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.
If you enjoy long walks up and down hill and like to visit pubs, this is the route for you! Today we’ll explore the rolling countryside of the north-east Chilterns and call at three village pubs all named The Red Lion.
Beginning in Great Offley (halfway between Luton and Hitchin), we’ll head through fields where we may encounter sheep with lambs then downhill to Lilley Bottom. After a steep climb back out of the valley, we’ll hope to be rewarded with the sight of bluebells in the woods before reaching our first refreshment stop at Breachwood Green. Here we can have an early lunch break at the recreation ground and a drink at our first Red Lion of the day.
Next we’ll pass further bluebell woods and dip back into Lilley Bottom before ascending to King’s Walden, where we’ll walk through a former deer park dotted with ancient oaks. We then cross Frogmore Bottom on our way to Preston. In this pretty village we can have a snack on the green and a drink at our second Red Lion - which back in 1982 became Britain’s first community-owned pub.
Finally, our route takes us through pasture and arable fields and along old byways back to our starting point, where we have the option of another drink to finish at Red Lion #3, a traditional free house in Great Offley.
N.B. the walk is accessible by bus from Stevenage, Hitchin and Luton with the bus stop less than 10 minutes walk from our start point.
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: 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
Use our Meetup group to book your place on the walk: https://www.meetup.com/StagWalkers/
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.
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, appropriate clothing for the conditions and optionally a basic first aid kit.
Please follow NHS guidelines and do not attend the walk if you are unwell.
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 on the verge near St Mary Magdalene's Church, 6 Kings Walden Rd, Great Offley SG5 3DX. Park considerately on Kings Walden Road or nearby streets, or take bus 101 from Hitchin, Stevenage or Luton and alight by former Post Office (see https://www.traveline.info/ for details).
