TIM

BERLAND TRAIL

WATLING CHASE

For at least two thousand years, travellers from

London to the north have been following the line of

the Watling Chase Timberland Trail. The landscape

has changed considerably over time but reminders

of the past still exist and an abundance of wildlife

occurs along the Trail’s entire length. Journey

through time and across fine landscapes as the trail

follows medieval tracks and drovers roads and

passes the sites of coaching turnpikes and grand

houses from bygone days.

The Watling Chase Timberland Trail isapproximately 17kms (10

1/2miles)

long. It passes through themost varied and beautifullandscapes betweenBorehamwood to thesouth andSt.Albans andHatfield to thenorth. TheTrail is mainlybased aroundpublic footpathsand is thereforesuitable forwalkers only.

For a shorter route(7km) try walkingfrom the ElstreeGateway to ShenleyPark and return toElstree via Radlett.

The route is well waymarked throughout. You may follow thesesigns in either direction.

Comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear is essential and youmay want to take a drink or a snack. There are pubs alongthe route and in the nearby villages of Shenley, London Colney

and Sleapshyde. Refreshments are available at ShenleyPark and Bowmansgreen Farm at selected times.

Public transport There are regular trains between Elstree and Borehamwoodstation and St. Albans City station while buses run betweenSt. Albans and Smallford. The Timberland Trail also passesthrough London Colney and Shenley and there are somebus links to these villages as well. Call the HertfordshireTraveline on 0870 6082608 for more information.

Explore the forestThe Timberland Trail is one of several self-guided routeswithin the Community Forest. Call in at any library withinWatling Chase for more details. These cover just a smallnumber of the footpaths and bridleways in the area. Toexplore more of the countryside, you can make up yourown routes using the latest Ordnance Survey Explorermaps (numbers 173 and 182).

More information on exploring the outdoors is available onthe Countryside Management Service web site at:

http://enquire.hertscc.gov.uk/cms/

TIM

BERLANDTRAIL

WATLINGCHASE

Care of the countrysidePlease respect the countryside and help us tomaintain it as a place for everyone to enjoy:

• Keep dogs under close control and clear upall dog mess.

• Do not pick wildflowers.

• Take all litter home and refrain from starting fires.

• Keep to the path at all times.

TIM

BERLANDTRAIL

WATLINGCHASE

A 17 km (101/2 mile) walk into the past and the heart ofWatling Chase Community Forest

2000down the track

years

Pro

duce

d by

Fitz

patr

ick

Woo

lmer

Des

ign

- 01

322

614

114

Timberland Trail ‘Gateways’You may join the Trail anywhere along its length. For easyaccess or parking, try joining at one of the following locations.

Elstree and Borehamwood Station (Grid ref. TQ 190 963):

From the station take the steps up to Allum Lane. CrossAllum Lane and walk to your left and then just follow thesigns. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the nearbytown centre. The Trail links up with the London Outer OrbitalPath (LOOP) on Allum Lane. This is a 240km (150 mile)walk around the perimeter of London. Leaflets are availablefrom Borehamwood Library.

Shenley Park (Grid ref. TL 181 005):

Includes an impressive walled garden, cricket ground and tearooms. Buses run from nearby Radlett station and stop outsidethe park on Radlett Lane. From Radlett Lane enter Shenley Parkand turn right into the car park and follow the signs.

Bowmansgreen Farm (Grid ref. TL 189 041):

Parking is available and buses stop at nearby LondonColney to provide a link to train stations at Hatfield andSt. Albans. Access is available from Coursers Road.

The Alban Way (Grid ref. TL 202 073):

There is a small car park that you may use on SmallfordLane (Grid ref. TL 198 072). The Alban Way is part of theSUSTRANS national cycle network. There are bus stops onSmallford Lane. Nearby St. Albans Abbey and Citystations and Hatfield station provide access to the nationalrail network. Alban Way leaflets are available from librariesin Hatfield and St. Albans.

The Watling Chase Timberland Trail is one of twelve trails in

each of the Community Forests that have been funded by a

partnership between Timberland (UK) Ltd and the

Countryside Agency.

