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 20 people, including the leader.
Get the new year off to an active start and mark the 90th anniversary of the Ramblers with a walk which measures 90 furlongs (equivalent to 11.25 miles or 18.1km)!
The walk heads south from Royston into the chalk uplands of North Hertfordshire, taking in wide views, tree-lined byways, pretty villages and one or two hills.
This is a joint walk with our neighbouring younger Ramblers group, Walk Cambridge. We are among over 500 groups which are part of the Ramblers, which was officially created as The Ramblers’ Association on 1 January 1935.
From Royston town centre we begin heading south along paths which form parts of both the Hertfordshire Way and Greenwich Meridian Trail, just west of the Prime Meridian which is used to set time across the world. We’ll walk through Newsells Park Stud, where we’re likely to pass some racehorses in their paddocks, then between open fields and steeply uphill towards the village of Reed. From the top of the ridge we should see Cambridge quite easily and if the weather is clear might even spot Ely Cathedral 30 miles away.
After a snack we’ll continue south to the tiny village of Buckland and a packed lunch stop. We turn northwest towards Therfield after crossing the A10 (the Roman road of Ermine Street) and join a section of the Icknield Way long-distance path. In Therfield we’ll visit The Fox & Duck pub for a quick drink then progress gently downhill back to Royston, passing a memorial bench for a local Ramblers volunteer.
Some paths may be muddy so please bring appropriate footwear (walking boots) and something to sit on at lunch (e.g. a sit mat).
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: 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.
Civic Centre Car Park, 1 King James Way, Royston SG8 7XB. Free parking on Bank Holidays. 10 minutes' walk from Royston railway station - trains arrive from the south (St Pancras, Hitchin, Letchworth etc.) at 10.02 and a replacement bus service from Cambridge at 10.04.
