

Map for Walk 173: Little Wymondley Loop
(click here or on the map for larger version)
Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker
Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors
There is an interactive map below these directions

Those with GPS devices can download GPX or KML files for this walk. We've added What3Words location references for those who use that system. If you print these walks you might want to use the green PrintFriendly icon at the bottom of these directions to delete elements such as photographs.

Wymondley footpath 2 leaving Great Wymondley

1: With your back to The Plume of Feathers (location - https://w3w.co/host.artist.broom) turn left on Priory Lane then head N. After 120m you will go under a railway bridge (location - https://w3w.co/still.yard.these). Continue for 80m looking out for a footpath on your left (location - https://w3w.co/toned.spoken.moving).

Wymondley footpath 2 going through the gap in the hedge

2: Turn left on Wymondley footpath 2 then head NNW for 250m to a gap in the hedge (location -https://w3w.co/desk.bucks.goal), see image above. Go through the gap then cross the next field heading NNE for 260m until you reach woodland where you will pass a pond on your left and reach a gate (location - https://w3w.co/sends.fonts.chops).

Cross the field in the direction of the yellow arrow
The yellow star shows the site of the motte and bailey

3: Go through the gate then walk NNE for 360m across a field, still on Wymondley footpath 2, heading to the right of a white building in the distance, see image above with yellow arrow. As you walk this section you will pass a motte and bailey and the site of the former Wymondley Castle on your right (location - https://w3w.co/fever.client.trace), shown with a yellow star on the image above and with a blue marker with a white dot just to the right of point 4 on the maps above and below.

Wymondley footpath 2 leaving the NW corner of the churchyard

4: Enter the churchyard of the church of St Mary The Virgin (location - https://w3w.co/loss.pipes.bench). Head N through the churchyard for 60m, still on Wymondley footpath 2, with the hedgerow on your left looking for a gap in the hedge in the NW corner (location - https://w3w.co/harp.spicy.pull), see image above. Go through the gap then follow Wymondley footpath 2 WNW for 100m until you reach Arch Road opposite The Green Man pub/restaurant (location - https://w3w.co/total.pasta.fuels).

5: Turn right on Arch Road then head NNE for 30m until you reach the junction with Hitchin Road (location - https://w3w.co/during.smiles.sunk). Continue heading NNE along Arch Road for another 30m until you reach the junction with Graveley Road (location - https://w3w.co/trains.young.unwanted) on your right. Turn right on Graveley Road then head ESE for 90m looking for a track on the left that runs alongside sports fields (location - https://w3w.co/ready.asking.crush).

Great Wymondley Community Orchard

The list of all the contributors to Great Wymondley Community Orchard
Click here or on image to enlarge

6: Turn left on the track then head NNE for 240m until you reach a gate (location - https://w3w.co/pasta.income.stones). Before you reach the gate you will see Great Wymondley Community Orchard on your right (location - https://w3w.co/hardly.sketch.dinner). It's worth having a look at the sign. Click on the image above to enlarge.

Go through the gate then continue heading NNE to a T-junction

Go through the gate then continue heading NNE for 210m until you reach a T-junction (location - https://w3w.co/loyal.keys.pills).

Head E for 1km until you reach a T-junction

7: Turn right at the T-junction then follow the track E for 1km, ignoring paths to your right or left, and continuing until you meet a T-junction (location - https://w3w.co/crisp.empire.uses).

Wymondley bridleway 1 heading SE towards Graveley Lane

8: Turn right at the T-junction on Wymondley bridleway 1 then head SE for 600m until you reach Graveley Lane (location - https://w3w.co/cove.finger.undulation).

9: Turn left on Graveley Lane then head ESE for 120m, passing under the A1(M), then looking out for a footpath on your right (location - https://w3w.co/strict.tulip.ideal).

Graveley bridleway 21 heading SSE of Graveley Lane

10: Take this path, Graveley bridleway 21, then head SSE for 190m until you reach a junction where Milksey Lane leaves to the left (location - https://w3w.co/caged.salt.ridge). Keep to the right at the junction then head SSW for 280m until you reach Oak Lane on the left (location - https://w3w.co/sling.debate.roses).

* At this point you have the option turning left on Oak Lane and heading ESE for 210m to visit either The Waggon and Horses or The George and Dragon on High Street Graveley (location - https://w3w.co/wants.hired.crown).

11: If you don't want to take the detour to the pubs, continue heading SSW on Turf Lane for 940m until you reach Graveley Road at a large and busy roundabout (location - https://w3w.co/globe.stud.wide).

The route between points 12 & 15 **

12: Cross Graveley Road then turn right towards the roundabout then turn left and head SSW and then S alongside Hitchin Road (location - https://w3w.co/flesh.create.penny), see satellite image above.

The path on the left leading to the underpass beneath Hitchin Road

13: Continue along the footpath running along the side of Hitchin Road for 170m until you reach a path on your left (location - https://w3w.co/soaks.slower.deflection) which leads downhill to an underpass under Hitchin Road (location - https://w3w.co/gentle.outer.manliness).

