We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.
Part 14 of an epic long-distance trail around Hertfordshire!
The Hertfordshire Way is a 200-mile route around the county, which we're walking in sections each month. Don’t worry if you’ve missed previous parts of the series - everyone is welcome to join any of these walks.
Today’s walk is a circular route along the Hertfordshire Way southwest of Bayford, starting and ending at Bayford railway station. We’ll travel through undulating countryside taking in woodland, farmland and charming villages.
We begin by following a section of the Hertfordshire Chain Walk along wooded byways into the valley of Ponsbourne Park, picking up the Hertfordshire Way in the village of Newgate Street (officially, the Hertfordshire Way goes to Newgate Street from Cuffley via Carbone Hill, but for safety reasons we’ll bypass this section of road walking).
From Newgate Street we’ll walk uphill into open farmland, with impressive views of Northaw Great Wood and London beyond. A bridleway takes us past Warrenwood Manor and Stud Farm; here the rough track gives way to block paving, giving us a chance of some mud-free walking!
We'll proceed alongside brooks and streams through woodland towards the isolated hamlet of West End, where we’ll have our packed lunches then visit The Candlestick pub; this is a traditional free house with a large garden where not only can we enjoy a drink but we might spot sheep, goats, chickens and a white peacock!
After our break we’ll continue across the rolling countryside through the villages of Essendon and Little Berkhamsted, keeping an eye out for local landmark Stratton’s Tower, then return to our start point via Bayford village.
Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and please check back regularly in case you do get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a circular walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they purchase membership. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Bayford station car park, Brickendon Lane, Bayford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8PH. Bayford station is on the Hertford Loop Line between Kings Cross / Moorgate and Stevenage via Hertford North. Please note rail replacement bus services are in operation today so journey times may increase significantly. Driving and car-sharing is recommended. Parking at station car park £3.60 payable via APCOA Connect App.
