Hertfordshire: New 37-mile chain of walks created in countryside

Seven shorter walks make up the full route, which starts in Graveley, just north of Stevenage, and passes through several villages and hamlets before reaching Royston.

It has been a labour of love for Dave and Ellie Brewer, who run the free Hertfordshire Walker website and have been publishing walks in the county for more than 25 years.

Commenting on their new creation, Dave told the Comet: "We set up Hertfordshire Walker in order to share our love of walking in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside with like-minded people.

"We are particularly fond of the north-east of the county because many of the public rights of way offer wide open and uninterrupted views across the rolling countryside.

"We like to encourage others to get out and enjoy the Hertfordshire countryside by sharing free walks that can be enjoyed on any device.

"I have sent the details of the seven-walk chain across north-east Hertfordshire to both Hertfordshire County Council's Rights of Way team and to the Long Distance Walkers Association in the hope that the new chain might be afforded official recognition as a new county and national long-distance path."

Their new walk joins Hertfordshire's existing 87-mile chain walk, which passes through the county from Enfield in the south to Ashwell in the north.

Over the years, Dave and Ellie have published 230 routes, walking every mile themselves. In the process, they have walked almost 1,400 miles - the equivalent of walking from Stevenage to John O'Groats and back - with a total ascent of 24,104m, the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest three times.

Their website - not to be confused with the Hertfordshire Walks app - is entirely free to use and provides detailed directions, maps, photographs and GPS navigation files. Walk details can be printed out, or downloaded onto your smartphone.

Last year, Dave and Ellie's efforts were recognied with two awards from the countryside charity CPRE Hertfordshire, including their Gold Standard award and a prize for "connecting people with the countryside and their local green spaces".

Here are the seven walks that make up Hertfordshire Walker's new north-east Hertfordshire chain walk.

Weston South-West Loop (6.5 miles)

The Weston South-West Loop begins and finishes in the village of Weston. (Image: Dave Brewer/Hertfordshire Walker)

This section links Weston with Graveley and passes through an area where evidence has been discovered of Neolithic occupation dating from 8,000 to 4,000 BC, “succeeded by Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans”.

Directions are available here.

Weston North-East Loop - 7.5 miles

The Weston North-East Loop takes you through undulating Herts countryside. (Image: Dave Brewer/Hertfordshire Walker)

On this section you will pass through the graveyard of the Grade I listed Holy Trinity Church, Weston, where you may be able to spot the grave of Jack O'Legs, who is said to have robbed from the rich to give to the poor.

Directions are available here.

Wallington South-West Loop - 5.6 miles

The Wallington South-West Loop offers views across to Cambridgeshire. (Image: Dave Brewer/Hertfordshire Walker)

The third section passes some excavations where drainage ditches, dug by prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars, have been unearthed. You will pass Manor Farm, the inspiration for George Orwell's novel Animal Farm, as well as the cottage where Orwell lived between 1936 and 1940.

Directions are available here.

Wallington East Loop - 6.4 miles

The Wallington East Loop passes through George Orwell's neck of the woods. (Image: Dave Brewer/Hertfordshire Walker)

In this section you will pass Blagrove Common, described as “one of the few remaining areas of unimproved marshy grassland in Hertfordshire” which is a site of special scientific interest.

Directions are available here.

Sandon East Loop - 4.7 miles

The Sandon East Loop crosses a site of special scientific interest. (Image: Dave Brewer/Hertfordshire Walker)

This leg passes through Sandon, a village which has 47 listed buildings, including one of Britain's estimated 200 mediaeval barns.

Directions are available here.

Therfield South Loop - 4 miles

The Therfield South Loop passes through a remote nature reserve and a ford. (Image: Dave Brewer/Hertfordshire Walker)

As you walk this section you will pass Hawkins Wood, a Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust nature reserve that is worth exploring if you have time - especially when the bluebells are out.

Directions are available here.

Therfield North Loop - 6 miles

You may be able to see Ely cathedral when walking the Therfield North Loop. (Image: Dave Brewer/Hertfordshire Walker)

The final leg of the chain walk offers wide open views across the north-east Hertfordshire countryside and passes through the beautiful landscape around the Pen Hills. On a clear day you are supposed to be able to see Ely cathedral from one of the highest points.

Directions are available here.