After becoming Caretaker Co-Ordinator in 2009, a re-branding of GOC in 2016 triggered the . We have got to know our local area pretty well over the last year, trying out new family-friendly walks in Hertfordshire, and have discovered some real gems. If youre looking for circular pub walks in Hertfordshire, park at the Wicked Lady and have a circular walk around Nomansland Common before or after a lovely lunch. Refreshments: Rose & Crown, Essendon Five Horseshoes, Little Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, Flamstead2.75 milesThis is a nice and simple family-friendly short pub walk in the countryside to the south of Flamstead. Our boys enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities for kids like making dens, crafting tools and climbing trees. The extra distance takes you over a bridge into another section of woodland where you'll embark on a loop that visits the Beech Hill lake and strolls through some more open woodland. The trail has a firm surfaceand is suitable for young families with buggies, wheelchairusers and those less mobile." Self-guided walk and cycle route leaflets, following way-marked paths. Selaa automaattisen tydennyksen ehdotuksia yl- ja alanuolilla ja valitse Enter-nppimell. It then heads west through more nice open countryside until you reach a fantastic county pub for some well-earned refreshments about two thirds of the way around the route. Refreshments: The Hollybush, Redbourn The Cricketers, Redbourn, Hertfordshire, Redbourn5.75 milesThis third route is a completely different type of walk to the others and it instead heads out to the north of Redbourn. We love Hartham Common in Hertford. Subscribe to receive our latest blog posts, Heartwood Forest a new woodland in Hertfordshire, Mardley Heath our favourite Hertfordshire walk, Bramfield Woods peaceful woodland walks in Hertfordshire, Broxbourne National Nature Reserve and sculpture trail, Lee Valley sculpture trail a great Hertfordshire walk on the edge of London, Waterford Heath river, woodland and heath circular walk in Hertfordshire, Hertford to Ware riverside walk in Hertfordshire, Watton at Stone village walk in Hertfordshire, Berkhamsted: castle and canal walk in Hertfordshire, Panshanger Park a beautiful parkland walk in Hertfordshire, Disused railway line walks in Hertfordshire, Useful resources for walks in Hertfordshire, Broxbourne Woods Sculpture Trail in Hertfordshire, Free things to do in Hertfordshire with , Just off the motorway: family-friendly places to , Where to park: use postcode AL4 9DQ for the dedicated car park (no charge), Length of walk: various, including the 1.5 mile Magical Meander for children, Refreshments: there are pubs in the nearby village of Sandridge, 2 miles away, Toilets: no, nearest are in Sandridge village, Where to park: the free car park is on Heath Road, postcode AL6 0TP, Length of walk: various, its around a kilometre from the car park to the monster tree (see link below for more info), Refreshments: no (we recommend the brilliant caf at the. After 10 years working in the travel industry selling and marketing holidays across the globe, I decided to set up the Smudged Postcard blog to share my knowledge of family travel. Also see if you can spot frog spawn. Sawtrees Woods1.5 milesThis is a simple family-friendly circular stroll in the Sawtrees Woods. It's more of an exercise option really as it takes you on a long walk through sweeping open countryside that descends down a long hill towards Welwyn-Garden-City. There are several play areas along the route as well as a sculpture trail. Facilities include car parking, picnic tables, a duck pond, toilets, an easy access pathway and play equipment" - from theBorough of Broxbourne Council website, Berkhamsted Waterways Walk - "Three circular walks from 2 to 6 miles including an easy access route. Parking - 10 per car. It should be fairly easy to plot using the Ordnance survey website or equivalent map. Upper Lea Valley walk starts near the Luton Airport Parkway by the A1081 and stretches for about 5 miles to Wheathampstead. Length: approx 3.5kmFeatures: beautiful spring flowers, far reaching views over the countryside, woodland to explore.Terrain: aside from a slightly muddy area (which I managed to get my buggy through) youll be walking mostly on farm tracks and quiet lanes.Refreshments: The Bull in Watton is family friendly, theres a good sized garden with a small play area and they do a decent Sunday roast. Heartwood Forest is a beautiful spot to catch a sunrise. