Length: 9.5 miles (15.3 km) 2/10
Because of the ASLEF strike, the options for today are even more limited than I expected, but trains out of Euston seem to be OK so how about this walk which has only had one full outing. It heads east and south from Berkhamsted so does not overlap with other walks in the area, except for the initial canal section. It is described as a potentially good winter choice, had positive feedback when it was tried out, and there are good refreshment options in Berkhamsted. The walk originally posted for today will be attempted early in the new year.
Travel: 1009 from Euston, arriving Berkhamsted at 1046. 4 return trains an hour at approx 20, 28, 50 and 58.
Lunch: The suggested lunch stop, reached after 9.4 kilometres (not on the biggest short cut, see below) is The Golden Eagle, Ashley Green. (01442) 866422. A 16th century building, formerly the village blacksmith’s house and forge.
Tea: Berkhamsted High Street has various refreshment options, all about 400 metres from the end of the walk with short detours. Alternatively, you could return to the canal where there are several attractive hostelries. The choice is listed on the main walk page – see under “lunch” for the canal-side options.
Shortening the walk: a couple of possible shortcuts are described on the walk directions and GPX; note that the first and longer one misses out the lunch stop.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here
T=swc.397
4 comments:
I was wondering whether there was a Wednesday walk Christmas lunch on a Wednesday walk planned.
16 were on the slightly delayed train from Euston, to find the walk author patiently waiting for us after coming on the southbound train. One was on the next train and easily caught us up as it was held up less, so #18 on a day of mostly #bright-low-sun, clouding over as dusk approached.
The first part of the route worked well in December but we encountered an unspeakable quagmire near Sale's Farm. Most got past it by clinging on to a barbed-wire festooned fence - not ideal - but one with the gumption to look at his map and found there was a lane running parallel to the field a couple of minutes further on: perhaps a better option for this route in winter. There was a bit more slithering before we reached Ashley Green at around 1.30. I think two had taken the shortcut and of the rest of us, about half tried the pub. It would be good to hear a report from someone who went in.
The other half picknicked in various shelters on the village green and pressed on through the pleasant woodland with mostly good paths and across the Christmas tree farm to the main road and the descent into Berkhamsted.
I had to catch an early train because of the strike so decided not to join some others who repaired to the furthest away canal-side pub; some of us grabbed tea and biscuits at the wine shop in the station before getting the 1550.
I think most of use found the pub's 'new menu' to be inferior to the old one. We were the only people there (from 1.35 to 2.40). Mainly a choice between very fancy rolls, hot pots and 3 course meals.
Sadly I have to agree with Mike that the lunch pub food offering was only a choice of a roll for £8 or one hotpot at £16 or a selection of cold starters. The new young owner who professes to be a chef has grandiose plans for bar b Qs in the garden next year but refuses to offer any pub lunch meals, the 3 course menu only on offer in the evening. Having been open for 6 weeks and not one other customer even for a drink all the time we spent there speaks volumes for the arrogance of attitude which I found condescending when I asked why there weren’t any pub meals on offer. I’m trying to be different he said.
It’s a lovely pub with beautiful decor but needs to stop trying to reinvent the wheel.
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