Circular walk from Hatfield Forest
Maps - OS Landranger 167
9.5 miles
Start from car park at map reference TL 546 203 0.6m south of the A120
Turn right our of the car park to go south down the road from the A120. After the church (St John the Evangelist) turn left for Bush End. Walk past the house with windmill pargetting. Follow the footpath across the small green on your right then go over the driveway and through the gap in the hedge opposite.
The path technically goes straight across the field but it may be better to follow the hedge to the right then cross left between two fields at the narrowest point to a line of trees. Turn right through the gap in the hedge and continue with the trees on your right going a little West of South. Continue with the trees / hedge on your right ignoring any diversions until you meet a concrete track, turn right past a large white house. At the minor road bear left then straight ahead/ a little left at the next junction. Where the road goes sharp left, carry straight on over the stile next to the metal gate, not down the other side of the hedge.
Go through the field keeping Pincey Brook on your left. Where the brook appears to have been diverted to the right under a concrete bridge, continue straight ahead on a narrow path between a fence and the hedgerow. When you come to a concrete and metal bridge on your left cross, then climb up the hill to the house to the right of the church (St Mary the Virgin). You can walk down the track to the road past the house but it may be better to walk through the churchyard to the road as you get a view down the road towards some old houses.
Go West along the B183 then just before a nursery you will see a path tucked behind the hedge on your left, it is marked as a footpath and goes round the edge of the field. At the concrete bridge cross the brook and turn right. You will approach a line of poplars, as you pass the trees continue with the hedge and the brook on your right. Just before a metal gate the path drops down through a gap in the hedge to the side of the brook. At the concrete bridge cross and turn left down the side of a field to a small bridge by a telegraph pole. Cross the bridge and keep the hedge and brook on your left. Continue towards a stable block on the path between a fence and the hedge.
At the road turn left to walk into Hatfield Heath for lunch. When rested go back North up the B183. Where the road goes sharp right, continue straight ahead down a minor road (Ryes Lane). Where this road turns sharp right continue straight ahead through some trees onto a footpath, follow the footpath round to the left, there will be some sheds on your left. Where the path exits onto a field turn right, following the edge of the field. At the end of the field go straight on following the marker arrow. After two bridges turn right at the end of a field and go through a gap in the hedge over a bridge. Continue straight on until you meet a track coming in from the right. Turn left towards a line of trees. At the line of trees turn right towards Monk's Wood.
At Monk's Wood go through a gate and continue ahead with the wood on your right. After you pass a house on your right cut diagonally across the green to the corner of Wall Wood. Continue North with Wall Wood on your right then enter the wood at a stile by a gate. Follow the path straight ahead. At the East side of the wood the path bears left and North. At a fork bear right, then at an avenue of trees continue straight ahead down that avenue. At a minor road cross and enter Hatfield Forest by a stile. Do not go left on the public footpath into the field.
On entering the forest turn right down a minor path. At a fork bear left through the trees to a broader track where you turn right. As you exit the trees continue straight ahead down the grassy avenue. Turn left where the green way broadens out into a large crossroads. At a fork bear right (Northeast) towards a large tree. Follow this avenue ignoring any crossroads. When you reach a car park cross to enter the Forest Cafe grounds by a small gate. Follow the path round the lake, keeping the lake on your left. Stay on the wooden path as it veers away from the lake. When you meet a tarmac road turn right and conintue until you return to the Car park.
Free to print for personal use, not for printing and distribution without prior permission of the author.
© 2006 Peter Martin pete@tomatin.cix.co.uk