An undulating walk through woodland and farmland
8.2 miles (13.2 km) to Brookmans Park
7.6 miles (12.3 km) to Welham Green
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| The path heading south from Green Street leading to Wildhill Road Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
This walk starts in the village of Essendon, drops down to the Lea Valley, follows the Lea Valley Walk west for about a mile before heading south through the rolling countryside between Essendon, West End, Wildhill, and Bell Bar. The route crosses several fields where the path has been cut through the crops. This can result in walkers getting wet after rain or in the early morning, especially when walking through rape fields. So waterproof boots and trousers are recommended.
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| Part one of the map for Walk 72: Essendon to North Mymms Linear NW 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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| Part two of the map for Walk 72: Essendon to North Mymms Linear NW Map 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 |
Directions
I've cut the map into two parts (above) because there was so much to fit on. A larger version, which you can zoom in on to see the details, is embedded below these directions.
This walk has two possible end points, one in Brookmans Park, the other in Welham Green. The walk makes use of the Uno bus company's shoppers service that operates between North Mymms and Welwyn Garden City via Wildhill and Essendon on Tuesdays and Fridays (with the exception of public holidays).
At the time of writing, the bus leaves Welham Green station at 09:23 and reaches Bradmore Green in Brookmans Park at 09:28. It will also pick up along Moffats Lane if safe to do so. Please check departure times with the Uno timetable because they might have changed. Ask the driver to give you a shout when you reach Essendon village centre. Alight just past the cricket ground and close to the church.
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| The Lea Valley Walk footpath mentioned in point 3 below Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
1: Walk north along Essendon High Road, past the church, and turn left on West End Lane heading west until you reach the last house on your right. Take the footpath on your right as it heads north-east across a field and drops down to Essendon Hill.
2: Cross Essendon Hill, turn left and follow the footpath alongside the right-hand side of the road as it drops down hill and heads north.
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| The path off Essendon Hill leading to the Lea Valley Walk footpath Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
3: At the right-hand bend at the bottom of the hill, cross the road and go down the track on your left leading to a footpath heading west. This is the Lea Valley Walk footpath which you follow for almost a mile until you reach another track on your left. I got quite wet walking along this part of the walk because the grass is long and it was still wet with the morning dew.
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| The path heading south from the Lea Valley Walk footpath Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
4: Take this track as it climbs up from the Lea Valley heading south for almost a mile until it reaches West End Lane.
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| The Candlestick at West End. Take the footpath running down the north side of the building Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
5: Turn right on West End Lane and follow the road round to the left until you reach The Candlestick. Here you take the footpath immediately before the pub and follow the path along the side of the building, through a wooded area and into an open field. Continue heading south-east along this path with the hedgerow on your left and the field on your right until you reach a byway.
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| The footpath heading south-east and downhill from the Candlestick at West End Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
6: Turn right on the byway and follow it first south then south-west for three quarters of a mile until you reach West End Lane.
7: Turn left on West End lane and follow it round the first bend to the right and on to a left-hand bend by the gate to Popes Farm.
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| Your way continues west along Green Street, the Hertfordshire Way Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
8: Here you leave West End Lane and take the byway heading west along Green Street. Continue until you see a path heading off to your left just before Green Street bends slightly to the right.
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| Turn left off Green Street and head south to Wildhill Road Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
9: Turn left on the path and follow it as it heads south until you reach Wildhill Road. Cross Wildhill Road and continue heading south on the footpath opposite.
10: At the point where the footpath splits, take the left-hand track heading south-east and follow it as it bends to your right. Keep the woodland on your left and the fields on your right and continue straight until you reach the end of the woods on your left.
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| At the point where the footpath splits, take the left-hand fork Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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| Continue along the track with the woodland on your left and the field on your right Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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| At the end of the woodland take the footpath cut through the crops and then cross a second field Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Here the path goes straight ahead through the crops before entering a second field. Continue through the second field until you emerge on Grubbs Lane. The last time I walked this there was rape growing in the second field. The crop had grown over the path making it difficult to push through. It is possible, but it is difficult, especially if the crop is wet.
11: Turn left on Grubbs Lane for a short distance looking out for a footpath on your right.
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| The footpath heading south from Grubbs Lane to Bell Bar Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
12: Take this path as it heads south-west through two fields, through a small copse, and then a third field before emerging on Woodside Lane close to the petrol station.
13: Cross the A1000, the Great North Road, and head south down Bell Lane, past Bulls Lane and uphill to the point where the road swings round to your left.
14: Here you turn right on a footpath that heads north-west then south-west with the field on your right and the woodland on your left.
15: You will reach a footpath going off to your right. However, it's not a well-used path and is difficult to trace.
Directions for walkers returning to Welham Green
From point 15 above, walkers returning to Welham Green need to turn right at this footpath and head north-west across the field. When you reach Bulls Lane turn right a short distance then turn left on Foxes Lane and follow the path back as it heads north-west to Welham Green station.
The best way to navigate this path is to head for the house in the distance (see the picture below) and keep to the left of the tree which will come into view on your right as you cross the field (the top of the tree is visible in the picture below).
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| Those finishing the walk in Welham Green should cross the field aiming for the house in the distance Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
If you are concerned about crossing the field, continue straight ahead heading west with the woodland on your left and the field on your right until the footpath bends round to the right and joins Bulls Lane where you can turn right and then turn left on Foxes Lane and follow the path to Welham Green.
Directions for walkers returning to BrookmansPark
From point 15 above, those returning to Brookmans Park should continue heading west along the footpath with the woods on the left and the field on the right until the path reaches Bulls Lane. Here they will turn left and follow the lane until it goes under the railway bridge.
At this point, those heading to Brookmans Park take the footpath immediately after the railway bridge and follow it as it heads south and then south-west eventually emerging on Station Road where they turn left and follow the road south to Brookmans Park.
