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.
Join us in Hitchin for a short evening walk and refreshments from the popular ‘Street Food Monthly’ event at the riverside.
Starting by the River Hiz opposite St Mary's Church, we’ll head northwest out of town to Oughtonhead Common, a Green Flag award-winning local nature reserve. We’ll walk across the common, where we might see longhorn cattle grazing on the scrubby grassland, then we’ll follow the clear waters of the River Oughton past dense reed beds and along tree-lined paths. At the pond called ‘The Chalky’ we’ll turn away from the stream and cut through farmland to a small spinney of beech trees, then walk alongside the fields and uphill to the edge of town.
Returning via quiet lanes, paths and alleyways, we should get back to the riverside market shortly after 8pm, in time to get some food or a drink before the street food event finishes at around 9.
There’ll be food from a variety of vendors, with all dietary needs catered for (meat, veggie, vegan & gluten free options) and music from local DJs. Search ‘Street Food Monthly’ on Facebook to find the line-up.
If you’re staying to eat, you might wish to bring a sitmat or similar and a jacket in case it gets cold after the sun goes down.
Dogs are welcome, on a short lead.
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
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.
If you have any questions or need to contact the leader about the walk, please post on the Meetup event page.
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 snacks and drinks, appropriate clothing for the conditions and optionally a basic first aid kit & hand sanitiser.
For more information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
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.
St Mary's Square Car Park, Queen Street, Hitchin SG4 9TN. Free parking after 6pm / 15 mins' walk from Hitchin Railway Station. Meet in the northwest corner of the car park near the steps to Churchyard Walk, overlooking Portmill Car Park (w3w///grant.item.closed).
