A village 'Open Day' in Hertfordshire

Baldock Circular
Length: 19.6km (12.2 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10

Last Sunday both SWC walks were south of London so, to redress the balance, both walks today go north to visit particular attractions available this weekend.

Each year in mid-May, the pretty village of Ashwell in north Hertfordshire holds an Open Day, called Ashwell At Home , offering walks and talks, arts and crafts, music and performance, and the opportunity to visit numerous private gardens or climb to the top of the church tower. Programmes cost £6 in advance or £7 on the day. The event raises funds for the local school, church and museum.

It has become an SWC tradition to do the Baldock Circular walk on this day to enable walkers to enjoy the attractions in Ashwell, where the lunch pubs are located. The walk itself is not tremendously exciting, being mainly through large arable fields, but the countryside is pleasant, and the attractions of Ashwell At Home make for an enjoyable day out. The walk can be shortened by 5km by returning from Ashwell & Morden station.

Trains: Due to engineering works, the journey incorporates a short bus ride, but this extends the journey time only slightly.

Take the 09:52 Letchworth Garden City train from King’s Cross (09:58 Finsbury Park), changing at Letchworth Garden City for a rail replacement bus to Baldock, arriving 10.47.

Buses back to Letchworth Garden City leave Baldock at xx:15 and xx:35 (total journey time to London 55 minutes). Buses leave Ashwell & Morden at xx:05 to connect with the same trains.

Buy a Super Off-Peak Day Return to Ashwell & Morden. This is the same fare as to Baldock, and gives you the option of returning from the local station if you decide to linger in Ashwell to enjoy the attractions there.

You will need to download the walk directions.

T=SWC.91