Wheathampstead to Shaw's Corner circular walk
Enjoy this circular walk through the glorious Hertfordshire countryside, starting in the pretty village of Wheathampstead. Follow in the footsteps of the playwright George Bernard Shaw and stop off at Shaw's Corner, his home of 44 years, and Lamer Park, home of Shaw's great friend Apsley Cherry-Garrard.
Near to
Shaw's CornerStart point
Wheathampstead East Lane car park. Grid ref: TL 178371. Postcode: AL4 8SB.Trail information
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Wheathampstead East Lane car park. Grid ref: TL 178371. Postcode: AL4 8SB.
Stage 1
Starting in Wheathampstead East Lane car park, turn right onto East Lane, then right again onto Station Road. Follow the road uphill until you come to the Wheathampstead station platform. After a visit to the platform, bear right, and then take the first lane on the right (past Harpenden Recovery), before taking the footpath to the left (signposted Ayot Greenway).
Stage 2
Follow the footpath until you reach a set of steps which lead down onto Sheepcote Lane. Head left, under the underpass, before taking the first path on your left, up the slope and through the iron gate. Follow the path across the field, then cross the path of the disused railway, and up the bank again on the other side. Go through the metal kissing gate and follow the path until you reach the Codicote Road.
Stage 3
Cross the Codicote Road with care, then take the path that follows the line of the drive. When you reach the gates of the former golf course club house, take the path that runs to the right of the fence. When you come to a junction, turn left onto the Hertfordshire Way.
Stage 4
At the silver kissing gate, take the right-hand path and follow it until you reach the drive for Lamer House (marked private road, footpath only). Keep heading straight until you reach the gates of Lamer Park Farm. Take the footpath to your right, through the avenue of limes.
Stage 5
At the end of the avenue, take the footpath to your right and follow it for around 200 yards, before taking the steps up to your left. Follow the path alongside the hedgerow and exit onto Bibbs Hall Lane. Turn right and follow the lane for 200 yards, until you reach Shaw's Corner on your right.
Stage 6
Continuing from Shaw's Corner, turn right onto Bibbs Hall Lane, then right again onto Bride Hall Lane. After 100 yards, take the public bridleway on the left hand side of the bend. Follow the path alongside the woods until you reach the Codicote Road.
Stage 7
Cross Codicote Road with care, then take the path on the other side, signposted Hunters Bridge. After 100–200 yards, carefully look for a waymarked path across the field to your right, up the hill towards a copse (Three Groves Wood). This path may be ploughed at certain times of the year. At the top of the hill, bear left across the field, heading for the next copse.
Stage 8
Follow the footpath (look out for the little yellow arrows on posts), until you cross Sparrowhall Bridge. Keep straight on, then head straight across the next field. At the bottom of the steps, turn right onto the Lea Valley Way.
Stage 9
Follow the path across the bottom of the river valley for approximately 1 mile, until you reach steps down to Sheepcote Lane. Head back under the underpass.
Stage 10
Keep walking up the lane and then cross the ford. After 300 yards take the footpath on your right, between the hedges. When you reach the playing fields, bear right, keeping the football pitch on your left.
Stage 11
When you reach the river, bear left towards the forge. Pass the forge and head out onto the lane beyond. Follow it until you reach a T-junction, and then turn right.
Stage 12
The entrance to East Lane car park is 100 yards on your right and you have reached the end of the walk.
End point
Wheathampstead East Lane car park. Grid ref: TL 178371. Postcode: AL4 8SB.
Trail map
A map of the Wheathampstead to Shaw's Corner circular walk | © Crown Copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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