08 Jan 2017: Hatfield to Whitewebbs

Today’s destination is a new one and, for a change, seven of us are heading towards London, with a chance to explore some less travelled routes and tracks.

Strayfield Road

The King and Tinker is located at the edge of Whitewebbs Park, an ancient hunting forest, and apparently the pub was named after King James. It is rumoured that James I (1566-1625) once drank here.  The story goes that he lost his courtiers whilst hunting, and decided to take refuge in the alehouse. Here he shared his drinks with a tinker, who only realised he had the King as a drinking partner when the courtiers came back and found him! The pub is indeed pretty old and the story comes from an ancient ballad.

Bandstand in Forty Hall Park

Our route there takes us south along NCR 12 to South Mymms, then east across the tribridge over the A1 to follow Trotters Bottom, Dancers Hill Road and Wagon Road. It is all very rural despite being inside the M25. It’s new territory for Trevor on his first Sunday ride and he has no idea where he is.

At the end of Wagon Road the cycle route link to The Ridgeway is still at the planning stage, so we climb Ferny Hill to The Royal Chase Hotel, where the off-road part of NCR 12 resumes.  It’s a lovely ride through the farm before joining a very well surfaced track through Hilly Fields and Forty Hall Park, where we follow Turkey Brook.

The pub was not as reminiscent of Fawlty Towers as some online reviews make out, although I wouldn’t say it was the warmest of receptions. But the sandwiches are fine and we spend a pleasant hour.  There is plenty to look at inside, including sketches purporting to be by Ronnie Wood and Bob Dylan.

Signed by Ronnie Wood

Signed by Bob Dylan

Leaving the pub, we turn left into Whitewebbs Park and ride through the golf course.  Even Bill, who lives in the next borough, doesn’t know about this path. We then rejoin our outward route back to Wagon Road for the return to Hatfield.

Jon 07/01/2017