Watling Chase Community Forest is a long-term initiative to

improve the countryside around the towns of south Hertfordshire

and north London. The initiative focuses on environmentally led

activities for the benefit of all that live, work and play in the area.

M25A1(M)

M10

M1

A414

A41

A1

A1081

A1000

ST. ALBANS HATFIELD

CHISWELLGREEN

LONDONCOLNEY

COLNEYHEATH WELHAM

GREEN

POTTERS BAR

BOREHAMWOOD

BARNETBUSHEY

RADLETT

BRICKETWOOD

LETCHMOREHEATH

Watling ChaseCommunity Forest

St. AlbansCity

Park St& Frogmore

St. AlbansAbbey

HowWood

BricketWood

Radlett

Elstree &Borehamwood

BrookmansPark

PottersBar

HadleyWood

HighBarnet

Whetstone &Totteridge

This Trail has been realised through the joint efforts of theCountryside Management Service, GroundworkHertfordshire and Hertsmere Borough Council.

If you, a neighbour, a member of your family or yourcommunity would like this leaflet produced in anotherlanguage or format (large print or audio cassette) pleasecontact the Countryside Management Service on020 8447 5466.

Please keep to the pathRespect our countryside

Small Copper

SmallTortoishell

SmoothHawksbeard

Field Mouse feeding its young

Timberland Trail

5km (approx)

Alban Way London Outer

Orbital Path (LOOP)

Railway

TIM

BERLANDTRAIL

WATLINGCHASE

For at least two thousand years, travellers from

London to the north have been following the line of

the Watling Chase Timberland Trail. The landscape

has changed considerably over time but reminders

of the past still exist and an abundance of wildlife

occurs along the Trail’s entire length. Journey

through time and across fine landscapes as the trail

follows medieval tracks and drovers roads and

passes the sites of coaching turnpikes and grand

houses from bygone days.

The Watling Chase Timberland Trail isapproximately 17kms (101/2 miles)long. It passes through themost varied and beautifullandscapes betweenBorehamwood to thesouth andSt. Albans andHatfield to thenorth. TheTrail is mainlybased aroundpublic footpathsand is thereforesuitable forwalkers only.

For a shorter route(7km) try walkingfrom the ElstreeGateway to ShenleyPark and return toElstree via Radlett.

The route is well waymarked throughout. You may follow thesesigns in either direction.

Comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear is essential and youmay want to take a drink or a snack. There are pubs alongthe route and in the nearby villages of Shenley, London Colney

and Sleapshyde. Refreshments are available at ShenleyPark and Bowmansgreen Farm at selected times. Public transport

There are regular trains between Elstree and Borehamwoodstation and St. Albans City station while buses run betweenSt. Albans and Smallford. The Timberland Trail also passesthrough London Colney and Shenley and there are somebus links to these villages as well. Call the HertfordshireTraveline on 0870 6082608 for more information.

Explore the forestThe Timberland Trail is one of several self-guided routeswithin the Community Forest. Call in at any library withinWatling Chase for more details. These cover just a smallnumber of the footpaths and bridleways in the area. Toexplore more of the countryside, you can make up yourown routes using the latest Ordnance Survey Explorermaps (numbers 173 and 182).

More information on exploring the outdoors is available onthe Countryside Management Service web site at:

http://enquire.hertscc.gov.uk/cms/

TIM

BERLAND TRAIL

WATLING CHASE

Care of the countrysidePlease respect the countryside and help us tomaintain it as a place for everyone to enjoy:

• Keep dogs under close control and clear upall dog mess.

• Do not pick wildflowers.

• Take all litter home and refrain from starting fires.

• Keep to the path at all times.

TIM

BERLAND TRAIL

WATLING CHASE

A 17 km (101/2mile) walk into

the past and the heart ofWatling Chase Community Forest

2000 down the track years

Produced by Fitzpatrick W

oolmer D

esign - 01322 614 114

Timberland Trail ‘Gateways’You may join the Trail anywhere along its length. For easyaccess or parking, try joining at one of the following locations.

