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.
Part 1 of an epic long-distance trail around Hertfordshire - join us for any of these! The Hertfordshire Way is a waymarked route of almost 200 miles which we’ll walk in sections.
Please note this is a linear walk from Hitchin to Whitwell - at the end point you can get a bus to the start. Drivers may wish to park at the end point.
The route is through countryside and villages and over a few hills, passing the sites of a Roman bathhouse and a Motte & Bailey castle, the ruins of a medieval chapel and the childhood home of the Queen Mother, with some great scenic views along the way.
We’ll begin our walk along the Hertfordshire Way from Stag Walkers’ central location of Hitchin. After heading out of town we’ll join the Way just outside Great Wymondley; at nearby Little Wymondley we’ll detour slightly from the waymarked trail, avoiding a busy road crossing by walking through Todds Green. We then head up and downhill around the Langley valley, pausing for a look at the Minsden Chapel ruins, then continue across fields towards St Paul’s Walden. Here we’ll walk through the churchyard and past the country house of St Paul’s Walden Bury, where we can look for early-flowering snowdrops.
The walk will finish in Whitwell, at the Recreation Ground car park or at the nearby bus stop for services back to Hitchin (Centrebus 315 departs at 14.48 or 304 at 15.13). Depending on time and preference there may be an optional visit at the end of the walk to Emily’s Tea Shop for hot drinks and cake or to the village pub, The Bull.
Hertfordshire Way #2 will take place on Saturday 3rd February (9.5 miles from Whitwell to Wheathampstead) with subsequent sections to follow on the first weekend each month.
Please bring a packed lunch, drinks and a sitmat, and wear walking boots: some paths are likely to be muddy.
Dogs are welcome, on a 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 linear 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 by clicking the ‘Attend’ button. If the walk is full, click ‘join waitlist’ and you will be added if a place becomes available.
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.
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.
Drivers may wish to park in Whitwell and take the bus to Hitchin first. Free parking at Whitwell Recreation Ground, Bradway, Whitwell, Herts SG4 8AP (accessed off Horn Hill; car park is on right off Bradway) then take Centrebus 304 from Horn Hill/St George’s Way at 09.18 to St Mary’s Square, Hitchin and walk 5 mins to Queen Mother Theatre where the walk leader will be waiting.
Meet by Queen Mother Theatre, Woodside car park, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP (parking £5.20). Accessible by public transport: start point is 10 minutes' walk from Hitchin railway station and close to Hitchin town centre.
Whitwell, Herts SG4 8AP. From here, those of us who need to can take the bus back (Centrebus 304 if returning to Hitchin).
