Wednesday Walk - Return of a Christmas tradition: Garston to St Albans

14 km (8.7 miles) 2/10

There's been a gap of several years since this walk was posted before Christmas and the last attempt was thwarted when heavy snow cancelled the trains (see picture). A recurrence of that seems unlikely. 

Despite the proximity of urban areas and the M25, some of the walk has a surprisingly wild feel and before the motorway, it must have seemed like untamed rainforest. Then at the end of the walk it's nice to visit St Alban's Cathedral where there is usually a Christmas market and possibly choral evensong at 5 pm.

There is mention in the walk notes of a flooded area between Park Street and St Albans, but I checked this recently after several days of rain and it was no wetter than the water meadow near Henley which we traversed without complaint last week. Be sure to wear waterproof footwear though!

Travel: You need to get to Watford Junction in time for the 1045 from Platform 11, getting to Garston at 1050. From Euston you could get 1009 arr 1029 or the quicker 1023 arr 1037. From Clapham Junction there's the 0939, arr 1021. The Lioness line also goes to Watford Junction e.g. from Harrow & Wealdstone 1015; it's pretty slow but may be useful for some north Londoners.

Return train from St Albans Abbey at 1607, 1651, 1736, 1822 or very frequent Thameslink trains from St Albans City which is about a mile further north. Buy two singles for the outward and return trains unless you are sure you are going back from St Albans Abbey, in which case get a return to there.

Lunch: See the walk notes. The main suggestion for a sit-down lunch is the Moor Mill Beefeater restaurant (bookable online with very competitive midweek prices) 01727 875 557; there are a couple of pubs further on in Park Street but they don't make good lunch options. There are scenic benches by some ponds between How Wood and Park Street which would be good for a picnic stop.

Tea: numerous options in St Albans but the walk notes suggest the Abbot's Kitchen in the cathedral, (open until 4-30), Abigails (tel: 01727-8560039), in the cathedral precincts (open until 5) and Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub (tel: 017227 869152), below the Cathedral.

Shortening the walk: the walk route passes close to the Watford-St Albans railway line near How Wood and Park Street stations so you could finish the walk at either of those. Trains only hourly through the day though.

L=1.7