Albury & Patmore Heath Walk, Herts

 

Off-topic, but Gill and I enjoyed a lovely circular 5.38-mile walk in Hertfordshire earlier this month (we also did it a couple of years ago).

The route starts and finishes at Patmore Heath, a rare example of acid grass heathland in South East England. We managed to get lost a couple of times, but it was well worth it for the great views, peaceful surroundings, and gently rolling countryside. Along the way there are historic churches, thatched cottages, and even a few Tudor mansions.

It was a little muddy after the recent rain, but honestly, what’s not to like?

The route is available via the OS/Country Walking app. Recommend OS but you may have to pay to subscribe.

More photos coming soon on Facebook 📸

Thundridge Walk

 

It’s been a while since I last shared a post about a walk, but today Gill and I drove to Thundridge, Hertfordshire (just 40 minutes by car from East London and 2 miles from the railway station in Ware) and enjoyed a beautiful 5.5-mile circular walk under big open skies, following a route from the OS website and Country Walking magazine.

The walk was gentle with a few ups and downs, mostly on good paths. Along the way, we spotted herds of deer, plenty of red kites, and lots of unseasonal ladybirds! There was a cafe at the start and a pub waiting for us at the end.

I’ll share more pictures on Facebook. Check link for route

Hatfield Forest Walk

Off message but on Sunday Gill and I went for a 6.8 mile circular walk around Hatfield Forest courticy of Ordnance Survey and Country walking magazine. Hatfield Forest is a marvellous ancient estate full of history and the National Trust look after it well but the noise from airplanes coming in and out Stansted Airport did spoil things a little. 

Maybe during the week it is quieter? Well worth a visit but not that peaceful. 

Description

The wealthy Houblon family, who helped found the Bank of England, bought the partly wooded acres of Hatfield Forest in the mid-eighteenth century. Lancelot 'Capability' Brown helped create a fashionable Georgian landscape with an artificial lake. Before that, Hatfield had been almost unchanged for six centuries since Henry I declared it a royal hunting forest in 1100. By Phoebe Taplin ROUTE Start/parking: Bury Lodge Lane bus stop/National Trust parking near point 5 or parking for café users at Thremhall Park near start, postcode CM22 6NB, grid ref TL534213 Is it for me? Forest can get muddy in winter. Short section between 3 and 4 can get overgrown. Good tracks and paths Stiles: 4 PLANNING Nearest town: Bishop's Stortford Refreshments: Hatfield Forest outdoor café (0344 249 1895) or coffee shop at Thremhall Park (01279 874503) Public toilets: Hatfield Forest near café (point 5) Public transport: Bus 508 (<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/">Arriva</a>) Bishop's Stortford to Stansted Airport (other buses include 42A, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.firstbus.co.uk/">First</a>) Maps: OS Explorer 183 &amp; 195; Landranger 167

 

Danbury, Essex Walk (OS via Country Walking magazine)

Off message but earlier this month Gill and I went for this nice little 7 mile walk in Danbury, Essex. Recommended. Need monthly subscription to Ordinance Survey but the number of free walks you can access means it is well worth it. 

“Ringed by woods and commons, the village of Danbury has spring bluebell carpets and blossoming orchards, historic parkland and gourmet pubs: everything you could need for a classic stroll in the country. By Phoebe Taplin Route Start/parking: Eve’s Corner, Danbury/bus stops and car parks nearby, postcode CM3 4QF, grid ref TL784051 Is it for me? Mostly good tracks, paths and lanes. Way-finding tricky in woods and on commons. Horses in field. Woods muddy in winter. Steepish ups and downs Stiles: 4 Planning Nearest town: Chelmsford Refreshments: Tea on the Green (01245 226616) and Baker’s Arms (01245 227300) at start/end. Other options near route Public toilets: Danbury Country Park Public transport: Bus 31/31B/31X (First) runs from Chelmsford to Eve’s Corner twice/hour (every two hours on Sunday) Maps: OS Explorer 183; Landranger 167”

Hatfield Heath, Essex Walk (& The Great British Bake Off )

For various reasons I haven't posted any walks lately. I know some say they enjoy my posts on walking more than the ones on politics or trade unions! To me, my walking or running (very slowly) in the countryside is my "hinterland". 

This walk last month was a delight. A bit overcast but quiet and peaceful. Started off with a coffee in local village cafe and a pint in a local pub at end.

