The Chilterns Cycleway The Chilterns Cycleway Chilterns Short breaks - The northern loop Cycleway

a 170 mile circular cycle two-day 46 mile cycling break based on the northern section of the Chilterns Cycleway. Starts in Harlington, with an overnight stay in route through the AHarpenden. Chilterns Area of This route passes through 's gently rolling downland with wide open Outstanding Natural Beauty views, sleepy villages, traditional country pubs and interesting churches en route to Harpenden. The chalk downland nature reserves and Whitwell Watercress Beds are highlights along the way. Harpenden is a picturesque and lively town with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants to enjoy after a day's pedalling (alternatively there are a number of fine country pubs along the route which offer B&B accommodation).The route returns through some lovely countryside, rural in feel despite its proximity to , with lots of interesting villages to explore.

Route information: The route follows the northern section of the Chilterns Cycleway which is signposted. There is a short link route along Sustrans route 6 following the Lea Valley, as indicated on the route map. This link route is not yet signposted and the section between and is unsurfaced at present. How to get there The route is undulating with a few steep hills, though the gradients are gentler than By Train the Central and Southern Chilterns. More detailed route information is available in There are direct and regular trains the Chilterns Cycleway guide book. from London St Pancras to Harlington, Chilterns Cycleway journey time is approximately 45 (signposted) minutes. In general bikes can be Link Routes carried on trains outside rush hour (not signposted) 2 (from 10am to 4pm) and anytime at HARLINGTON BARTON-LE-CLAY weekends and Public Holidays. For 1 HITCHIN train times and details of cycle 6 carriage call National Rail Enquiries 5 tel 08457 484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk 2 2 By Car There is car parking at Harlington Train Station, £2 per day at the LUTON weekend, Tel. 0845 6800023.

DUNSTABLE 3

4 TE MARKYA 6

0 5km short link

0 2mile north

c Crown copyright. HARPENDEN Chilterns Conservation Board Licence no. 100044050 (2010)

an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty The Chilterns Cycleway Short breaks - The northern loop

Harpenden An attractive town centre with many shops, pubs and cafes. It is considered by many as a large village which grew in size after the arrival of the railways. It still retains much of its countryside feel with large areas of common and green. There is a tourist information centre in Harpenden. Tel. 01582 768278

Accommodation Silver Cup Pub and B&B St Albans Road, Harpenden, AL52JF. Tel. 01582 713095 www.silvercup.co.uk Traditional coaching inn on Harpenden Common.

Hyde Mill B&B (2 miles north of Harpenden on Sustrans route 6, the Northern Loop link-route) Lower Luton Road, East Hyde, Luton, LU2 9PX. Tel. 01582 712641 www.hydemill.co.uk Four star bed and breakfast accommodation in a rural location on the banks of the River Lea.

Holly Cottage B&B (1 mile north of Harpenden Centre), Bower Heath Lane, Harpenden, AL5 5EE. Tel. 01582 461991

Hall Barn, 20 Sun Lane, Harpenden, AL5 4EU. Tel. 01582 769700

There are two hotels in Harpenden, Harpenden House Hotel and Glen Eagle Manor.

Bike Shop Harpenden Cycles, Tel. 01582 461963

Country pubs The Old Sun, Harlington. Tel. 01525 877330 along the way The Carpenters Arms, Harlington. Tel. 01525 5872384 The Lynmore Country pub, . Tel. 01582 881233 The Musgrave Arms, Apsley End. Tel. 01462 711286 The Motte and Bailey pub, Pirton. Tel. 01462 712641 The Red Lion, Great Offley. Tel. 01462 768281 (B&B). The Plough, King's Walden. Tel. 01438 871394 The Cross Keys, Gustard Wood. Tel. 01582 832165 (B&B). The Bright Star, Peter's Green. Tel. 01438 832351 The Red Lion, Breachwood Green. Tel. 01438 833123 The Fox, Darley Hall. Tel. 01582 731366 The White Horse, Tea Green. Tel. 01582 722855 King William IV, Mangrove Green. Tel. 01582 728086 (B&B). The Lilley Arms, Lilley. Tel. 01462 768371 (B&B).

Lilley Arms The Chequers, Streatley. Tel. 01582 882072 (B&B). The Chilterns Cycleway Short breaks - The northern loop

Things to see and do All these sights and attractions are indicated on the overview map along the way 1 Barton Hills National Nature Reserve (Natural ) These chalk downland meadows are around the finest in the country, famous for their wild flowers and butterflies. Climb to the top of Barton Hills

for panoramic views. Barton Hills The entrance to the nature reserve is just past the church.

2 The historic villages of Lilley, Pirton 4 Shaws Corner (Ayot St Lawrence, and Great Offley are all well worth 2 miles off the Cycleway route) exploring. Short circular pub walks for A 1902 Arts & Crafts house owned by these three villages are available and can the National Trust and set in a be downloaded from quintessentially English garden. Tel. www.chilternsaonb.org/activities.asp 01438 829221.

3 Nine Wells Watercress Farm, 5 Sundon Hills Whitwell Situated at one of the highest points in This is one of the few remaining Bedforshire, the Sundon Hills offer watercress farms in the area and can be stunning views. There are waymarked seen from the road. They have been walks over chalk grassland and growing watercress here for 200 years woodland. The flowers and butterflies and it is still hand-cut. Pick your own are a special feature in summer. watercress and be tempted with goodies from the farmshop. Tel. 01438 871232 6 Sharpenhoe Clappers (National Trust) A prominent wooded hill believed to be the site of an Iron Age hill fort. There is a circular walk around the hill with far- reaching views.

Whitwell Watercress Beds Sharpenhoe Clappers

Further Information A Guide book is a must for anyone planning to cycle the Chilterns Cycleway. In addition to detailed maps of the route section by section, you will find route Further information about the overviews, information on what to see along the way, pubs, attractions, tea rooms Chilterns Cycleway is available from and other essential visitor information. It is available price £8.99. To order a copy www.chilternsaonb.org/cycleway call the Chilterns Conservation Board on 01844 355500.

an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty