Bluebells in the spring, popular with birdlife all year
1.5 miles (2.3 km)
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| The bluebells in Lamer Wood picture taken April 29, 2018 Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
This is a great walk at Easter when wild daffodils spread a yellow carpet either side of the path through Lamer Wood. A few weeks later it’s the turn of the bluebells to flood the area with light blue. Amazing how the same woodland can change so much in the space of a few weeks. All year round it’s a popular spot for woodland birds.
The walk is fairly flat all the way but can get muddy in places after rain. The route starts and finishes in a small car park off Lamer Lane, the B651.
Directions
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Map for Walk 64: Gustard Wood Loop
Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker
Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors
Note: There is a larger, more detailed map embedded at the end of these directions
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1: Park in the small lay-by off Lamer Lane, or, if that is busy, there is an alternative start and finish at The Cross Keys pub on Ballslough Hill. I checked with the staff at the pub and they say they are happy for walkers to park in their car park if they are having a drink or meal there before or after the walk. From the lay-by off Lamer Lane walk in an easterly direction (away from the road) into Gustardwood until the path meets a bridleway heading north-south. This is Wheathampstead bridleway 101. Turn right and follow the bridleway S for 340m until you meet the Lamer Lane again.
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| The path running south from Gustard Wood at the beginning of the walk Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
2: Turn left on Lamer Lane and after 40m turn left heading E along a quiet lane, which is also Wheathampstead footpath 37. Continue uphill for 240m looking out for a footpath on your left that takes you into the Lamer Wood.
3: Take this path, Wheathampstead footpath 85, and head N through Lamer Wood for 850m. This is where you will find the carpet of bluebells when in season.
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| Bluebells to the east of the path through Lamer Wood Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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| Spring blossom falling like snow on the path through Lamer Wood Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
5: Turn left on Ballslough Hill and head SW for 75m. On your right you will see The Cross Keys pub.
6: Soon after you will see a bridleway sign on your right pointing S through Gustard Wood. This is Wheathampstead bridleway 101 again. Follow this path for 320m looking out for a path on your right back to the lay-by where you parked at the start of the walk.
