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 18 of an epic long-distance trail around Hertfordshire!
The Hertfordshire Way is a 200-mile route around the county, which we're walking in sections each month. Don’t worry if you’ve missed previous parts of the series - everyone is welcome to join any of these walks.
Please note this is a linear walk from Bishop’s Stortford to Buntingford. There is a bus service which links the start and end points. Drivers can park at the start or end, and take the bus either before or after the walk as needed (to avoid waiting after the walk, we recommend parking at the end point). You may also arrange to car share between the start and end if you prefer.
This section of the trail is mostly through quiet and gently rolling arable farmland, punctuated occasionally by various hamlets, grand halls and ancient churches.
We’ll start from the edge of Bishop’s Stortford outside Tesco, but with nearly 13 miles to cover we won’t have time for shopping! After just a few minutes (and a careful road crossing) we’ll find ourselves in the countryside and make our way along field-edge footpaths through the parish of Little Hadham. At Church End we can take a morning break and a brief look inside the little St Cecilia's Church.
We then come to the Hadham Hall estate, dating back to the 11th century. Now a residential development, we’ll walk through the archway of the 15th/16th-century gatehouse and have a glimpse of the part-Elizabethan hall.
We’ll enjoy a wide-ranging view towards Albury as we continue northwards. The path falls and rises before reaching Patmore Heath, a grassland nature reserve where we’ll stop for our packed lunch. Afterwards we can have a quick drink at The Catherine Wheel pub.
Next, the route zigzags west and north, dipping into the Ash valley and out again, passing alongside and through vast fields, by a few farmhouses and country homes, and past some small woods. Approaching Mutfords Farm we’ll see a house used in the film of The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as Arthur Dent’s ill-fated home. We’ll then walk up to the tiny and redundant church at Little Hormead, where we can go into the porch and spot some graffiti from a few hundred years ago.
At nearby Hare Street we’ll leave the Hertfordshire Way for today and take the Greenwich Meridian Trail past Alswick Hall. We’ll pass through fields where we might see sheep before finally coming into Buntingford via a wildlife area and recreation ground.
We’ll aim to be in Buntingford in time for the 16.52 bus 37 for anyone heading home to Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth or Baldock. This leaves from outside The Crown, where depending on time there’s the option of a post-walk drink. For anyone needing to get back to Bishop’s Stortford, bus 36 leaves at 18.07 from opposite the war memorial near the pub.
N.B. this is a lengthy walk with little shade, so if it’s hot please bring plenty of water, sun cream and a hat. Please also bring something to sit on at lunch, e.g. a sitmat.
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: 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 linear 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.
Meet 09.50 at the bus stop opposite the war memorial near The Crown Inn, 17 High St, Buntingford SG9 9AB, to take Central Connect bus 36 at 10.07 to Bishop's Stortford Tesco. Free parking 5 minutes’ walk away at High Street Car Park, entrance on Bowling Green Lane, Buntingford, SG9 9DF. Also accessible by Richmonds bus 18 from Royston and by Central Connect bus 37 from Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock, which becomes bus 36 on reaching Buntingford (if travelling on bus 37, buy a £3 single fare to Bishop’s Stortford and stay on the bus at Buntingford).
Bishop's Stortford Tesco, Bishops Park Centre, Lancaster Way, Bishop's Stortford CM23 4DD. Meet opposite the bus stop, around the corner from the cafe, between the cycle rack and InPost lockers (what3words///notes.panic.ropes). Drivers wishing to park at Tesco can pay for all-day parking using JustPark or APCOA Connect apps, then return from the end point via Central Connect bus 36 at 18.07 from opposite The Crown Inn, Buntingford (24 minute journey). Parking may also be available free on Dukes Ride nearby but please park with consideration for residents. However, to avoid waiting after the walk we recommend parking at the end point then travelling to the start point by bus - see meeting point details for information.
Buntingford, Hertfordshire
