The Hertfordshire Way
Stage 12: Widford to Bishop's Stortford
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Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
The Hertfordshire Way is a 166 mile long distance trail around the county divided into 14 legs, and beginning and ending at Royston. Bluetiger walked the twelfth leg, from Widford to Bishop's Stortford, 11½ miles, in September 2005. The guidebook describes how the Way has "now reached the arable country of east Hertfordshire, an area of small villages and large fields."
The Way leaves Widford up the Ash valley, and approaches Much Hadham through Mill Wood passing this secluded pool.
At the beginning of the Much Hadham loop, this dead tree stands out in relief against the blue Autumn sky.
It is beginning to warm up and the shade of the trees in Sidehill Wood is welcome.
The beautiful church at Much Hadham is used by both Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
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By the West door of the church are two gargoyles carved by the sculptor Henry Moore (of whom more anon).
Much Hadham is said to be one of the most beautiful and interesting villages in Hertfordshire, with a wide range of vernacular architecture among the houses along its main street. This is an example of one of them.
Here is a view up the street near The Bull inn.
After completing the Much Hadham loop the Way heads for the village of Perry Green. Henry Moore came to live here during World War II and remained until his death in 1988. Several of his sculptures are in the grounds of his estate and can be seen from the footpath which crosses it.
Another sculpture.
From Perry Green to Thorley on the outskirts of Bishop's Stortford the Way passes through the area of large fields promised by the guidebook. There are big skies too, as the clouds begin to build as the afternoon progresses.
Thorley church - there is a wedding going on.
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Beyond Thorley the hedgerows are full of autumnal fruits, and we spent some time picking some juicy blackberries to take home to put in apple pies.
Entering Bishop's Stortford the Way crosses the tracks of the main London to Cambridge railway. Given that there are frequent very fast trains going up and down here, this seems somewhat dangerous!
The Way goes into the town alongside the River Stort, seen here at Twyford Lock.
Although the river is supposed to be navigable, this narrow boat hasn't moved in a while.
The Way is careful hereabouts not to cross the county boundary into Essex, and so we have to cross the railway again. Less than a minute later the train you can see in the distance raced past this spot!
