Ayot Green and

Start: Author: Ian Brander

Nearest Post Code: AL6 9AA OS Map Ref: TL 222138

Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) Ascent: 380 feet (115 m)

Parking: Park by The Waggoners, Brickwall Close, Ayot Green.

Take the signed footpath opposite the Waggoners and follow this path around a red brick house in the trees on the left. Continue along the path through the trees to reach the golf course. Follow the footpath signs across the golf course to reach a tarmac drive. Turn left onto the drive, and in 150 yards turn right onto a signed path alongside the trees on the left, for views of Brocket Hall and the lake follow the drive to the white bridge over the and then retrace your steps. The path bears left and re-joins the tarmac drive, cross the drive taking the footpath ahead, with the golf course on your right and Brocket Hall and the lake on your left. The path climbs upwards then crosses two fairways to enter a wood and leave the golf course.

The path drops down through the wood and at the bottom ignore a path to the left and bear right. Follow this path through trees with the River Lea away to your left and fields on your right. The path joins the River just before reaching the ford at Waterend. Turn right on the lane here and then in 50yards take the bridleway on the left in front of Waterend House. Ignore a path to the right and continue along the bridleway for 500 yards and then turn right onto a signed path to walk up hill along the edge of a wood. On reaching the Ayot turn right and follow the disused railway for ¾ mile passing under one farm track then over a second. After crossing the second bridge, and before reaching the top of the incline, turn left onto an unmarked crossing footpath passing under a power line and leading into a field.

Cross the field and go through a gap in the far hedge. Turn right onto a tarmac drive and follow it around the perimeter of Ayot Place to reach the main entrance drive. Turn right onto the drive and walk along the avenue of trees to reach the main gate. Take the door in the pillar to right to reach the lane. Continue straight ahead along the lane and in 200 yards take the footpath to the right, up steps, into a field. Cross the field and at the far side go through the gap in the hedge to reach a lane. Cross the lane and take the footpath directly ahead and cross a meadow, planted with trees. At the far side pass a wooden gate and continue ahead to a second wooden gate and style. Pass these to cross another field, bearing left to head for a gap in the hedge on the far side of the field.

Go through the gate in the gap and turn left onto the lane. In 50 yards take an unmarked path on the right into the woods. Bear left with this path and in 200 yards, on meeting a well-defined crossing path, turn right and follow this path as it descends through the woods. Leave the wood by a style next to a wooden gate to enter a field. Follow the left-hand field edge as it climbs upwards and at the top do not leave the field by the gate ahead but turn right to continue around the field. At the field edge go through a metal gate to pass between a house on the left and a copse on the right. Follow the path along the edge of the copse heading towards the church of St Peter at Ayot St Peter. At the fork in the path take the left fork towards the church and then turn right onto the lane in front of the church.

Take the signed footpath to the left opposite School Lane and follow this path along the edge of the woods. At the end of the woods the path meets the Ayot Greenway, turn left here to join it. When the greenway drops down to the road junction continue straight ahead following the road, sign posted to Ayot Green. Follow this road as it bears right back to Ayot Green. On reaching the road junction at Ayot Green bear left to return to Brickwall Close and the Waggoners.