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); This first route option is the recommended 'Commons Walk' around the pretty Oughtonhead Common. The Nickey Line from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead (not that we have managed to walk that far with the kids yet) is one of the best footpath walks in Hertfordshire. The Heath at Ascot Racecourse is a flat walk with a coffee stop and fantastic views of the racecourse and Grandstand. You'll also pass three local pubs on this short journey, so there are plenty of options for refreshments. As soon as you leave the village the walk starts heading on a long downhill walk towards Royston and you'll enjoy wonderful sweeping views as you walk. Access The Outdoor Guide aims to make the outdoors inclusive for all. You would need to park in one of the nearby residential streets. There are two waymarked trails through the reserve one is a mile-long bluebell walk which is very popular in the springtime. However, this route option also then takes you on a long walking loop around the outside of the wonderful Lavender farm, climbing up the hill towards Letchworth for some lovely views before bringing you back down along the Icknield Way trail. There isn't a pub on this route, but there are some eateries on the Kings Langley High Street, where we also have some additional walks. Post code BD23 6AN. You'll then descend down Lilleyhoo Lane for a while, before then climbing back over the hill again as you loop around and back to the village. From there, a towpath follows the river through Kings Meads nature reserve, runs beneath the A10 flyover and on to Ware Lock next to the GSK offices. "Hardwick Park in County Durham is a Visit England accredited attraction and perfect for a stroll at any time of the year. 3-Aldenham Country Park. It is quite muddy around the farm at the moment so if you have a buggy youll need to lift it through that section. Although theres an endless supply of great places to walk in Hertfordshire, we often pop over the border when were in need of a steep hill to climb or a different landscape to explore. Kimpton2.25 milesThis is a nice short pub walk from the pretty village of Kimpton. The best spots for padding are in Harpenden at the Batfords Springs Nature Reserve and in Wheathampstead at the River Park. You'll also visit the pretty St Mark church at the start of the walk before you embark on your loop of walking around the woods. The beauty of this stroll is, if little walking legs get tired, or you don't think you'll manage the whole route, Bristol Ferries stop at several points around the . It's a great one for the kids as you'll first go on a little adventure up into the woodlands surrounding the reserve, before then descending down into the open heathland where you'll visit a large sculpture of what they will believe is a 'real Dinosaur' egg. We love discovering new walks in Hertfordshire and our growing community help us find the best walks so that we can research and share them in the app. Walk Length: 5.6km. You will enjoy some peaceful open countryside, a visit to the pretty church, a short walk through Westley wood and of course a stroll through the pretty village of Tewin where you'll find a nice pub for refreshments. Read our story on an award-winning Buggy Walk project which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary . The ultimate kite-flying destination, the skies around Dunstable Downs are always filled with colourful fluttering shapes whenever theres a hint of a breeze. Refreshments: The Chequers, Barley, Barley5.75 milesThis second option is a much longer adventure for those of you that want to really stretch your legs. Refreshments: The Old George, Ickleford The Plume of Feathers, Ickleford The Wilbury, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, Map image credit: OpenStreetMap contributorsContains OS data Crown copyright and database right 2021, If you would like to get in touch, please email, LocalWalks is a trading name of TinyRocket LtdRegistered in England and Wales: 10533034Registered offices: Hardwick House, Prospect Place, Swindon, SN1 3LJ, Aldenham Country Park Circular Walk and Map. If you fancy a whole day out, there is a 17 kilometre trail forming a figure of eight you can walk the whole lot or one loop. If you choose to cycle this route with children, Id recommend doing it from Welwyn to Hertford as its slightly downhill and you can really whizz along it the journey in reverse might be more of a struggle for little cyclists. There is a short section of walking along a road with no footpath on this route, so please be careful here. Copyright 2023 accessiblecountryside.org.uk. Cycling along flat, car free routes is perfect for building up stamina and