Gorhambury Estate Walk
This walk explores the Gorhambury Estate in St Albans in Hertfordshire.
You can walk through the estate along the Gorhambury Drive which is normally open between 8am and 6pm. The permissive paths lead from Bluehouse Hill, Beech Tree Lane and Redbourn Road.
This walk starts from Verulamium Park where you can see the ancient Roman Theatre before following the drive around the estate. This opening section uses part of the Hertfordshire Way and the Ver-Colne Valley Walk to take you past the roman site and then into Gorhambury. There's lovely views across the estate's fields with sheep and horses to see also.
The drive then bends round taking you past Gorhambury House before coming to Old Gorhambury House which is now a ruin. It was once an immense mansion constructed in 1563-8 by the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, Sir Nicholas Bacon. It was visited a number of times by Queen Elizabeth I and is a Grade I listed building.
The more modern house is a Palladian-style mansion built between 1777 and 1784 to replace Old Gorhambury House. The building is currently the home of the 7th Earl of Verulam.
Postcode
AL3 6AH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Gorhambury Estate Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Gorhambury Estate Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Gorhambury Estate OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Gorhambury Estate Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Prae Wood Arms can be found on the eastern side of the estate. The pub has an interesting history having been built for Lady Frances Cooke Grimston in 1838. It's a great place for Al Fresco dining with lawns that gently slope down towards the River Ver at the bottom of the lovely gardens. There's also a finely restored interior with lots of photo's and historical prints to see. They serve high quality food from a varied menu.
You can find them at postcode AL3 6JZ for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
Dogs are allowed on the estate but they must be kept on leads due to the livestock in the surrounding fields. The Prae Wood Arms mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The Roman Theatre of Verulamium
Hertfordshire Way - Gorhambury. Watling Street lies beneath the field on the other side of the fence. The roman road went in a straight line but this driveway to Gorhambury House now has a bend in.
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Cattle on the estate
Nashs-Lodge
Gorhambury house
Old Gorhambury House ruins 1
Old Gorhambury House ruins 2
Temple-Cottage and the drive