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.
Alastair M
This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.
A short circular walk through two country estates on the outskirts of St. Albans, with parkland, woodland and views across the Ver valley.
This walk is billed as an introductory walk. This means that it may be a great choice for you if you are new to Stag Walkers and wish to try us out with a shorter walk. Existing members are also encouraged to attend to welcome first time walkers.
We begin at Batchwood Hall, formerly a grand house set in parkland, bought by the local council nearly a century ago and used for a variety of leisure purposes over the years (including a famous nightclub). We walk through the estate, now used as a golf course, past rolling farmland with views of Gorhambury House and onto our second estate, Childwickbury.
Childwick Hall is famously the former residence of acclaimed film director Stanley Kubrick. His widow, a prominent patron of the arts, still lives there. We'll catch a glimpse of the grand house and will also pass through the charming village on the estate, before heading back towards St. Albans through a berry farm.
The majority of the route is on well made dirt tracks or paved paths and over relatively flat terrain.
Note that this is a morning walk. There will be a snack stop but no packed lunch stop.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: If you would like to join, you must book in advance using the Stag Walkers Meetup group - see Notes for how to book & what to bring. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your booking so that someone else can take your place.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
Please car-share or use public transport if possible. To offer a lift or ask for one from a fellow walker, please use the Meetup event page.
This is a circular walk.
Please be aware of the walk grade: walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous
Use our Meetup group to book your place on the walk: https://www.meetup.com/StagWalkers/
Book your place via the Stag Walkers Meetup group by clicking the ‘Attend’ button on the event page. If the walk is full, click ‘join waitlist’ and you will be added if a place becomes available. If you’re on the waitlist, please check back regularly to see if you have been added to the attending list.
Please:
DO NOT book onto a walk unless you are pretty sure you will be able to make it.
UPDATE YOUR RSVP. We understand ‘life happens’ so if you need to change your RSVP please do this at least 24 hours before the walk and before booking closes to enable someone else to take your place.
DON’T NO-SHOW on the day unless it is absolutely unavoidable (we do understand ‘life happens’) because it prevents others from enjoying a walk if it is fully booked.
*TAKE NOTE that if you no-show and/or cancel after the booking closing deadline three times, without extenuating circumstances, we will decline further bookings from you for a period of six weeks.*
Bring a packed lunch/snacks and drinks, appropriate clothing for the conditions and optionally a basic first aid kit.
Please follow NHS guidelines and do not attend the walk if you are unwell.
We are a Ramblers group, non members are welcome to try us out for two or 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 become a full member. 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.
Batchwood Hall Car Park, Batchwood Drive, St. Albans AL3 5UF. Meet at the northern (uphill) end of the main car park. Note that this is a council owned sports club with ample free parking. To access the car park, follow the sign for Batchwood Golf & Sports Centre onto the driveway, then follow the driveway to the sign for the Main Car Park.
