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Welwyn Garden City Centenary Walk

11.9 miles (19.2 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This waymarked circular walk explores the area surrounding the Hertfordshire town of Welwyn Garden City.
The trail runs for about 12 miles, visiting many of the highlights of the area.
The walk starts to the north of the town in Digswell where there is a train station and car park at the Digswell Viaduct.
From the car park head west and you will pass the pretty Digswell Lake and Nature Reserve where you can see a variety of wildlife.
The route bends round to visit Sherrardspark Wood where there's some peaceful woodland trails with bluebells in the spring months. Keep your eyes peeled for Muntjac Deer and various woodland birds as you make your way through this area.
You continue south to Lemsford where you will pass the Lemsford Springs Nature Reserve. There's nice views of the River Lea, a pretty weir and more birdlife to see here. This area also includes Brocket Hall Estate where there's paths along the photogenic Broadwater Lake and a fine 18th century Palladian bridge.
You then follow the course of the river south east through Stanborough Park. The attractive park has a series of lakes with other features including a Watersports Centre, Nature trail, Lakes, a Restaurant and a Coffee Shop where you could stop for a rest and refreshments.
The trail continues to Mill Green where you turn north east to the Commons and Rolls Wood. The route then cross the River Mimram at Tewin Mill House and passes the lovely Tewin Bury Farm. Another local attraction the estate includes picturesque gardens, the Tewin Nature Reserve, the Grade I listed St Peter's Church and a farm shop. From here you head west to return to the car park in Digswell.
Part of the walk links up with the Lea Valley Walk which can be used to further explore the area.

Welwyn Garden City Centenary Walk OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Welwyn Garden City Centenary Walk Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Photos

Digswell Viaduct as seen from Digswell Park Road - geograph.org.uk - 1310000

Digswell Viaduct as seen from Digswell Park Road. It was designed by William Cubitt and took two years to build. Queen Victoria opened it in 1850. The viaduct is around 1,560ft (475m) long and comprises forty arches of 30ft (9.1m) span, and is 100ft (30m) high from ground level to trackbed. It is built of brick fired from brick clay quarried on site during construction.

Bluebells in Sherrards Park Wood, north-east area - geograph.org.uk - 272940

Bluebells in Sherrards Park Wood, north-east area. Lovely display of bluebells here in this part of this large nature reserve woodland, owned by Welwyn-Hatfield Council.

Lemsford Springs 3

Lemsford Springs

The Lake, Brocket Hall Golf Club - geograph.org.uk - 2377408

The Lake, Brocket Hall Golf Club

Lemsford Mill, Hertfordshire - geograph-2176794

Lemsford Mill, Hertfordshire

Boathouse on Stanborough Lakes. Welwyn Garden City. - geograph.org.uk - 80575

Boathouse on Stanborough Lakes.

Victorian Cottages, Mill Green W.G.C. - geograph.org.uk - 1257204

Victorian Cottages, Mill Green W.G.C.

Tewin Bury Farm - geograph.org.uk - 1029089

Tewin Bury Farm

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Welwyn Garden City Centenary Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)