Elstree and Borehamwood Station(Grid ref. TQ 190 963):

From the station take the steps up to Allum Lane. CrossAllum Lane and walk to your left and then just follow thesigns. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the nearbytown centre. The Trail links up with the London Outer OrbitalPath (LOOP) on Allum Lane. This is a 240km (150 mile)walk around the perimeter of London. Leaflets are availablefrom Borehamwood Library.

Shenley Park(Grid ref. TL 181 005):

Includes an impressive walled garden, cricket ground and tearooms. Buses run from nearby Radlett station and stop outsidethe park on Radlett Lane. From Radlett Lane enter Shenley Parkand turn right into the car park and follow the signs.

Bowmansgreen Farm(Grid ref. TL 189 041):

Parking is available and buses stop at nearby LondonColney to provide a link to train stations at Hatfield andSt.Albans. Access is available from Coursers Road.

The Alban Way(Grid ref. TL 202 073):

There is a small car park that you may use on SmallfordLane (Grid ref. TL 198 072). The Alban Way is part of theSUSTRANS national cycle network. There are bus stops onSmallford Lane. Nearby St. Albans Abbey and Citystations and Hatfield station provide access to the nationalrail network. Alban Way leaflets are available from librariesin Hatfield and St. Albans.

The Watling Chase Timberland Trail is one of twelve trails in

each of the Community Forests that have been funded by a

partnership between Timberland (UK) Ltd and the

CountrysideAgency.

Watling Chase Community Forest is a long-term initiative to

improve the countryside around the towns of south Hertfordshire

and north London. The initiative focuses on environmentally led

activities for the benefit of all that live, work and play in the area.

M25A1(M)

M10

M1

A414

A41

A1

A1081

A1000

ST. ALBANSHATFIELD

CHISWELLGREEN

LONDONCOLNEY

COLNEYHEATHWELHAM

GREEN

POTTERS BAR

BOREHAMWOOD

BARNETBUSHEY

RADLETT

BRICKETWOOD

LETCHMOREHEATH

Watling ChaseCommunity Forest

St. AlbansCity

Park St& Frogmore

St. AlbansAbbey

HowWood

BricketWood

Radlett

Elstree &Borehamwood

BrookmansPark

PottersBar

HadleyWood

HighBarnet

Whetstone &Totteridge

This Trail has been realised through the joint efforts of theCountryside Management Service, GroundworkHertfordshire and Hertsmere Borough Council.

If you, a neighbour, a member of your family or yourcommunity would like this leaflet produced in anotherlanguage or format (large print or audio cassette) pleasecontact the Countryside Management Service on02084475466.

Please keep to the pathRespect our countryside

Small Copper

SmallTortoishell

SmoothHawksbeard

Field Mouse feeding its young

Timberland Trail

5km (approx)

Alban WayLondon Outer

Orbital Path (LOOP)

Railway

A414 North Orbital Road

High

Street

Ch

urc

hLa

.

Sm

allford

Lan

e

Sleapshyde La .

White Horse La .

A1081

Wilkin's Green Lane

Barnet Road

Lowbell La.

M25

M25

Coursers Road

Bell Lane

B5378

She

nley

bur

y

Porters Park D riv

e

Black

LionH

ill

London

Road

HarrisLane

Woodhall Lane

Green

Stre

et

Radlett Lane

Aycliffe Road

Allerton Road

Berw

ickR

oad

Ro

ssing ton

Av.

Bar

ham

Ave

nue

Li

nk sD

rive

Th

eobald

Street

Theo

bald

Street

Shenley Road

Allum Lane

Wat

ling

Str

eet

Rad

lett

Roa

d

Elstree &Borehamwood

Station

RadlettStation

SLEAPSHYDE

SHENLEY

BOREHAMWOOD

SleapshydeFarm

TyttenhangerHouse

TyttenhangerFarm

BownansgreenFarm

The BellRoundabout

SalisburyHall

SalisburyHall Farm

Lyndhurst

Little Organ HallFarm

Rectory La.

