9 CYCLING DISCOVERY MAP Starting point: , Distance: 25 miles/40 km (or with short cut 20 miles/32 km) Type of route: Day ride - moderate, circular; on roads LITERARY LANDSCAPES Part of the Great North Way

This cycle ride (part of the Great North Way) starts from the historic town of Welwyn. From here the route heads west along the valley of the , into the foothills of The Chilterns, an area of unspoilt countryside retaining its rural atmosphere. Linked along narrow lanes are pretty villages, farmsteads and bluebell rich woodlands. This probably gave literary inspiration to playwright George Bernard Shaw whose hidden retreat can be visited. Along this route you can discover a 3rd C. Roman bathing suite, wander in the gardens of the late Queen Mother’s childhood home and explore Sir Lionel’s Palladian church.

St. Peter’s Church, Ayot St. Peter

Key to Symbols & Abbreviations Essential information B Cycle Parking Starting point: Welwyn - at junction of High/Church Street, beside 3 Places of Interest St. Mary’s Church. Z Refreshments ; Alternative Breachwood Green - The Red Lion. Join the route by going SA Children Welcome 4 Picnic Site starting point: (from the ) onto Oxford Road. Then at the next T-j, turn R P onto Pasture Lane. Start from Stage 3 - ‘K Breachwood Green’. Shop w Toilets Car parking: Welwyn - High Street (free); Lockleys Drive (free). Breachwood y Tourist Information Green - The Red Lion (free). E Caution/Take care Nearest (11/2 miles east of route at Old Knebworth). Welwyn L Left Turn railway station: Garden City (2 miles south east of route at Ayot St. Peter). R Right Turn Type of route: Day ride - moderate, circular; on roads. T-j T-junction SA Straight Across/Ahead Summary Welwyn - - Rableyheath - Old Knebworth - St. Paul’s X-roads Cross roads of route: Walden - Hitch Wood - Minsden Chapel - Preston - King’s SP Sign-posted Walden - Breachwood Green - Kimpton - Ayot St. Lawrence - NS Not Sign-posted Ayot St. Peter - Welwyn. Distance: 25 miles/40 km. Welwyn Roman Baths Short cut: From St. Paul’s Walden, south west along B651/unclassified roads (via Whitwell) to Kimpton, 31/2 miles (6 km). Total route with short cut, 20 miles (32 km). Terrain: Gently rolling. Several easy to moderate climbs. Lowest point - 236 feet (72 metres) between Welwyn and Codicote. Highest point - 482 feet (147 metres) at Preston. Cycle repair: None available on this route. Nearest are 2 miles south east (from Ayot St. Peter) at Welywn Garden City - Marshall’s Cycles, 20 Hall Grove (01707) 393322. Ordnance Survey Landranger 166 - & . map area: National Cycle Route 12. This ride follows the NCN between Codicote and Network links: Old Knebworth, then again later at Ayot St. Peter. (listed as you would find them along the route) Points of Interest Please note: within this map there is only room to list basic details regarding opening times. In this respect, if you are planning to visit any of the places of interest 3 on this route, we advise you to telephone in advance to confirm exact opening days and times. Refreshment establishments Z listed on this map are just a small selection of those available. For further information, please contact the nearest Tourist Information Centre.

