The Hertfordshire Way

Stage 7b Hemel Hempstead to Kings Langley - Part 1

Image produced from Ordnance Survey's Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with 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 second half of the seventh leg from Hemel Hempstead to King's Langley, 9 miles, in April 2004.

The guidebook describes this as an easy going walk, through pretty Chiltern villages, and extensive wooded commons.

The Way leaves the Grand Union Canal at Bridge number 146.

After crossing the golf course at Little Hay, the Way reaches Bovingdon. The church there was built in 1845 on the site of a 13th century building, and is said to have one of the largest churchyards in Hertfordshire. It also has a splendid avenue of yew trees.

By a pond in the centre of the village is a pentagonal wooden wellhouse, which was erected in 1881 in memory of a local gentleman.

After Bovingdon the Way turns south east, and the path is clear through the winter wheat.

It's turned into a beautiful Spring afternoon (it's Good Friday), and it's a pleasure to stroll up Holly Hedges Lane.

We leave the lane (just before it becomes Ollieberrie Lane) to enter the wood.

A colourful tree stump in the wood.

Now click this link for the second half of the walk.