Welcome to Capital Walkers, the friendly London Ramblers group for people aged 40+. We walk every weekend and usually at least once during the week.
Gill C.
Continuing our explorations around the village of Bayford, we leave the station and head North towards the outskirts of Hertford and castle grounds. This is a repeat walk, in part, of the one in December but with an extension to the castle and a different, longer finish.
We walk through fields and woodland, mainly on footpaths, and B.O.A.T.S and bridleways. There is some road walking, but on a decent pavement. Expect some mud.
We pass Hertford FC and Hertford railway viaduct before walking parallel to the Lea Valley Way. We pass through the delightful village of Little Berkhamsted with a history dating back to Saxon times. It was here that William the Conqueror accepted the surrender of the City of London. We return to Bayford from the North of the village passing by St Mary's Church, Grade 11 listed, constructed in the Victorian Gothic style. If time permits we may go inside; it's rather grand for a village church and contrasts with St Andrew's, the much older church in Little Berkhamsted, rebuilt in the same style.
Toilets: Please note there are no toilets at Bayford train station and never any on the train! You should be careful leaving the paths to take a comfort break as much land off the official path is private. The first public toilet opportunity will be approx. 90 minutes into the walk at the lunch stop.
Lunch: Early lunch in Hertford Castle Gardens. There is a pub and cafe but please bring a packed lunch.
Travel: Take the 09.46 from Moorgate to Bayford (end destination Stevenage); 09.54 Highbury & Islington; 10.00 Finsbury Park, arriving Bayford 10.33. Return trains, twice an hour: 20 and 50 minutes past the hour. Buy a return train ticket to Bayford (Crews Hill is zone 6).
Exit Point. You could leave the walk at lunch time to take a train from Hertford North, a 15 min walk from the castle grounds.
No booking required.
The finishing time is an estimate only and will depend on the size and pace of the group, weather conditions, terrain and the number of breaks needed/taken.
Bayford Railway Station Meet on the platform where we alight as there is little space outside the station.