The Great North Way (part of the National Cycle Preston - set amongst winding lanes, this village Network) runs for 32 miles (51 km) through Hertfordshire, I retains its old well. from Hadley Wood (nr. ) in the south to 3 Temple Dinsley - early Georgian house, on the site of a Garden City in the north - passing through the towns of Hatfield, Preceptory of the Knights Templar founded in 1147. and . The route is fully signposted, Now the Princess Helena College. Not open to the public. and consists of quiet lanes and traffic-free sections. This map (no. 9) Z The Red Lion (01462) 459585. ; is one of two (no. 11), containing information about the main linear route, alongside a one-day circular ride which utilises sections of the King’s Walden - attractive hamlet of cottages Great North Way. J and farms. 3 St. Mary’s Church - 15-19th C. with William Morris Welwyn - historic town with Georgian houses and stained glass window and medieval graffiti. A former coaching inns. The sister of painter Vincent Van Gogh, taught at a former school in the 1870s. P Breachwood Green - whose name suggests ‘an area 3 St. Mary’s Church - much restored 15th C. rood screen and K cleared of woodland’. Disused 19th C. windmill. memorial to 18th C. rector/poet, Dr Edward Young. 3 Baptist Chapel - dates from 1904. 17th C. pulpit was used Welwyn Roman Baths - remains of 3rd C. bathing suite, by the famous preacher/author, John Bunyan. discovered in 1960. Now preserved in steel vault under the Z The Red Lion (01438) 833123. ; A1(M). Open Jan-Nov. Admission charge. (01707) 271362. 4 Z The Rose and Crown (Church Street) (01438) 714190. Just off the route - Bendish (1/2 mile east of route). The Stable Door (High Street) (01438) 715200. L Tiny hamlet. John Bunyan (1628-1688) visited the former The Wellington (High Street) (01438) 714036. ; Puritan preaching shed. w Lockleys Drive (off Church Street). M Kimpton - large compact village, standing between the B Codicote - former coaching centre, with timber-framed Mimram and Lea Valleys. P and chequered brick houses. P 3 St. Peter and St. Paul Church - 13th C. with fine screen 3 St. Giles Church - contains a medieval woodcarving of a and wall paintings. little beast, said to represent the devil. Wooden grave rail Z The Boot (01438) 832438. ; to John Gootheridge, who was buried twice in 1824, after The Cross Keys (1 mile south at Gustard Wood) becoming a victim of body-snatchers. (01582) 832165. ; Z The Bell Inn Country Hotel (01438) 821600. ; The White Horse (01438) 832307. ; The Goat Inn (01438) 820475. ; Ayot St. Lawrence - secluded and pretty village with Rableyheath - scattered hamlet. Sally Deards Lane is N timber-framed cottages and 17th C. rectory. C named after a witch, who could turn herself into a hare. 3 St. Lawrence’s Church (old) - in the 1770’s, the lord of the 3 (1/2 mile south east of village) - open manor (Sir Lionel Lyde) had this 12th C. church heath and woodland, with way-marked walks. demolished, so it would become a ruin in the fashionable Open all year. Admission free. 4 ‘picturesque’ style. Z The Robin Hood and Little John (01438) 812361. ; St. Lawrence’s Church (new) - Sir Lionel then constructed this new Palladian-style church in 1778-9. Old Knebworth - attractive village set around a Shaw’s Corner - home of Irish playwright George Bernard D large green. Shaw, from 1906-1950. Literary and personal effects. The Z The Lytton Arms (01438) 812312. ; . Open Mar-Oct. Admission charge. (01438) 820307. St. Paul’s Walden - wooded village, with two 18th C. Z (01438) 820250. ; E mansion’s (St. Paul’s Walden Bury and Stagenhoe). 3 All Saints’ Church - 14th C. with later vaulted/stuccoed Ayot St. Peter - woodland village with attractive chancel (18th C.). Tablet commemorating the baptism of O cottages, narrow lanes and fine old trees. the Queen Mother in 1900. 3 Ayot (1/4 mile south of village) - 21/2 mile St. Paul’s Walden Bury - formal woodland garden. (4 km) trail for cyclists and walkers. It follows route of Childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Garden open former railway line (closed in 1965). on selected dates during year. Admission charge. St. Peter’s Church - over the last 200 years, there have (01438) 871218. Z been four different churches here. The present one Z The Strathmore Arms (01438) 871654. ; (19th C.) has a fine spire with unusual mosiac clock.

Just off the route - Whitwell (1 mile south of St. Paul’s Just off the route - Welwyn Garden City (2 miles south F Walden, along B651). Narrow High Street with early P east of Ayot St. Peter, via Great North Way). World’s brick and half-timbered houses. The area is noted for its second ‘Garden City’, founded in 1920. Its unique design watercress beds. P combines the benefits of both the city and the countryside. P 3 Water Hall Farm - open farm with rare breeds. Open all 3 (Sherrardspark Road) - and year. Admission charge. (01438) 871256. Z 4 hornbeam plantation. Way-marked walks. Open all year. Z The Bull Inn (01438) 871254. ; Admission free. The Maiden’s Head (01438) 871392. Stanborough Park (Stanborough Road) - nature reserve, boating lake and watersports. Open all year. Admission G Hitch Wood - ancient wood, rich in wild flowers. free. (01707) 327655. Z 4 Walking trail. Open all year. Admission free. Z Wide selection throughout town. w Town centre subway. Minsden Chapel - former 14th C. chapel, in ruins since H about 1650. Access is from the bridleway off the B651, about 1/4 mile north of Hitch Wood. ROUTE DIRECTIONS STARTING POINT: Welwyn (at junction of High/Church Street, beside St. Mary’s Church).

A Welwyn - historic town with Georgian houses. 3 Z P w

1 Leave the town along Codicote Road (a one-way street). E

2 At the roundabout with the B656, turn L onto Fulling Mill Lane, SP ‘Ayot St. Lawrence, Kimpton, Linces’. E

3 At the X-roads, turn R onto St. Albans Road, SP ‘Codicote’. Note the old AA water depth sign at the ford. Shaw’s Corner, Ayot St. Lawrence B Codicote - former coaching centre. 3 Z P 18 At the fork in the road, keep R, SP ‘King’s Walden, Bendish’. 4 Turn R into Coward’s Lane (NS). 19 Turn R, SP ‘King’s Walden, ’. To your L is the fine parkland and trees 5 At the T-j with the B656, turn R (NS). Then almost immediately, turn L onto of Kingswalden Park. Rableyheath Road, SP ‘Rableyheath, Potters Heath’. E 20 Turn L onto Church Road, SP ‘King’s Walden, Breachwood Green’. C Rableyheath - scattered hamlet. 3 Z J King’s Walden - attractive hamlet. 3 6 Turn L, SP ‘Nup End’. 21 At the X-roads, turn L, SP ‘Whitwell, Codicote’. 7 At the T-j, turn L (NS). Alternatively you may wish to turn R for 1/4 mile to visit Old Knebworth (NS), or to follow the Great North Way to Stevenage. E 22 Turn R, SP ‘Breachwood Green’.

