Redbourn, Rothamsted, Harpenden and Redbournbury Mill

Start: Redbourn Common Author: Chris & Lynda Abbott

Nearest Post Code: AL3 7NG OS Map Ref: TL 102119

Distance: 8 miles (13 km) Ascent 350 feet (108m)

Parking: Redbourn Common next to the cricket pavilion.

Facing the cricket pavilion, turn right and follow the path, lined with trees, to the end of the common, ignoring the left-hand fork. Cross the road and follow the alleyway to the right of Cumberland House (large red brick building). It leads to the High Street. Turn right and first left down Waterend Lane. Follow this windy lane to the Nicky Line footpath, which runs beside the bypass. Turn left along the footpath and continue to the roundabout, where cross two roads to the continuation of the Nicky Line.

Go along the Nicky Line towards Harpenden. After half a mile, continue past Knott Wood, which is on your right. At the corner of Knott Wood (waymark but no signpost) turn right and walk eastwards along its northern edge. When you come to a gate into the wood, turn right into it. Make a circuit of the wood, leave by the same gate and turn right so you continue walking eastwards. There are lots of paths but it is a small wood. You can use a different exit on the northern edge but don’t exit the wood on its eastern edge because that path does not connect to the route.

After a quarter mile broad path bends sharp left and right. Further on it makes a sharp left turn just before some buildings. Continue through Rothamsted Park on the hard surface road. On exiting the park, in Harpenden, there is an opportunity to go left to some toilets (near the Pizza Express). There are also various places selling take-away coffees. However, your route after leaving Rothamsted Park involves crossing the main north-south road (A1081) and turning right, walking on Harpenden Common. Move away from the road and walk south, parallel to it. The best route is down the middle of the grass in a southerly direction.

Cross Bull Road, walk on the grass to the cricket pitch and then more grass. Cross Walkers Road, pass through a wooded area and then more grass. Cross Cravells Road and walk past the club house of a golf course, keeping it to your left. Walk through the golf course which is all open access land. Follow a waymarked path down an avenue of trees, crossing Limbrick Road and reach Cross Lane, where you turn right. Follow this road to the main Harpenden – St Albans road (A1081). Cross over, turn right and then immediately left at the footpath sign. This footpath comes out in Cullens Road. Walk out from this cul-de-sac, take the first left along Burywick and walk to the end where it meets Beesonend Lane. Turn right.

Continue along the lane for over a mile, meeting the Hertfordshire Way path close to Redbournbury Mill. Turn right and then left over the bridge over the River Ver and up to the mill. Go through the gate on the right and take the path to the left of the mill building, which follows the River Ver. This path curves gently left and takes you to the main Redbourn – St Albans Road (A5183). Cross this road and go straight ahead into the yard of a house on your left. There is a gate on the right just beyond the house. Go through it and follow the path until you come to the main Redbourn – Hemel Hempstead Road (B487). Cross over and follow Chequer Lane until you come to East Common on your right. Follow this road which ends at the Cricketers pub and you will see the car park.