11.6 miles, difficulty 4/10.
The big stars of this walk to Hitchin are the bluebells, first in Graffidge Wood and, later, Hitch and Wain woods. “Arguably the best bluebell walk in the SWC repertoire” said one admirer.
Trains: Get the 10:06 Cambridge train from Kings Cross Platform 10 (Finsbury Park 10:12) arriving Knebworth 10:46.
Return from Hitchin at xx:57 and xx:29. There's also a slower one at xx:34 Get a return to Hitchin.
Lunch: The recommended choice, after you’ve turned onto the Hitchin walk, is the community-owned, CAMRA-recognised, Red Lion in Preston 01462 459585. You should reach this about 1:30. Booking advised.
An earlier possibility would be a short diversion to the village of Whitwell, using the main (circular) directions (page 9), to find Emily's Teashop 01438 871928. (The Bull Inn there 01438 871513 also does food).
Tea: The directions recommend Halsey's Deli in Hitchin - Market Place, near St Mary's Church - open till 5.
If it's beer you're after, try the Half Moon, 57 Queen Street (01462 452 448), winner of several CAMRA awards .You'll find this on the right hand side where you would turn left into Bridge Street (para 25).
Walk Directions: here
If you prefer to use a printout, the pages needed are 6-9, then 21-25 At point 17 in the main walk, skip forward to page 21 to continue. t=swc.353.variant
2 comments:
I was in Graffidge Wood yesterday, Monday 20 April, and the bluebells were in full bloom - magnificent ! They appeared early this year, and they should be fine for your walk on Sunday, although they will be turning and on the wane soon after. The 'bells in the woods later in the walk - Reynolds, Pinhold, Hitch and Wain - tend to flower later so they should be at their very best for your enjoyment on Sunday. This is a fabulous walk at this time of year and full of variety - so it comes highly recommended !!
N=5 today. A w=gently-sunny day. The group soon divided into 1 fast (not seen again) 3 not quite so fast and the slow one at the back.
The bluebells in Graffidge Wood were as impressive as expected. Maybe teensy weensily past their best but still impressive. Impressive enough for Mr Tiger to declare them “OK”.
Ditto for the other woods, too numerous to mention.
The mid-fielders jockeyed fior position, just staying ahead of the back marker (yours truly).
On and on they raced, till eventually, the Red Lion was reached (why oh why can’t they move this pub nearer?) Here kindly benefactors fed Mr Tiger with strong cider and bits of chocolate. It was all drunk, as was he. The food looked posh. No chips, though.
Here’s a tip for you: never follow people who don’t know the way. You’ll probably end up on a diversion that involves climbing over a gate to get back on track. (Or in Mr Tiger’s case, rolling underneath). Luckily no cow poop.
Back in Hitchin, 2 dropped into the Half Moon. Not as great a choice as there used to be but they indulged anyway.
Big reunion at the station, then fast train back to London. A battle to get through the exodus of marathon runners waggling their medals.
Medals, eh? We just walked 11 miles, where’s our medals?
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