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.
Hannah M
This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.
Join us for the third in a series of short walks along the HOOP! Today’s walk is also one in an occasional series of ‘Tearoom Treks’ with a chance to enjoy some tea and cake at The Garden Gate Tearoom.
Cash is recommended if you would like to buy refreshments at the Garden Gate, as they do not accept card payments.
This walk will cover the northwest of the HOOP (Hitchin Outer Orbital Path), a waymarked route around the edge of Hitchin and through the surrounding countryside, which has its 15th anniversary this year. For those who are new to country walking or might prefer short routes, we’ve split the HOOP into four leisurely walks of around 5 to 7 miles. Each of these walks starts near Hitchin town centre and includes a variety of green space around the town and nearby. The route is partly on surfaced paths and partly on rural tracks, including one or two gentle hills.
We’ll meet at the Queen Mother Theatre, heading north out of town towards Burymead Springs to join the River Hiz, where we begin our countryside ventures! We’ll trek alongside the river, where there’s a possibility of seeing some herons, including Little Egrets! We’ll then walk by the Hitchin flyover on a wide hedged track heading towards Ickleford, where we’ll meet the Icknield Way Path (thought to be the oldest road in Britain) and join the route of the HOOP.
We’ll continue on Icknield Way and Hambridge Way (another ancient track) where we’ll start to come out into open countryside, enjoying some great scenic views and an opportunity to stop for a refreshment. We’ll then turn towards Westmill Lane, where we’ll pass the site of a former working corn mill at Westmill Farm. Creation of the deep, straight mill stream by the River Oughton, which powered the mill, altered the course of the river! We’ll follow the river into Oughtonhead Common Local Nature Reserve, originally a medieval “Cow Common” where Hitchin “Commoners” grazed their cattle.
The nature reserve is home to many birds, including the ChiffChaff which is said to sing its name in early spring and can be heard marking its territory. The Great Spotted Woodpecker can often be seen at this reserve so keep your eyes and ears open on this route!
We'll have a short packed lunch stop in the reserve, then after soaking up some breathtaking nature in the common and woods, we’ll head to The Garden Gate Tearoom at Oughton Head Farm. This has been specially reserved for us to enjoy some hot beverages and cake to unwind before heading back to our starting point in town!
After the walk there will be an optional pub stop in Hitchin.
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.
Walk Leader: Hannah M
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.
Meet by Queen Mother Theatre, Woodside car park, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP. Free parking on Sundays. Accessible by public transport: start point is 10 minutes' walk from Hitchin railway station and close to Hitchin town centre. If coming by train, please note that there are rail replacement buses today, so please allow extra time for travel.
