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.
A varied rural walk from the western edge of Stevenage, up and down the slopes of the Langley valley and through Hitch Wood, a large woodland known for its bluebells.
Starting at Meadway Playing Fields, we’ll immediately enter the countryside west of the A1(M), crossing a field and descending to Rush Green, a site which may interest fans of vintage transport vehicles! Then, turning along Dyes Lane we should spot our first bluebells under the trees before we go across to the hamlet of Langley.
We head over rolling fields and along a quiet country lane, picking up the Stevenage Outer Orbital Path through Reynolds Wood and St Paul’s Walden. We’ll pass All Saints Church, where the Queen Mother was baptised, then make our way into Hitch Wood, an ancient woodland and mature plantation said by The Chiltern Society to be one of the finest woods in the North Chilterns. This is a popular spot in springtime due to its amazing bluebell carpet.
On leaving the wood we’ll walk up to Hill End Chalk Pit, a small nature reserve of geological importance where many fossils have been found. We then head north along the Hertfordshire Way to the ruins of Minsden Chapel, before going downhill to The Rusty Gun country pub where we’ll pause for a drink.
After our refreshments it’s back uphill to Almshoe Bury and through farmland to Stevenage, returning under the motorway and via Symonds Green to our start point.
Please bring a packed lunch for a picnic stop partway round.
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, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely 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.
Meadway Playing Fields car park, Redcar Drive, Stevenage SG1 2HP (accessed via the roundabout at Gunnels Wood Road; take the Clovelly Way exit then the second exit on to Redcar Drive and follow the road along where the car park is on the right). Free parking. If using public transport, take bus SB9 from Stevenage Interchange to Rutherford Close (3 min walk) or walk from Stevenage Interchange (20 mins).