confidence in young cyclists. It still enjoys the countryside, woodland and Newsells Park from the second route, but it also extends further south offering you a visit to the village of Barkway with it's pretty church and also a walk along a stretch of the Hertfordshire Way. Here you'll find cultural and adventure travel ideas including road trips, beach breaks and family-friendly accommodation. Toilet: Accessible toilets adjacent to the car park and in the visitor centre. The first of our routes is a very short stroll into the Beeches and around the golf course area of the woodlands. Discover the accessible route at Salcombe Hill. Jos kytt kosketusnytt, selaa koskettamalla tai pyyhkisemll. The are no facilities at Heartwood Forest, but if you are feeling peckish, there is a gorgeous little tearoom in Sandridge serving delicious, home cooked food and the BEST cakes. A buggy friendly route from Hertford, which was requested by a follower of Hertfordshire Walker on Twitter. Sometimes, the overflow section in a field is opened up but not always. It heads out west from Lilley, climbing Wardswood Lane and then the John Bunyan Trail before joining the Chiltern way to loop back to the start via Whitehill Farm and Lilleypark Wood. Verulamium park is close to St Albans and covers over 100 acres. Heartwood Forest is also great if youre looking for buggy friendly walks in Hertfordshire. Malahide-Portmarnock Coastal Walk. This is a a much longer trail than Broxbourne we cycled it on our visit. There is no parking available for the Nickey Line. One of the pockets of ancient woodland has an impressive display of bluebells and theres a great area for den building. Refreshments: The Star, Standon, Hertfordshire. The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve. After 10 years working in the travel industry selling and marketing holidays across the globe, I decided to set up the Smudged Postcard blog to share my knowledge of family travel. You'll then work your way back to Buntingford in a big loop through more beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. Langley5 milesThis fourth route option is basically an extended version of the third route. Where to park: use postcode HP4 1LT for the free car park, Length of walk: various waymarked trails from 1-8 miles, Length of walk: approximately 6 kilometres, Refreshments: Lots of options in Welwyn and Hertford, en route the. Let me know in the comments below. Standon1.75 milesThis first route is a lovely short family-friendly pub walk from the pretty village of Standon. After a short stroll through a residential area, you'll then embark on a nice countryside loop that crosses a pretty bridge over the River Mimram, and then climbs up a steep hill towards Harmer Green. Family walks make great family days out. This walk provides the ideal family walk through . This is our local railway route. Refreshments: The Fox & Duck, Buntingford The Black Bull, Buntingford The Jolly Sailors, Buntingford, Buntingford3.25 milesThis is another relatively short walk from the market town of Buntingford in Hertfordshire. It visits the small village of Green End before taking on a stroll along the Chain Walk. Goldsworth Park Lake, Woking. Accessible Walks. Refreshments: The Boot, Kimpton The Bright Star, Peter's Green, Kimpton9.5 milesThis final route option is basically a grand and epic adventure in the Hertfordshire countryside around the village of Kimpton. The woods are great for a wander if youre not ready to head back to the village yet. Refreshments: The Rose & Crown, Tewin, Tewin1.75 milesThe village of Tewin is spoilt for nice walks, and this second option is another short walk that explores the Hertfordshire countryside to the east of the village. Once back into the town, you'll head back to the start on a path alongside the River Rib and through the high street where you'll find some nice pubs for refreshments. Our buggy is good off road but will only got through the larger round kissing gates (not the old wood type). There are trees to climb, dens to build and its great to explore by bike. This option heads in the opposite direction from the first two routes, taking you on a long adventure to the north of the village. Despite being close to London, there are plenty of beautiful rural spots in Hertfordshire. If you click on one and buy something, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you. Hertfordshire is a beautiful county that offers some of the most fascinating and picturesque walks in the country, from the rolling Chiltern Hills in the West, to the peaceful rural countryside in the north and the great woodlands and canals throughout. Langley2.25 milesWhile our longer walks from this location are more exciting and varied, this is still a nice option as a short open countryside stroll with some nice views as you walk down the hill towards the small village of Langley. It's a lot of exercise, but you'll have some nice views and there is a lovely pub at the end of the walk for a post-exercise reward. Very popular for families to picnic and barbecue, or quiet woodland walks for Dad to leave the kids and wander and. RSPB Fairburn Ings is a nice day out for kids and a pram-friendly walk. There are a couple of free car parks at Broxbourne Woods. Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of Hertfordshire. There is a lovely storyboard telling the story of Heartwood Forest which you should try to read before you start out on your walk if you can. In summertime the hedgerows are filled with wildflowers and its a joy to wander along here in the sunshine. We havent been after dark but apparently you can see the eerie glow of glow worms which must be quite a sight! Its a popular place to walk where you can enjoy woodland paths, play areas and a relaxing stroll along the canal. from the Discover Hertford Online website- Download the Trail Map from the Discover Hertford Online website, Ebury Way - "A 3.5 mile traffic-free route through lakes and fields, linking Rickmansworth and Watford; follows the route of an old railway line. The extra distance however, takes you on a long walk along the Back Lane Roman track and then loops around on the Chain walk route back towards Cottered. Paths linking the hides are generally flat with some grass areas, Some parts of the paths are narrow, but passing places are provided. You'll enjoy plenty of peaceful open countryside on this route, a stroll on a public footpath through the grounds of Blakesware Manor, and of course a visit to either of the lovely pubs in the village of Wareside itself. Wareside3.75 milesThis is a lovely circular and relatively flat ramble in the countryside to the north east of the village of Wareside. A Chess Valley walk from the Cricketers pub in Sarratt, Hertfordshire. You don't even need a map. Even though the village is deep in the Chiltern Hills, this route is relatively flat so it's a nice easy stroll to work up an appetite before visiting the village pub that's on the route. The walks cover most of the attractive countryside of the County including the Ashridge Estate near Tring and the areas that lie within the boundaries of the Chilterns AONB. The regional Cycle Route 12, known as the Tudor Trail, runs from Tonbridge Castle to Penshurst Place in Kent. Refreshments: The Wilbury, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, Wilbury Hill3.25 milesThis second route option is basically an extension to the first route that still enjoys the wonderful downhill walk past the Lavender Farm. Another great route linking two Hertfordshire towns, the Alban Way runs from St Albans to Hatfield. There is a short easy access trail leading directly from the car park. Otherwise it's another walk mainly consisting of arable farmland walking and as a bonus, you'll visit the impressive Cromer Windmill. It is characterised by steep chalk hills which offer fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and a great spot to observe Red Kites when you reach the top. Close to Royston but actually in Cambridgeshire, is another National Trust estate and this ones a biggie. It is one of the loveliest woodland walks in Hertfordshire with so much variety. Start : Dean Village. However, after that the walk gets more fun with a deep excursion into the Broxbourne Woods and then a nice undulating countryside walk back to Goffs Oak along the Hertfordshire Way. The walk is a simple loop with some open countryside, a bit of woodland walking, a visit to the pretty church at the start point and a nice pub for lunch towards the end of the walk. Also in the area is the Lee Valley Boat Centre where you can hire boats for the day or longer, Lee Valley Country Park and the Lee Valley White Water Centre. Refreshments: Rose & Crown, Essendon Five Horseshoes, Little Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, Essendon4.5 milesThis final route option is basically the first two routes merged to create a slightly longer adventure that enjoys more of the countryside beyond Essendon Golf course. If youre keen to combine a walk and a village pub lunch, I have put together an article on the best family friendly pubs in Hertfordshire. On the edge of the reserve is a brilliant sculpture trail with carved wood art works depicting elements from local history a Roman soldier, a herdsman, a majestic stag. If you are there in the Spring, there are some beautiful bluebell woods to wander through. Stapleford4 milesThis second route option is a longer circular route for those of you with a bit more time to explore this delightful area of Hertfordshire countryside. Refreshments: The Boot, Kimpton The Bull Inn, Whitwell, Kimpton6.25 milesThis fourth option heads out in a completely different direction to the other walks as it heads out West towards the small village of Peter's Green. Refreshments: Goffs Oak, Waltham Cross. Apart from lovely walks and good trees for climbing, theres play equipment, Go Ape and a good caf. