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 20 people, including the leader.
A rural walk with a mixture of open fields and woodlands through Brookmans Park and Gobions Wood Nature Reserve, including a visit to Boltons Park Farm for Open Farm Sunday.
From Brookmans Park station we will follow the footpath alongside the railway line, passing the grounds of the UK’s largest vet school, the Royal Veterinary College. The campus is home to the Queen Mother Hospital, the largest small animal hospital in Europe, along with their Equine Hospital. The route will then take us through the former Potters Bar Golf Course, which has been returned to nature, and across wide open fields that are home to various livestock.
After approximately 2 miles, we will make a detour to visit Boltons Park Farm Open Day for around an hour. This will provide time for a lunch stop and an opportunity to browse the local produce, meet the farm animals and learn about the activities on the working farm, where RVC students receive onsite training.
After our farm visit, we will continue the walk into Gobions Wood Nature Reserve, passing the historic Folly Arch along the way. The scenic ancient woodland is home to plenty of birdlife and various fungi. Before leaving the nature reserve we will pass Gobions Pond, a private picturesque fishing lake that is home to pretty water lilies and wildlife.
Finally, the route will lead us back into Brookmans Park village, finishing with an optional drink at Brookmans Pub a few minutes’ walk from the station.
For further information regarding the farm open day, please visit the Boltons Park Farm website: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/about/our-campuses/boltons-park-farm/open-farm-sunday (N.B. Stag Walkers will reserve places at the open day for our group)
Although there will be refreshments available at the farm, we recommend bringing a packed lunch.
Unfortunately, dogs cannot attend this walk due to the farm open day visit.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a circular walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for 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 purchase membership. 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.
Brookmans Park Railway Station Car Park, Station Close, Brookmans Park, Hatfield AL9 7SS. Parking £3.30 at the station car park or free parking around Brookmans Park village (parking restrictions are lifted on a Sunday in most areas, but please be mindful of residents when parking round the village green or in residential streets).
