Degen's View

Dave Degen starts his series on walking in Watford's countryside

Asked what they know of Watford, the first thing most people say would be the Harlequin Centre!

But far from being just a retail therapy centre, Watford is a town surrounded by some beautiful countryside, interwoven with a tapestry of footpaths and bridleways.

Now is a great time to be out and about. In this edition, Dave Degen invites you to discover Brightwells Farm and the old Hamper Mill as you enjoy an afternoon stroll that takes less than an hour at a leisurely pace.

Walk: Brightwells Farm and Hamper Mill (about 3km)

This is an easy and pleasant short walk. Some parts can be muddy in winter.

1. Start at the very end of Vicarage Road where it meets the Ebury Way, continue down the unmade approach to Brightwells Farm.

2. Approaching the farmhouse, turn right down a short track, through a gate and into the fields. The path hugs the hedgerows, curling in towards the original Hamper Mill - definitely worth the walk to see this old mill!

3. Cross the narrow footbridge and up a steep path brings you onto Hampermill Lane where you should turn left and continue for about 700m.

4. Between the traffic lights and the red brick bridge, turn left and follow the bridleway with the brook on your right.

5. Just before the entrance to the cricket ground, cross the brook bridge on your right, then turn immediately left, passing the electricity transmission station on your right and continue to the fork. Go left, up the steps and left again onto the Ebury Way (or if you prefer to avoid the steps, take the right fork and at the top turn left onto the Ebury Way.

6. As you follow the Ebury Way over the iron bridge and back towards your starting point, look out for the remains of telegraph poles on the right hand side - they are about 50 yards apart - some of the few remaining signs that this part of the Ebury Way was once a railway track! (More about that in a later edition of the Watford Flea Magazine)

Do you have a local walk that may be of interest? Let Dave know. by calling flea on 01923 241852 or email watford@theflea.co.uk.

Thanks Dave for allowing us to reproduce your line drawing of Brightwell's Farm - talented guy is our Dave! If you click on the small image on the right, you'll get a larger size picture to enjoy! Ed

There will be a longer walk coming from Dave in your next edition of the Watford Flea Magazine

This article was created on Thursday, 22nd April 2010.

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