Shenley Walks
The idyllic Hertfordshire village of Shenley sits in a pleasant rural position on the outskirts of North London.
This walk from the village visits Salisbury Hall and the de Havilland Aircraft Museum. You'll also pass the training grounds of Arsenal F.C and Watford F.C before heading to the village of London Colney. Here you can enjoy river walks along the River Colne.
The walk starts in Shenley and follows country lanes north east past Combe Wood to Shenley Hill. You pass along Rectory Lane to Pinks Hotel where you turn to north to follow footpaths up to Salisbury Hall and the de Havilland Aircraft Museum. Here you'll find a collection of aircraft including the de Havilland Mosquito and the de Havilland Vampire – the third operational jet aircraft in the world. The Mosquito W4050 is particularly noteworthy being the only surviving World War II twin piston engine prototype of a combat aircraft to be preserved in the World. It can now be viewed by the public on the very site where it was designed and built.
After exploring the museum the route continues north to visit London Colney. Here you'll find public footpaths running along a series of lakes next to the River Colne. It's a very pretty area which includes a picturesque village green and a splendid old seven arch bridge over the river. The route then heads back through the countryside to Shenley on different public footpaths.
Shenley Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Shenley Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Shenley OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Shenley Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Back in Shenley The White Horse is a good choice for some post walk refreshments. This gastropub has a great menu with delicious Mediterranean food. There's a stylish interior with open fires and armchairs. Outside there's a lovely garden area for warmer days. You can find them at 37 London Road with a postcode of WD7 9ER for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country and river trails are a nice one to do with your dog. The White Horse pub mentioned above is also dog friendly. However, no dogs are permitted at the Aircraft Museum with the exception of Assistance Dogs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To the west of the village you can pick up the Ver-Colne Valley Walk. This long distance footpaths runs along the Rivers Colne and Ver through some lovely countryside. Next to the trail you'll also find Bricket Wood Common where there are some peaceful woodland trails.
To the north there's the town of St Albans to explore. The St Albans Walk takes you to the Roman Verlulamium Park, the Watercress Wildlife Site and the River Ver. On the northern outskirts of the town there's also miles of good cycling and walking trails to be found around the Heartwood Forest near Sandridge.
Also to the north there's the town of Hatfield where you can explore the grounds of the historic Hatfield House. The grounds include several waymarked walking trails with woodland, parkland and gardens to see.
A few miles south west there's Aldenham Country Park to explore. There's some nice waterside trails around the park's large lakes here.
Also to the south you can pick up the Dollis Valley Green Walk and follow the pretty Dollis Brook towards the village of Totteridge in Barnet. It's a nice place to visit with a pretty village green, a cricket pitch, some pleasant local countryside and a nearby nature reserve to visit.
Just east is the neighbouring village of Ridge where you'll find the noteworthy Old Guinea pub. The early 19th century inn has a particularly lovely large garden with stunning views across the surrounding countryside.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Hertfordshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Shenley Cage and Pond. Viewed looking northwards over the village Pond, the Cage is one of the last remaining round gaolhouses in the country. There is a tablet in the wall of the gaolhouse advising passers-by to "Be Sober", and this outside the Queen Adelaide public house.
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War memorial, Shenley
Salisbury Hall with moat. near Ridgehill Herts. The hall and moat are visible on the map but not the museum. The building is now converted into apartments.
De Havilland aircraft museum Hertfordshire. The wooden framed Mosquito was built at this factory so the museum has a heritage status.
Microlight Airstrip. Adjacent to Salisbury Hall from where the prototype Mosquito aircraft first flew. The sign next to the windsock reads 'Danger Active Airfield please drive slowly on the right hand side'.
The Arsenal Training Centre was opened in 1999, costing £10 million. It houses ten full size pitches, two with under-soil heating, and a state-of-the-art dressing room complex. These facilities are owned by Arsenal and are also regularly used by the England national team for training in advance of club and international matches, respectively. This image was taken from the Watling Chase Timberland Trail public footpath.
London Colney: Bridge over the River Colne. The fine seven arch bridge carrying the main road through London Colney over the River Colne, viewed looking upstream and eastwards. London Colney used to be the last stop on a coaching route from the north into London, and there are two pubs, The Bull and the Green Dragon, on either side of the river. In front of the bridge is a ford.
River Colne in London Colney. The aftermath of the extraordinary snowstorm that occurred over a narrow band of the Midlands and South East England on 28 October 2008 is recorded here. It began snowing at about 6pm in London Colney continuing for several hours. The weight of the snow combined with the fact that many trees had not yet shed their leaves caused many branches to snap off. Such was the general coldness that the snow was still present in small patches two days afterwards. This is the River Colne on the morning after looking upstream towards Telford's bridge.