29 May 2011: Hatfield to Hailey

We picked the best day of the bank holiday weekend for a scenic circuit of southern Hertfordshire.  Six of us set out through Hatfield Uni, into a refreshing breeze and through the glass-strewn A1 underpass to Colney Heath.  Tollgate Road, in common with several others, had been re-surfaced with loose chippings.  We reflected on whether this was false economy and sure enough, the gaps each side of the long trench had not been filled and were already opening up, ready to catch a front wheel.

Whitewebbs Park

Waltham Abbey

The wind was in our backs now and we soon reached Whitewebbs Park, where we detoured through the golf course and then past Forty Hall (café closed for refurbishment) and Gunpowder Park into Waltham Abbey.  The Apollo Café provided quick service and we paused to admire the impressive church where King Harold prayed on his way to the battle of Hastings.

Waltham Abbey Church

The bridge over the River Lea at Fisher's Green

We followed NCR 1 via Fishers Green to Lower Nazeing then tackled the steep climb over to Roydon.  It was still windy when we reached the pub at Hailey, so we retreated inside for a break.  Then Tracey led us on a devious route through the grounds of Haileybury and Imperial Service College (whose architect also designed the National Galley). 

Haileybury

Tow path at Ware

We wended through the back streets of Hertford Heath and across to Ware, where we took the towpath to Hertford and found some shelter along Cole Green Way to Welwyn GC, where we finished at the interesting watermill museum at Mill Green. 

Cole Green Way

Mill Green Museum

Here we found a beautifully secluded garden, where willing volunteers were supplying coffee, tea and scones at rather random prices. 

Mill Green garden

A 46.3 mile cicuit  29/05/2011