Deep woodland, rolling fields, open views, parkland
6.2 miles (10 km)
A pleasant ramble through rolling countryside with wide, open fields offering excellent views. A mix of woodland footpaths, tracks, quiet country lanes, and one small section through a housing estate on the northern edge of Codicote. The walk starts and finishes at the Lytton Arms in Old Knebworth.
Directions
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Map for Walk 77: Old Knebworth SW 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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After parking the car, return to the road and turn right heading past the pub. Look out for a footpath sign on the right. Take this path as it heads south-east with the backs of houses on the left and an open field on the right.
2: You will soon reach a footpath crossroads just past the houses. Turn right here and head south-west.
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| The path between points 2 and 3 Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
4: Take this path and walk through a private driveway where the considerate owner leaves a bowl of water for passing dogs. Go through a second gate and continue heading north-west with the hedgerow on your right and the field on your left. Go through the gate at the end of the field, cross a wooden footbridge, and then go through the large metal gate.
Continue, with the boundary fence on your left and the open field on your right. You will see the cenotaph on your right, but your way is to the left of this, heading towards another large metal gate leading into the Knebworth House estate.
Please read the sign on the gate which contains a number of rules and requests for walkers using the public footpaths. A photograph of the sign is below, but I have transposed it for those who want to print off these directions without the images.
Notice to Footpath Walkers
You are most welcome to enjoy the footpaths, we simply asked that you stay on them, and keep all dogs on leads. If you are tempted to use our facilities, further explore the park, gardens, special events, and playground, please be honest and buy a ticket. We do check tickets. Not only will this help support the future of the park, but it enables us to insure your safety. Have a good day!
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| The gate leading into the Knebworth House estate between points 4 and 5 Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Continue along the western boundary of the Knebworth House estate with the boundary fence on your left and the estate stretching to your right, until you reach a footpath T-junction.
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| Ignore the path on the right and continue heading north-west to the estate boundary Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Continue straight, ignoring the path on your right until you reach the B656 Hitchin Road.
5: Cross the road and take the footpath directly opposite. This path leads into Winter Wood. Follow the path through the woodland as it heads west.
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| Take the path into Winter Wood and head east Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
6: Keep following the signs posts as the path veers slightly to the right and then left again through Graffidge Wood until it reaches a quiet country lane.
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8: Take this path and head south-west down the western side of Holl Lays Wood keeping the woodland on your left and the open fields on your right. Continue until you reach the end of the woodland.
9: Turn left at the way-marked sign and head south-east down the edge of Holl Lays Wood.
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| Turn left at the end of Holl Lays Wood and head south-east Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Continue heading south-east until you reach Three Houses Lane.
10: Turn right on Three Houses Lane and walk south-west until you reach a footpath sign on the left.
11: Take this path and head south-east along a track with woodland on your left and fields on your right. Continue as it leaves the woodland, dips down a dell, crosses open fields on well-defined tracks, and rises to meet the B656 Hitchin Road.
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| Scene along the route between points 11 and 12 Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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| Scene along the route between points 11 and 12 Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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| Scene along the route between points 11 and 12 Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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| Scene along the route between points 11 and 12 Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
12: Here the path would have joined the busy road, but a 'permissive path' has been marked heading south down the side of Hitchin Road to the junction with Whitwell Road. Take this path a short distance until it joins the B656.
13: Cross the road with care and walk south down the eastern side of the B656 (now called High Street)into the village of Codicote. After passing the garden centre you will cross Tower Road. Soon after, look out for a footpath sign on your left.
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| Take the path through the housing estate Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Take this path as it weaves its way through the housing estate. This footpath crosses two small roads. The first is a close called Bentick Way. Here you walk diagonally across the road heading north-east. The second is St Giles Road where you continue straight ahead crossing the road and following the footpath north-east.
When you reach Bury Lane turn right and head south a short distance looking out for a footpath on your left.
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| The footpath heading east off Bury Lane Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
14: Follow the path as it drops down to fields with wide open views and heads east along a well-defined track.
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| The footpath heading east off Bury Lane soon leads to open fields Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
15: After a dip the track climbs north-east uphill until it meets Sally Deards Lane.
16: Turn right on this quiet country lane and follow it round a bend looking out for a footpath sign on your left.
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| The footpath on the left off Sally Deards Lane Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
17: Take this path north-east and head straight until you reach Slip Lane.
18: Turn left on Slip Lane and head north-west. Look out for a footpath sign on your right leading into New Wood.
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| The footpath leading into New Wood Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
19: Take this path and head first north then north-west through New Wood and then across the open fields across one footpath junction.
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| The footpath crosses open fields to Old Knebworth Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
20: When you reach the second footpath junction (in the middle of the fields), turn left and head north-west back to the Lytton Arms.
Interactive map
Those with smartphones and tablets can use the interactive map below to zoom in for more detail.