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); If you have a walk or cycle route in Hertfordshire for families, please do get in touch Im always on the look out for new places to explore. Heartwood Forest is the largest continuous new native forest in England, covering 860 acres and containing over 600,000 newly planted trees. This great expanse of woodland, wetland and open fields offers something for everyone theres even a park run if you fancy a little challenge. There is a lovely woodland area but the big draw for the kids is watching the canal boats pass by. We have . There is also Bencroft Wood East Car Park, White Stubbs Ln, Broxbourne EN10 7QP. Refreshments: White Horse, Burnham Green, Hertfordshire, Essendon3 milesThis first walk is a nice short circular stroll on the public footpaths going around the Brickenden Golf course and the countryside beyond. Do you have any favourite walks in Hertfordshire? If you are looking for safe cycle routes for kids in Hertfordshire, this is an excellent choice. There are picnic areas around the hill and a car park which is open from 6 am to 10 pm. Thanks for sharing! It enjoys a lot of the main areas, villages and features that you'll find in the previous routes, but all in one long circular walk. Ashridge. Waterside Stortford winds gently through the valley of a chalk stream and the canal scenes of the Stort Navigation." You'll of course stroll through the pretty woods themselves to start, but after that you'll embark on a longer circular walk taking in the Harcamlow way with it's nice views, a visit to the remains of the Thunderidge old church and a stroll alongside the River Rib. "Mobility scooter - available for hire, free of change, bookable in advance. The tree sits on top of a slope and has exposed roots creating a magnificent natural climbing frame you can clamber over the roots or hide in the cave-like space beneath them. However, this option extends that route and also heads further to the north to follow the footpath through the gorgeous Woodhall Park where the Heath Mount School is located, and then heads back to join the second route along a quiet country lane. It's mainly made up of some walking around arable farmland and stretch of walking along a tree-lined path. This can get very busy and at times it is difficult to get in and out due to the narrow road leading into the car park where passing is tricky. There are many walks that we love in and around Hertfordshire, but here are a selection of our favourites in no particular order. Theres a dedicated cycle trail which weve yet to try but we loved the walk across the fields to the ruined folly a great spot for kids to explore and let their imaginations run wild. There are plenty of narrow boats to admire along the canal we love imagining what life would be like living in one of these slim line homes. The first half of the walk is a lovely peaceful walk through sweeping open countryside, and the second half is a nice stroll along a track that passes through the Park Woodlands. The 8.6 km walk includes Woldingham School, Godstone Vineyards, sections of the North Downs Way trail and the Great Church Wood nature reserve. Refreshments: The Crooked Billet, Colney Heath, Colney Heath3.75 milesThis longest route from Colney Heath is basically a further extension to the second route. Flashpacking Family is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Buggy friendly: yes; Sculpture trail walks in Hertfordshire Broxbourne National Nature Reserve and sculpture trail . There are facilities at Ashridge Estate including a caf and toilets. It's a nice short stroll with sections of pretty open grassland teeming with wildlife and a section of walking alongside the River Oughton. Wilbury Hill1.75 milesThis is a lovely short family-friendly pub walk from the Wilbury Hill car park. Ickleford1.5 milesThis first option is a nice short and simple pub walk in the Hertfordshire countryside around the village of Ickleford.