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.
Setting off from the eastern side of St. Albans, this walk uses a series of little used rural paths to navigate a variety of rural landscapes, some with an interesting twist, to reach the villages and hamlets south of the city. After following the River Colne west, it then returns to St. Albans across farmland and a college campus.
We start by walking east past the Jersey Farm estate and before long are out in the fields, crossing a horse farm before turning southeast. Passing some active and disused sand and gravel pits, and crossing a sand conveyor, we then find ourselves in Ellenbrook Fields, a former British Aerospace test range and airfield now converted to wild grasslands for public enjoyment. We continue south into Smallford, our first village. Beyond this is the hamlet of Sleepshyde, after which we walk through woods and fields to our next village, Colney Heath. We will likely have our packed lunch stop at this point.
We follow the Colne River west, then pass Bowman's Lakes, also former sand and gravel pits, before turning northwest to reach our final village, Tyttenhanger. From here the path leads north through fields and back into St. Albans. But there won't be much street walking here, as the majority of the walk back is then across the Oaklands College campus, where there's a good chance to meet some of the animals tended by the agricultural students, most likely goats, sheep and alpacas.
There are several options for a possible pub stop along the route.
This route includes many little known and little used footpaths by design. These may be overgrown, so long trousers are recommended.
This walk is not suitable for dogs except assistance dogs.
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.
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.
If you have any questions or need to contact the leader about the walk, please post on the Meetup event page.
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, and optionally a basic first aid kit & hand sanitiser.
For more information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
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.
Meet at the eastern end of Marshal's Drive, St. Albans, AL1 4RE, near the junction with Marshalswick Lane. There is ample street parking available all along Marshal's Drive. If using public transport, the S6 bus runs from St. Albans Station and the nearest stop to the start point is Marshalswick Lane/Jersey Lane. Please check bus times before travelling.
