Walk 55: Ayot North-East Loop

3.2 miles (5.2km) with 65m total ascent

The footbridge over the River Mimram - Image by Gerry Gross

A pleasant circular from Ayot St Lawrence down to the River Mimram and back mostly on footpaths. The walk offers some great open views across the Hertfordshire countryside. And there is an option at the start and finish point for refreshments at The Brocket Arms. Check opening times.

Directions

Walk 55: Ayot North-East Loop
Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker
Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors
There is an interactive map at the end of these directions

Those with GPS devices can download GPX or KML files for this walk. We've added What3Words location references for those who use that system. If you print these walks you might want to use the green PrintFriendly icon at the bottom of these directions to delete elements such as photographs.

Park along Hill Farm Lane at Ayot St Lawrence close to The Brocket Arms, (location - https://w3w.co/elaborate.blame.edgy). Head NE along the lane (left as you face the pub) for 75m until you reach the bend.

Turn left on Ayot St Lawrence bridleway10 - Image Gerry Gross

1: Turn left then head NE down Ayot St Lawrence bridleway10 for 20m looking out for a path on your right. This is Ayot St Lawrence footpath 3 (location - https://w3w.co/sofa.neck.button), see image below.

Turn right on Ayot St Lawrence footpath 3 - Image Gerry Gross

Follow this footpath for 1.4km as it heads NE, passing Brimstone Wood on the left, becomes a track, then drops down through a farm yard and out to Kimpton Road (location - https://w3w.co/beard.reach.lonely) (see image below).

Turn left on Kimpton Road - Image Gerry Gross

2: Turn left on Kimpton Road then head NNW for 90m until you reach a road junction, see image below.

Turn right on Heath Hill - Image Gerry Gross

Turn right on Heath Hill then head NE for190m, crossing a bridge over the River Mimram at Codicote Bottom, then continuing until you reach a bridleway on the left (location - https://w3w.co/exist.item.solid).

Turn left on Codicote bridleway 17 - Image Gerry Gross

3: Turn left on Codicote bridleway 17, then head NW for 970m until you come to a footpath sign and gate on your left (location - https://w3w.co/harp.issues.toxic), see image below.

Turn left on Codicote footpath 18 - Image Gerry Gross

4: Turn left on Codicote footpath 18, then head WSW for 30m to where it drops down to the river.

The footbridge over the River Mimram - Image Gerry Gross

This is a lovely spot to stop and watch the clear water of the Mimram. Continue heading WSW for another 150m across a field, until you reach another footbridge, see image below.

Cross the second footbridge - Image Gerry Gross

Cross the second footbridge over the River Mimram to emerge on Kimpton Road (location - https://w3w.co/cards.arrow.quite).

5: Turn right then head W along Kimpton Road for 40m until you reach a bridleway on your left opposite Kimpton Mill (location - https://w3w.co/drive.crate.chose), see image below.

Turn left on Codicote bridleway 38 - Image Gerry Gross

Turn left on Codicote bridleway 38 then follow it as it it heads SW uphill for 980m to Tanyard Lane (location - https://w3w.co/allow.beam.camp).

6: Turn right on Tanyards Lane, then head SW for 120m until the lane bends left. At this point you will see a footpath straight ahead (location - https://w3w.co/flat.adults.certified), see image below.

Follow Codicote footpath 37 - Image Gerry Gross

Follow Codicote footpath 37 SW for 420m, with the field on your right and the hedgerow on the left, until you reach a gate (location - https://w3w.co/zips.pill.meant), see image below.

Follow Ayot St Lawrence footpath 5 - Image Gerry Gross

7: Go through the gate, then follow Ayot St Lawrence footpath 5 across a field usually populated by sheep. Head SSE for 300m on Ayot St Lawrence footpath 5 to a gate leading to Ayot St Lawrence new church (location - https://w3w.co/beans.given.orbit), see image below.

Keep left after the gate - Image Gerry Gross

8: Go through the gate then take the path on your left, still Ayot St Lawrence footpath 5, to reach a metal gate, see image below.

Follow Ayot St Lawrence footpath 5 - Image Gerry Gross

Go through the metal gate then head SE for 310m back to Ayot St Lawrence. When you reach the lane (location - https://w3w.co/mull.cave.boring) turn left and head NE for 120m back to the starting point passing the ruins of Ayot St Lawrence old church on the left.

Interactive map

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