Length: 20km (12.4 miles). There is an option to shorten the walk by 3.3km to 16.7km.
Difficulty: 2 out of 10
This walk is in the rolling hills of rural Hertfordshire.
Trains: The 10.12 Stevenage train from Moorgate calls at Highbury and Islington (10.20), Finsbury Park (10.27) and several other north London stations reaching Watton-at-Stone at 11.10.
Return trains from Watton-at-Stone are at xx.07 and xx.37
Lunch: The walk details are in need of updating and some pub recommendations are out of date. The Boot pub in Dane End has closed so best bring a packed lunch for a picnic in the churchyard or you could try Shiphill Golf Club's restaurant ( see comment below). A later option is The Robin Hood pub Tonwell (14km into the walk on the longer route.)
Tea: The Bull 113 High St, Watton-at-Stone, SG14 3SB (01920 831032) may be the only option.
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8 comments:
Note the Boot is closed - plan food carefully!
It's possible the George and Dragon's is still running but their website is not responding and Greene King who own the pub are advertising for a new landlord. There are some recent trip advisor reviews but they are complaining about a parking scam so be wary about using their car park if driving to Watton.
In years gone by, Whitehill Golf Course happily served walk-ins in their restaurant. I remember at least twice having eaten there with a group. Might be worth calling them to check. Comes after 9.5 km: https://whitehillgolf.co.uk/restaurant-bar/
Train disruption. Advised to take train to Stevenage (expected Finsbury Park 10.54) and a train back from there to Watton
I was told nothing will be running beyond Alexanda Palace foe a few hours. I have given up.
I quit too, and went on a North London short walk instead.
8
After arriving at Moorgate and going up various lifts to find way out, met with another walker to find all trains delayed indefinitely. We proceeded to Old street, then King's Cross, got on packed train to Stevenage LNER train to Lincoln only to be cancelled. Proceeded to Finsbury park where we met four other swc members and one other who had been waiting at Highbury and Islington for an hour. One had had enough and went home whilst six proceeded to Tottenham Hale as it was decided to do Ware circular around 8 miles off the map.
Train was running on time and we arrived at Ware before midday.
Walk was excellent with good views. We walked on clearly marked tracks and paths also part of Harcamlow way. All 7 of us found a pleasant log to picnic for lunch. Afternoon was through Stansted Abbots and St Margaret's where one walker branched off to Rye house. We were now down to six so had a pleasant walk along the new river with plenty of ducks, coots, swans and other wildlife, then joined the Lee navigation canal along the Hertfordshire way back to Ware. All six then proceeded to a micro pub, very noisy inside, so we found a quieter table outside. We sampled various beers of different strengths. One left on the 1615 train whilst the other five spent another half hour before catching the 1645 to Tottenham Hale. Tickets were valid to Hereford east due to the overrunning engineering works and electrical supply failures.
A very good day out once we finally got out of London. Nice weather, no rain just cloudy and very good company as is always the case!!!
N=8 w=cloudy
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