Hertfordshire

For many people Hertfordshire is just a place on the way to or from somewhere else. Ever since the Romans built Ermine Street this has been the case, with over enthusiastic modern road builders following the trend. But creating fast passage through the county has left many quiet backwaters where attractive villages and a charming rural landscape have survived.

In fact the countryside of Hertfordshire is both varied and beautiful and a delight to explore on foot. It ranges from green hills and river valleys to wooded parkland, country estates, peaceful farms and villages.The village of Westmill is perhaps the best example of this rural English idyll, but there are many others that can be included in enjoyable walks including Essendon, Braughing, Much Hadham and Therfield. Most of these secluded havens are included in the guide below. Ashridge Estate (NT) near Berkhamstead on the Chilterns Ridge also provides lovely walking through woodland and chalk downland.

Long Distance Paths Traversing Hertfordshire
Grand Union Canal Walk; Icknield Way; The Lea Valley Walk; Ridgeway National Trail

	Guide Book: [For further information or to purchase]
	50 Walks in Hertfordshire by: Martin Andrew. 50 themed walks of between 2 and 10 miles, each with fascinating background reading and detailed sketch maps, for every walk. The walk locations include: Therfield and Kelshall; Buntingford and Wyddial; Great Hormead and Anstey; Bishop's Stortford; Much Hadham; Little Hadham; Standon and Braughing; Sawbridgeworth; Ashwell; Baldock; Deacon Hill from Pirton; Wallington; Preston and Ley Green; Tewin and Bramfield; Ardeley and the Beane Valley; Knebworth; Hunsdon; Thundridge; Hertford; Ware; Mymms Park; Little Berkhamstead; Hertford Heath and Great Amwell; Cheshunt; Aldenham; Wheathampstead; Ayot St Lawrence; Welwyn Garden City; St Albans; Rickmansworth; Sarratt; Harpenden; Redbourne; Kings Langley; Markyate; Great Gaddesden; Ashridge Park; Berkhampsted; Tring; Long Marston; Aldbury; Marsworth.
	Hertfordshire Rambles by: Liz Moynihan. 14 routes each chosen because it has a particular point of interest, such as the walk through the grounds of Knebworth House. Others include Aldbury in the Chiltern Hills, Ashwell near the Icknield Way, the Mimram Valley at Hertingfordbury and the tranquil watermeadows and woods of Ayot St Lawrence. The walk locations are: St Albans, Verulamium and Gorhambury; Sarratt; Aldbury and Ashridge; Ayot St Lawrence; Knebworth Park and Graffridge Wood; St Paul's Walden and Whitwell; Hexton and Lilley Hoo; Ashwell; Newsells and Cockenach; Buntingford, Aspenden and Throcking; Benington and Ardeley; Much Hadham and Widford; Hertingfordbury and Panshanger; Essendon and Little Berkhamsted.
	Pub Walks in Hertfordshire by: Alan Charles. 30 walks from 3 to 5 miles. Explore the picturesque villages of Barley, Therfield and Ashwell; the delightful river meadows around Green Tye; and the inland lakes of Colney Heath with their wealth of birdlife. Or discover the delights of historic Berkhamsted and relax at a canalside pub. The walk locations are: Rickmansworth; Chandler's Cross; Commonwood; Aldenham; Shenley; Colney Heath; Bedmond; Berkhampsted; Wilstone; Flamstead; Redbourn; Coleman Green; Essendon West End; Bayford; Wormley West End; Burnham Green; Stapleford; Wareside; Green Tye; Whitwell; Benington; Great Offley; Pirton; Weston; Buntingford; Gravesend; Ashwell; Therfield; Barkway; Barley.
	Village Walks in Hertfordshire by: Liz Moynihan. 20 walks from 3 to 6.5 miles, some with shorter alternatives. There is also a seperate section about other places to visit nearby like the nature reserves run by the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust - Therfield Heath, Telegraph Hill, Fir and Pond Woods, and Patmore Heath; the gardens of St Paul's Walden Bury, the late Queen Mother's family home and the Henry Moore Foundation at Perry Green where some of the great sculptor's works can be seen. The walk locations are: Ashwell; Therfield; Anstey; Cottered; Westmill; Pirton; Charlton; King's Walden; Benington; Braughing; Ayot St Lawrence; Bramfield; Much Hadham; Aldbury; Sandridge; Great Amwell; Bayford; Northaw; Chipperfield; Sarratt.
	100 Walks in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire compiled by Geoff Spreckley. This guide contains approximately 30 circular walks in Hertfordshire, the rest being in nearby Buckinghamshire. The routes vary in length from 1.5 to 8 miles and covering the whole county, including the best walking areas. It is ideal for family outings, as a reference for residents, and for visitors to Hertfordshire. Maps and route descriptions are on facing pages for ease of use, and points of interest, places to eat and drink and where to park are included. Locations include Much Hadham, Essendon, Great Offley, Sarratt, Stapelford and many others.