LITERARY LANDSCAPES Part of the Great North Way
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9 CYCLING DISCOVERY MAP Starting point: Welwyn, Hertfordshire 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 River Mimram, 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 pub) 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 Knebworth (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 - Codicote - 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 - Luton & Hertford. 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. Potters Bar) in the south to Letchworth 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. Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage. 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 Mardley Heath (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. ; National Trust. Open Mar-Oct. Admission charge. (01438) 820307. St. Paul’s Walden - wooded village, with two 18th C. Z The Brocket Arms (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 Greenway (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 Wood (Sherrardspark Road) - oak 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’.