14: Go through the underpass then turn left and head S for 130m looking out for a track on the right just past the Sainsbury's car park (location - https://w3w.co/branded.blocks.draw).

Stevenage restricted byway 57

15: Take this track, Stevenage restricted byway 57, then follow it SSW for 360m until it turns right then goes over the railway line (location - https://w3w.co/senses.help.still).

Go under the underpass, keep right then follow the path W

16: After crossing the railway line continue heading SSW, still on Stevenage restricted byway 57, for 160m until you reach an open grassy area. At this point you continue heading SW along a metalled stretch for 140m until the path goes through an underpass beneath Fishers Green (location - https://w3w.co/lasted.empty.scare).

The Fisherman pub/restaurant

17: Once through the underpass keep right then follow the path W for 90m before it joins a lane (location - https://w3w.co/item.voters.nurses) where you keep right and head W for 30m before the lane bends to the left (location - https://w3w.co/pilots.wipe.tummy) then heads S for 70m until you reach the entrance to The Fisherman pub/restaurant car park on your right (location - https://w3w.co/events.transfers.ticket).

Take the footpath from the SW corner of The Fisherman car park

18: Head W through The Fisherman car park for 60m looking out for a footpath in the SW corner (location - https://w3w.co/nails.fish.sector), see image above. Leave the car park then turn left and follow the footpath S through woodland.

The path heading S from point 18

This stretch was carpeted in wood anemone, celandine, and bluebells when we tested this walk on 13 April 2022.

The bend leading to a tunnel under the A1(M)

Continue heading S for 930m until you reach a righthand bend where the path heads W to reach a tunnel under the A1(M) (location - https://w3w.co/butter.yappy.trout), see image above.

The junction where Stevenage footpath 34A meets Ippollitts footpath 23

19: Go through the tunnel following Stevenage footpath 34A then head straight and WSW across a field to a footpath junction (location - https://w3w.co/chimp.suffice.chief), see image above.

Head WSW on Ippollitts footpath 23

20: Continue heading WSW at the junction, now on Ippollitts footpath 23, for 410m until you reach a junction (location - https://w3w.co/rival.slower.sleep). We loved this stretch as we finally left the sound of the A1(M) behind and were able to enjoy wide open views across the Hertfordshire countryside. 

Turn left at the woodland still on Ippollitts bridleway 24

21: Turn right at the junction then head NNE for 260m, now on Ippollitts bridleway 24, until you reach woodland (location - https://w3w.co/store.maybe.throw) where Ippollitts bridleway 24 bends left then heads WNW for 150m before reaching a right turn at the end of the woodland (location - https://w3w.co/hers.price.daisy).

Turn right at the end of the woodland on Wymondley bridleway 22

22: At the end of the woodland turn right then head NNE on Wymondley bridleway 22 for 680m then NNW for 280m until you reach a lane called Lower Titmore Green (location - https://w3w.co/heads.youth.album).

Follow Wymondley bridleway 22 until you reach a lane

23: Continue heading NNW along the lane for another 230m until you reach a footpath on your left (location - https://w3w.co/bunks.calls.owners).

Wymondley footpath 17 heading NNW

24: At a footpath junction take Wymondley footpath 17 through a gate and keep to your right to follow it NNW for 320m, with the hedgerow on the right and the field on your left, until you reach Stevenage Road in Titmore Green. The path will emerge opposite The Hermit of Redcoats pub (location - https://w3w.co/spend.bunk.storm). We've had two really good meals at The Hermit of Redcoats, the first when mapping another walk in this area, Walk 138: The Titmore Green Loop, and the second when testing this route.

Look out for toads crossing as you walk along Stevenage Road

25: When you reach Stevenage Road turn right then walk E for 200m looking out for a footpath on the left (location - https://w3w.co/points.jazzy.proof). There isn't a pedestrian pavement along this stretch but there are some sections of grass verge where you can step aside to avoid oncoming traffic.

Wymondley footpath 8 heading N off the road

26: Turn left on Wymondley footpath 8 then follow it N for 250m until you reach the A602 (location - https://w3w.co/candy.slip.spin). Take care crossing this dual carriageway. There is a pavement for pedestrians at the midway point which makes crossing easier. We didn't have a problem.

27: Continue heading N, still on Wymondley footpath 8, for 250m passing sports buildings on your right (location - https://w3w.co/cloud.talent.smiled). Continue round the sports building until you reach a footpath on the left (location - https://w3w.co/peanut.steep.oval).

The gate where Wymondley footpath 8 continues heading N

28: Go through the gate then follow Wymondley footpath 8 N for 370m until you reach The Buck's Head on Stevenage Road (location - https://w3w.co/bounty.author.atom), where you turn right and head back to the starting point.

Interactive map

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Note: The satellite image at point 11 is courtesy of: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

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