I found this 5.9 mile circular walk in the Ordinance Survey website (subscription) and it was provided by Country Walking magazine (which also a subscription but is free for certain walks if you subscribe to OS but you only get very limited details - see below).

Description

Gently sloping fields, streamside paths and small woods make up the quintessentially English landscapes around Down Hall, the hotel where this year's The Great British Bake Off was filmed. The cross-country Stort Valley Way and Forest Way meet to form a circuit that passes Down Hall (where you could have a fancy tea on the terrace) and runs through the pretty village of Hatfield Heath with its bakery, pubs and cafés. By Phoebe Taplin ROUTE Start/parking: Holy Trinity church, Hatfield Heath/roadside parking, grid ref TL523150, CM22 7EU Is it for me? Easy country paths and tracks, but mud all year. Seriously muddy in winter. Steps can be slippy. Some road walking Stiles: 3 PLANNING Nearest town: Sawbridgeworth Refreshments: Two pubs, several cafés, takeaways, good bakery and shops in Hatfield Heath, including Tea on the Heath. Down Hall serves afternoon tea (01279 731441) Public toilets: In Marriage Feast Hall, Matching Public transport: Buses 5 from Bishops Stortford to Stansted Airport and 59 Harlow-Chelmsford stop hourly near start/end Maps: OS Explorer 183; Landranger 167

Blackmore, Essex - Walk Feb 23

Gill and I went on another Big Essex Skies and Sunshine walk today, starting and finishing in Blackmore. This was a "moderate" 7.41 mile walk only 35 minutes by car from East London (public transport not great but possible). Considerate parking on street available. 

We started off with a coffee and tea outdoors at the Blackmore Tea Rooms (I "had to" have a hot sausage roll as well). This cafe was full of brightly clad cyclists also enjoying a drink or bite to eat.

Blackmore and the surrounding villages, hamlets and cottages are simply lovely, with lots of ancient duck ponds, green lanes, footpaths, forests and heathland. 

There is even a pub, The Cricketer" run by "Gray and Sons" breweries (no known relative unfortunately).

The birdsong was marvellous and we heard at least 3 different woodpeckers. Lots of signs of spring. 

There was some noise from local non commercial planes but nothing major. We saw 3 road motorbikes riding along a public footpath, but they were travelling quite slow. I took a picture but the number plates are not clear, so I have not been able to report to Police/Council. 

There was an unusual warning notice in a wood "Caution Archery practice in progress" but we could see no such activity at this time. 

Apart from the marvellous spring like weather, the walk had lots of variety, walking through fields, Common land, forests and villages. A little bit of up and down but this is Essex. 

I finished off with a pint of Doombar in the "Prince Albert" (the only ale available at that time on tap)

I downloaded this walk via the Ordnance Survey site for free (a subscription service but definitely recommended and it originated from the Country Walking site).  We just used the app to navigate and for once did not get lost (apart from few "mishaps" which were easily corrected)

This post with further pictures and map will be on my personal Facebook page but also on https://www.facebook.com/walksinandaroundlondon/. This site has nearly all our walks listed. 

Nazeing Common walk

Off message but on Sunday Gill and I went for a 5 mile circular walk around Nazeing Common in Essex. Only 30 minutes drive from East London (not great for public transport), we have done several versions of this walk but this one was taken from the Ordnance Survey (OS) app supplied by Country Walking magazine (no route instructions, map only).

It was quite a dull and cold day but it was great to get out of London, stretch your legs and fill your lungs with fresh country air. An easy walk with a little bit of up and down to get your pulse working. Highlights of walk was coming across a herd of deer in a wood, who ran off but remained within sight while we had hot drinks and snacks. 

Near the marvellously named "Bumbles Green", we were amazed at spotting tractors hauling trailers full of parents and and small kids to go and pick, then get chopped down, Christmas Trees. On the trailers, they all had to sit on bales of hay, which looked most unsafe but must have been great fun for the kids.

As normal, we saw very few other people apart from the Crimbo tree brigade and the occasional dog walker. Walking through Nazeing golf club was a little dodgy since the path was not clear but the golfers were patient with us. 

Didn't go for beer at end of walk since we had get to supermarket to pick up a decent Sunday Roast (Forerib) before it closed. 

Check out other pictures of walk (not that exciting since overcast) on Facebook here