We are the West Berkshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
The walks all start from Heartwood Forest in Hertfordshire. This is the largest new native forest in Britain and planting was started in 2009 and by the last tree in 2018 there were 60,000 trees. 600 trees alone form part of the Community Orchard.
On the way into St Albans, the two shorter walks pass Chidwickbury Manor former home to film director Stanley Kubric.
St Albans itself is an ancient town founded 1700 years ago and is adjacent to the site of a vast Roman city, The Verulamium, here there is still evidence of grand houses with mosaic and hypocaust. There is even a rare example of a Roman theatre, the only one in Britain that is not an amphitheatre. The whole area is now parkland with amenities open to and enjoyed by all.
There is also a magnificent Cathedral which has notably the longest nave in the country and was initially built using bricks from The Verulamium. The shrine of St Alban is also housed here and is well worth a visit.
In the town itself there are many interesting buildings to see and visit from several different ages from the Medieval clock tower to modern day. There are two museums and a variety of places to eat and drink as well as an eclectic mix of shops in the central area.
The three walks which are all mainly level take in parts of the Hertfordshire Way, which was formed in 1998 to celebrate the then 60th anniversary of the Ramblers' Association and is a total of 195 miles.
There will be an opportunity for people to have coach only to St Albans and to be dropped off by the Museum of St Albans in the town centre.
Meet in Trinity School car park (entrance from Love Lane) for the coach to Heartwood Forest where we will walk to St Albans
