Walks

Taken from 12 Circular Walks Around Bricket Wood by Rosemany Wenzerul and Pat Blake

Published by the Bricket Wood Residents' Association and the Bricket Wood Society.

c/o St Albans Tourist & Information Centre, The Town Hall, Market Place, St Albans AL3 5DJ

ISBN: 978-0-9508001-5-8
Price: £3.50

Introduction

Walks take place at 10am on the second Thursday of each month, meeting on the corner of West Riding and Mount Pleasant Lane. They are about 3 miles long, take 1½ to 2 hours and are walked in all weathers. The Village also has a traditional Boxing Day walk.

Note: The monthly walks are currently suspended during Covid-19.

The walks published here are short (2½ to 5 miles) in order to encourage people who don't normally walk to try them. They are designed for all ages and ability of walking. They are circular using recognised footpaths and may also be walked in reverse. Don't forget to visit Jack Williams Wood in the Spring to see the carpet of bluebells. Always remember to observer the Countryside Code and to wear sensible shoes and suitable outer clothing.

There is no doubt that walking is good for your health and best of all, it is a free form of exercise. Whether you are walking for health, walking your dog or just taking an evening stroll, we hope that these walks will help you and your family get out and discover the woodland, farmland, plants, wildlife (Muntjac deer), ponds and rivers in the area many of which you would probably not have found if these walks were not documented.

So, please, encourage your family, especially the children, to go out with you on these short walks.

History of the Walks

The monthly Bricket Wood footpath walks in the early 1980s were organised by the late Bert Neasal (on behalf of the Residents' Association), who meticulously mapped out the various walks and listed those villagers who attended them. He was extremely knowledgeable about the area and explained the history as he walked around. We are indebted to him for his instigation of this enjoyable pastime.

He was then followed for a time by Claude Jones and the late Vera Green (on behalf of the Bricket Wood Women's Institute) who spent a great deal of time pre-walking the footpath before each walk.

Today the walks are run by Rosemary Wenzerul and enjoyed by all who join them. They are an excellent way of meeting people and making new friends in the local area.

Walks

Walk 1: Bucknalls Drive, the Common, Munden, Drop Lane. 3.3 miles / 5.3 km

Walk 2: The Gate PH Station Road, Drop Lane, Ford, Munden, Jack Williams Wood. 4.2 miles / 6.8 km

Walk 3: Bucknalls Drive, Jack Williams Wood, Mount Pleasant Lane. 3.3 miles / 5.3 km

Walk 4: The Black Boy PH Old Watford Road, Chequers Lane (amended May 2011). 2.4 miles / 3.9 km

Walk 5: Riverside Way Car Park, Netherwylde Farm, Riverside Way. 3.0 miles / 4.8 km

Walk 6: Bucknalls Drive, School Lane, Munden, Drop Lane, Station Road. 4.5 miles / 7.2 km

Walk 7: Fox and Hounds PH Station Road, Riverside Way, Hanstead Wood. 3.8 miles / 6.1 km

Walk 8: Old Watford Road, Winch Hill Wood, Chiswell Green Lane, Noke Lane (amended May 2011). 4.6 miles / 7.4 km

Walk 9: Moor Mill Smug Oak Lane, Park Street, Frogmore. 2.3 miles / 3.7 km

Walk 10: The Old Fox PH, School Lane, Munden, the Common. 2.9 miles / 4.7 km

Walk 11: Oakwood Road, Burstons, How Wood. 3.3 miles / 5.3 km

Walk 12: Know your village.

Covering Note May 2011.

Dedication

These walks are dedicated to the memory of the late Bert Neasel and the late Vera Green.

Bert instigated these walks to enable the residents of Bricket Wood to enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Legal Disclaimer

The Publishers together with the Authors cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes made to the footpaths.

Abbey Flyer Walks

The are a number of walks both local and further afield based around the stations on the Abbey Flyer train line, including one walk entitled The Common based around Bricket Wood station and the Bricket Wood Common. These walks can all be accessed from the Abbey Flyer website.

River Ver Walks

The Ver Valley Society has published a number of leaflets of walks. These range from The Source Walk at Kensworth to The Confluence Walk at Bricket Wood, plus the Ver Valley Trail covering the entire length. They can be viewed and downloaded on the Ver Valley Society website.

Hertfordshire Health Walks

The Countryside Management Service (CMS), working with St Albans City & District Council & Hertfordshire County Council, organise walks in the St Albans and Harpenden area, as well as in other areas across Hertfordshire. Further detsils can be found on the Hertfordshire Health Walks web pages.

Walking Further Afield

There is lots of information about walking in Hertfordshire including a list of walking clubs and hundreds of free walks to download and print on the John Harris' Walking in England website.

The Ramblers Association also has lots of information including walks, maps and Ramblers Association walking groups on the Ramblers Association website.

Countryside Code

- Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs.
- Leave gates and property as you find them.
- Protect plants and animals and take your litter home.
- Keep dogs under close control.
- Consider other people.

In addition:

- If possible, always take a map, whistle and fully-charged mobile phone with you in case of emergency.
- On roads, always walk towards the oncoming traffic