Walks from Watton-at-Stone

Rolling Hertfordshire hills, farmland, woods, hedgerows and riverside path along the River Beane.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended: Excellent views across the River Beane to Heath Mount. A varied route taking in the Woodhall estate and the valley of the River Beane and with a short section along the River Lea towpath in Ware.

Time: 3h–5h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Pretty views on the canal and at the church in Stapleford. An easy-to-navigate, pleasant country walk through beautiful countryside, following the River Beane chalk stream and water meadows for much of the way, with hedgerows, views of a stately house and a few sections of roadside walking along the A119 (paved verges throughout). Mud in winter is still manageable. Follows the River Beane, a chalk stream (one of only around 210 in the world). Tons of wildlife and plenty of park benches. The river has been restored to natural banks. Watton-at-Stone has a Budgens for local baked goods.

Time: 2h30–4h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Suburban residential streets out of Stevenage give way to scenic farmland and woodland, with road walking only on quiet lanes. Mostly field paths and farm tracks; can be very muddy in the woods (Stocking Grove) and on field edges after rain and with some steep verge walking. Town walking out of Stevenage is mostly kept away from traffic on cycle paths and underpasses. No shops or pub at Datchworth; places to eat near the cinema by Stevenage station.

Time: 3h–5h30

Lunch: No shops or pub at Datchworth mid-route.

Warnings: Deep mud and puddles in the woods after rain; narrow verges and a steep (25%) step up off the road onto the verge near Datchworth; slippery when wet.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Rolling Hertfordshire hills, farmland, woods, hedgerows and with a short section along a twisting road.

Warnings: Road section included.

Source: A shorter variant of Watton-at-Stone Circular – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).