Islington U3A Shorter Walks Group

Walk/Distance High Barnet via to 4.5 miles (Second half of LOOP Section 16) Repeat of earlier walk

Date/Time Friday 2 November 10.00am start. Half-day walk

Meeting up & 10.00am High Barnet tube station at the end of the . travel Meet outside the exit. 25 mins from Archway or 35 mins from Angel/Kings Cross Return from Cockfosters on Piccadilly Line. 20 mins to All inside the Freedom Pass zone.

Route, Pace & There’s one steepish ascent near the start and another gentler one Terrain near the end. We’ll be walking at a moderate pace. We start in the High Barnet suburbs and are soon into King George’s Fields walking steadily uphill for 10 mins to emerge at . We walk on past the elegant 18th century houses of (including Dr Livingstone’s Cottage) and St Mary the Virgin church, dating from the 12th century, onto Monken Hadley Common where we stop for an al fresco coffee break. We deviate from the LOOP (and a busy road) to walk through the woodland of the common, watching out for tree roots, following a stream for about half an hour. We continue along a surfaced path through a mix of open ground and woodland crossing the Welwyn line railway bridge, diverting to climb steps to admire Beech Hill lake and finally up into Cockfosters village. 5 mins before Cockfosters station there is an option to stop for lunch in our old haunt the Cock Inn (see link below for menu). Or if you prefer to walk straight on to Cockfosters station, there is an M & S Food just outside the station.

Timing This walk is four and a half miles. It will probably take two and a half hours including the coffee break. The only option to cut it short is a mere half-hour into the walk, by catching a bus from Barnet High Street. After that you’re committed.

Clothing/footwear The paths vary from pavements to rough, unofficial woodland paths, so comfortable, sturdy walking shoes or boots required. Obviously bring waterproofs depending on the weather forecast. A walking pole could prove useful in the wood. Toilets At High Barnet station, The Cock Inn and Cockfosters Station.

Opportunities to Trent Country Park is just down the road from Cockfosters station. extend the walk Leader’s Kate Wark Contacts email: [email protected] Phone: 07979 907669

Links http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-loop-section-16.pdf www.thecockinncockfosters.co.uk http://www.monkenhadleycommon.net