South MedburnFarm

North MedburnFarm

SMALLFORD

COLNEYHEATH

LONDON COLNEY

o

o

GravelPit

FarmC

l.

Colney HeathCommon

River Colne

RADLETT

ParkfieldsOpen Space

CombeWood

ShenleyPark

DellGrove

GardenWood

Wood HallEstate

CoppiceWood

The Ordnance Survey map data included within this publication isprovided by Hertfordshire County Council under licence from theOrdnance Survey in order to fulfil its public function to increaseopportunities for informal recreation. Persons viewing this mappingshould contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice should theywish to licence Ordnance Survey map data for their own use.

15. The Alban Way served as a branch line of the GreatNorthern Railway until its closure in 1969.

14. The Plough public house is a fine example of lateseventeenth century architecture. It features a timberframe and thatched roof with dormer windows.

11. The site of the medieval manor ofTyttenhanger. Originally built byAbbot Richard of St. Albans around1330, the site was redeveloped bySir Henry Blount in 1660. Hishouse still stands here today.

10. Bowmansgreen Farm is partof Willows Farm Village. It isan example of diversificationin a modern farm. The farmfeatures a variety of familyoriented leisure activities inaddition to traditionalfarming practices.

8. Running through the vale of St. Albans the River Colneprovides a home for a wealth of wildlife. The shy andelusive water vole occasionally reveals itself as itsearches for food. On warm summer days, dozens ofdamselflies and dragonflies search for prey along nearbyfootpaths whilst banded demoiselles dance ceaselesslyabove the water.

7. Shenleybury (road). Livestock drovers were either bannedfrom coaching routes or required to pay tolls on turnpikeroads, as at Barnet Road in London Colney. They wereoften obliged to seek alternatives and this road offereddrovers another route to London.

6. Shenley Park is a 45 acre (18 ha) park set in thebeautiful countryside around Shenley. The parkincludes woodlands, a wildflower meadow and an appleorchard. Take a short detour to look at the fine walledgarden and cricket ground laid out on the advice ofW G Grace over 100 years ago.

5. Shenley derived its namefrom the Saxon “Schoenley”meaning a clearing in theforest. Woodhall Spinney is aremnant of the oak/hornbeamwoods typical of the area.

4. From Woodhall Lane onShenley ridge admire one ofthe best views in southernHertfordshire. Note the manyold oak and ash trees in thehedgerows. The land hereincludes the site of themedieval manor of Titeberstthat was recorded in theDomesday Book.

1

Greater SpottedWoodpecker

Key

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

13

12

14

15

Timberland Trail

Alban Way

London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP)

Gateway Site

Parking

Bus Stop

Railway Station

Pub

Light Refreshments

Toilet

London Coal Duty Marker

Busy Road

Active Works

Not to scale

o

3. Look out for Lyndhurst. It is easy to see why many artistsand musicians visited this house over the last century.Built in the mid-nineteenth century, this imposing housedisplays an architectural style that was high fashion inVictorian England.

2. Cross Theobald Street, a medieval road, which used to linkElstree to the village of Aldenham and served severalfarmsteads and hamlets along the way.

1. Parkfields open space includes a large area of neutralgrassland. Look out for flowers such as common knapweedand sneezewort. To the west, on the skyline is WatlingStreet. This road lies on the line of the old Roman Road thatconnected Verulamium (St. Albans) to Londinium (London).

13. Historically, Colney Heath Common was a wet acidheath. Now much drier, it still supports characteristicheathland plants like petty whin and heather. A visit iswell worth the detour.

9. London Colney is on the oldcoaching route between Londonand St. Albans. In its heyday upto 150 horse-drawn coaches aday were using this road. Look forthe London Coal Duty BoundaryMarker where a tax was leviedfrom merchants taking coal andwine to London.

12. In Hertfordshire, sand andgravel extraction has leftmany lakes like those atTyttenhanger. These canbecome important wildliferefuges. Keep an eye-outfor kingfishers, moorhens,frogs, weasels and foxesaround the lakes and river.