19.9km (12.4 miles) 4/10
I was going to post this walk in snowdrop season but got put off by the weather, so let's do it now. Knebworth Hall and park are interesting and you may hear reminiscences from any rock fans in the group. There may also be deer.
Travel: 1006 from Kings Cross (Finsbury Park 1012) arriving at Knebworth 1046. Return trains at 12 and 42.
Lunch: Emily's tea shop (tel 01438 871929) is the best option in Whitwell – the Bull pub is closed. For a pub lunch you could try the Strathmore Arms in St Paul's Walden just before you get to Whitwell, although the food offer looks basic. The main walk webpage has suggestions for later stopping places.
Tea: various recommendations in Knebworth on the walk webpage. I seem to remember the Station pub is a good as well as convenient end point.
L=swc.353
2 comments:
#11 assembled at the station and followed the main walk but bypassed St Paul’s Walden to head straight for lunch at Whitwell. A large herd of deer were spotted in the park and bluebells in the woods were already half out and showing a good early display. The wood anemones were shivering a bit in the cold. We had all types of weather, sun, cloud, wind, hail, rain, sleet, mini hurricane at one point, but generally #sunny-and-cold, better than forecast. Most picnicked in what I am told was an idyllic spot by the river near a bridge, then retreated to Emily’s for tea and possibly cakes. One lunched in the recently reopened Bull in Whitwell with 3 others having drinks there. One of our number rang ahead and was informed the pub had just reopened in the last few days and was serving food till 1.45. The food was tasty and homemade with a good selection including jacket potatoes, numerous varieties of burgers, pies and pub classics with a twist. I was in the advance party of 4, 3 of whom had drinks in the Station pub before catching the 4.12. Two got a bus from Whitwell. My correspondents tell me that the remainder of the party, having stayed quite a while at Emily’s, were heading for the pub as we departed. The pub does a good value pot of tea and cake for £5. I didn’t sample the cake so can’t report as to quality, but there was a choice of chololate cake or flapjack. Sadly the train journey back was deemed too short to be worthy of supplies.
Thanks for your report Angela and good news about the Bull - it didn’t look too promising when H researched the walk, having opened and closed a couple of times in recent years
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