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.
Join us for a short evening walk through town and countryside, combined with a social event at the Hitchin Beer & Cider Festival.
After meeting at Hitchin Station, we’ll spend the first part of the walk travelling through Hitchin, taking in the views at the top of Windmill Hill and passing by the medieval St Mary's Church. From there we'll head out of town and towards the picturesque Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve, where we'll walk across the grazing common and can to catch a glimpse of some very robust Longhorn cattle. We’ll then follow the chalk stream River Oughton to the eastern end of the nature reserve. Re-entering Hitchin, we’ll soon reach the Rugby Club where the Beer & Cider Festival takes place, a little under four miles into our walk.
Drinks and food will be available at the festival, with a walk of around a mile back to the station (passing through the local park Ransom's Rec) once our thirst and appetites have been sated.
If you would like to attend the walk but don’t wish to stay for the Festival, you are welcome to join us for the first part of the evening then make your own way to the station from the Rugby Club (directions can be given if needed).
About the Festival: Organised by North Herts CAMRA and Hitchin Rugby Club, Hitchin Beer & Cider Festival offers around 200 real ales, ciders, perries and meads, plus food from a variety of vendors. Drinks can be enjoyed in the marquee or on the field. We recommend buying advance tickets from the Hitchin Beer & Cider Festival website. Thursday General Admission tickets are £18.00 in advance including £4 admission charge, £10 of drinks tokens and £4 for a refundable Festival glass. Non-drinkers are welcome and do not have to pay to enter – but will not be able to purchase items at the bars (including non-alcoholic beers).
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, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and 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.
Hitchin Railway Station, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9UL. Meet at the Meeting Point between the ticket office and the car park (to your left if exiting the station). Parking £3.40 payable by APCOA Connect App or alternatively there is free parking after 6pm around 10 mins walk away at Queen Mother Theatre car park, Woodside, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP.