D Old Knebworth - attractive village set around a green. Z K Breachwood Green - disused 19th C. windmill. 3 Z

8 At the triangular piece of grass (with a post box), turn R, then immediately 23 Turn R, SP ‘Peters Green, Kimpton’. Note the low flying planes heading to R again, SP ‘’. Luton Airport.

9 At the T-j, turn R onto the B656 (NS). Then almost immediately, turn L onto L Just off the route - Bendish (turn L, SP ‘Bendish, Whitwell’. After 1/4 mile, Three Houses Lane (NS). E turn R, SP ‘Bendish, Whitwell’). John Bunyan preached here.

10 Turn R, SP ‘St. Paul’s Walden, Rusling End’. Continue to follow signs for 24 Turn L onto Whiteway Bottom Lane, SP ‘Kimpton’. Shilley Green. 25 Turn L, SP ‘Kimpton’. 11 Turn R, SP ‘Shilley Green, Langley’. 26 At the fork in the road, bear R onto Luton Road (NS). E St. Paul’s Walden - two fine 18th C. mansion’s. 3 Z 27 Turn L, SP ‘Kimpton’. F Just off the route - Whitwell (continue SA, SP ‘St. Paul’s Walden’. At the T-j with the B651, turn L, SP ‘Whitwell’). M Kimpton - large compact village. 3 Z P Early brick/half-timbered houses. 3 Z P 28 Turn R onto the B652, SP ‘ 21/2, St. Albans 71/2’. Then almost immediately, turn L onto Coopers Hill (NS). E Short cut (31/2 miles). Total route with short cut - 20 miles. Continue SA, SP ‘St. Paul’s Walden’. At the T-j with the B651, turn L, Turn R, SP ‘Porter’s End’. E SP ‘Whitwell’. After 1 mile, turn R at the T-j into Whitwell High Street, 29 SP ‘Kimpton B651’. Pass through the village, then turn L onto Horn Hill, Turn L onto Sauncey Wood Lane (NS). SP ‘Kimpton B651’. Go up the hill, and after bearing L around the corner, 30 turn R, SP ‘The Holt 3/4’. Remain on this road for 11/2 miles to the T-j, where At the X-roads, go SA onto the B651 (Ballslough Hill), you turn L (NS). 31 SP ‘Ayot St. Lawrence’. E Please now continue from ‘direction no. 26’.

32 Turn R into Bibbs Hall Lane, SP ‘Ayot St. Lawrence, Shaw’s Corner’. E 12 Turn L (NS), opposite SP ‘Langley, St. Paul’s Walden’. If you reach the B656 you have gone too far. N Ayot St. Lawrence - former home of George Bernard Shaw. 3 Z

13 Turn R onto the B651, SP ‘Hitchin B651’. E 33 At the T-j, turn L, SP ‘Ayot St. Peter’.

14 Turn L into Hitchwood Lane, SP ‘Preston’. 34 Turn L onto Codicote Road (NS). Then take the next R onto Ayot St. Peter Road, SP ‘Ayot St. Peter, ’. G Hitch Wood - rich in wildflowers. 3 O Ayot St. Peter - attractive cottages and fine old trees. 3 H Minsden Chapel - ruined 14th C. chapel. 3 35 Turn L, SP ‘Welwyn, Codicote’. This road (School Lane) goes steeply 15 Turn L into School Lane, SP ‘Princess Helena College, Preston, downhill. Alternatively you may wish to continue SA, following the Great Breachwood Green’. North Way to Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield. E

I Preston - set amongst winding lanes. 3 Z P Just off the route - Welwyn Garden City (continue SA to Ayot Green. Follow the Great North Way into the town). World’s second ‘Garden City’. 16 Turn L into Church Lane, SP ‘King’s Walden, Breachwood Green’. 3 Z P w

17 Turn L, SP ‘Whitwell’. 36 Turn L back into Welwyn High Street (NS). E MAP

The Map shown in this route provides just a general outline - In this respect, we recommend that you purchase the Ordnance Survey Landranger Map which covers the area. Ordnance Survey map area: Landranger 166 - Luton & Hertford. 'Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO ©Crown copyright (2006). All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100017282'.

To obtain information on other Cycling Discovery Maps throughout the East of , please contact:- Tourism, Dettingen Way, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3TU Tel: (0)1284 727470 Fax: (0)1284 706657 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.visiteastofengland.com

Literary Landscapes - published by East of England Tourism, in association with Hertfordshire County Council and Groundwork Hertfordshire. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of the information in this publication, East of England Tourism cannot accept responsibility in respect of any error or omission which may have occurred. The producers of this map have no responsibility for the physical state or maintenance of the route or its suitability for cycling, and therefore give no warranty as to its condition at any time. Any complaints concerning the state or condition of the route should be addressed to the relevant Highways Authority.