We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and a bit beyond, offering guided hikes and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
Alastair M
This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.
This leisurely walk takes in parts of the River Lea, some pleasant villages and hamlets, parkland and woodland over gently undulating terrain and generally good paths.
We start near Wheathampstead village centre, setting off east into River Park and taking a shaded path along the north bank of the River Lea. Soon we turn north, crossing the Ayot Greenway (a walking and cycling path along a disused railway) to enter Lamer Park. The path leads through a mixture of woodland and pasture, past Lamerwood House, turning northwest towards Gustardwood Common (a designated County Wildlife Site). The common was formerly all woodland, but after historic clearance is now a mixture of woodland and heath.
We head through the woods of the common to its northern end, where there is open grass with large trees for our picnic lunch stop. The Cross Keys pub is here, so those who wish can visit the pub for a drink/snack and to use the facilities.
After lunch we head southwest through farmland to the hamlet of Mackerye End, dominated by Mackerye End House, a Grade I listed manor house. We continue south towards the River Lea, crossing it on Leasey Bridge. Paths across farmland then lead us back along the river valley to Wheathampstead, where those who wish can join us for a post walk drink at one of the village pubs.
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: Stone King LLP, Boundary House, 91 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HR.
East Lane Car Park, 13 East Ln, Wheathampstead, St Albans AL4 8BP (free parking). Accessible by public transport from Harpenden and St Albans via Red Rose bus 357 and from Hitchin via bus 304.
