A circular ride from Hemel Hempstead
A circular ride from Hemel Hempstead visiting The Nicky Line, Redbourn, Water End, Potten End and Gadebridge
| Distance: | 19 km (12 miles) |
|---|---|
| Time: | around 2 hours |
| Rating: | Moderate with two steep climbs |
| Starting point: | Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead show me on a map |
Route description
This ride starts in Hemel Hempstead where a Park and Ride facility can be found in Gadebridge Park. The Nicky Line, a disused railway line used as a footpath and cycle way, will take you out of Hemel Hempstead towards Redbourn. Once at the edges of Redbourn the ride will take you into open countryside and along part of the ancient Gaddesden Row before crossing the upper reaches of the Gade Valley through Water End, Potten End and Gadebridge.
The route covers a distance of about 12 miles. The route is on tarmac roads and cycle paths with an off road section along the Nicky Line. A detailed leaflet about the Nicky Line is available from the Countryside Management Service or Dacorum Borough Council. Although suitable for most cycles please read the advice (below) on using this section before starting your ride. In particular, please dismount and take care when crossing roads along the Nicky Line. The last stretch of the route is based on a well signed cycle path running from Gadebridge down to Hemel Hempstead Town Centre. It is advisable to use an Ordnance Survey Landranger map (nos 166 and 165) to make the most of your cycle ride.
Points of interest
Hemel Hempstead
Although thought of by most people as a New Town, Hemel Hempstead is steeped in centuries of history. Developing around a market town, fine examples of 17th and 18th century architecture can be seen in the old High Street along the back of Gadebridge Park. Gadebridge Park itself was formerly part of the Gadebridge House Estate, the residence of a 19th Century Royal Surgeon. The large church spire to your left as you leave the Gadebridge Park is that of St. Mary's the most complete Norman parish church in Hertfordshire. The lead spire was built in 1689, rises to over 200 feet, the tallest of its kind in Europe.
The Nicky Line
The Nicky Line itself was formerly a branch line of the London to Birmingham Railway. The line ran from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden to link the straw plait industry with the Luton hat trade. The 14 mile line was opened in 1877 having taken 15 years to build. There were two stations in Hemel Hempstead and Redbourn, and a number of halts. Remnant features of the railway can still be spotted along the line. As rail travel declined the line eventually fell into disuse with the last train running in 1947. The line closed completely in 1979.
Cycling on the Nicky Line On leaving Gadebridge Park you will take a steady climb along Queensway up to the tall railway bridge arches of the Nicky Line. Once you have passed under the bridge take extra care crossing over the road to then go on and join the Nicky Line on top of the bridge up a flight of steps. The Nicky Line will provide you with long interrupted stretches of car free track. The surface should be suitable for most cycles but may be bumpy in places. You will need to dismount to cross two busy stretches of road; firstly at Redbourn Road near to the Eastman Way Industrial Estate and secondly, the Hemel Hempstead Road on the edge of Redbourn. You will need to follow the Nicky Line waymarks carefully particularly at the Industrial Estate.
Redbourn
You will leave the Nicky Line on the edge of Redbourn, before heading northwards into the open countryside. If time permits why not head into Redbourn with its historic common and High Street. Redbourn's name derives from 'reedy stream'. It is believed that the country's first cricket club was established on the common in 1666.
Gaddesden Row
This straight road follows the line of an important pre historic track from the regional capital of the Catuvillauni tribe at Verlamion near St. Albans. This trackway was an important link to the Icknield Way, following the line of the Dunstable Downs.
Water End and Potten End
Take extra care descending the steep hill after Briden's Camp and when turning right at Water End. This is where the often pictured river Gade flows under two bridges and is only three miles from its source in the chalk hills. A steady climb will then take you up to Potten End. The village of Potten End with its attractive green and pond lies on the fringe of the Ashridge estate. It is the site of medieval potteries from which the first part of its name is derived. There are several places around the area with the word 'End' in their name. It is thought that this word was given to a clearing in the woodland which covered much of the area in the Norman and Medieval periods.
Refreshments
There are pubs in all of the villages along the route, where refreshments can be bought. Or alternatively why not take a picnic and enjoy a snack in the open air? Hemel Hempstead has ample free parking and all the facilities of a large town. A Park and Ride facility can be found in Gadebridge Park, where toilets are open all year round.
Waymarking
Signs like this are positioned to guide you round the route in anti-clockwise direction. This will make the majority of the turns left turns, thus your journey will be a little safer.
Safety
- This is not an off road route, you will meet cars and other vehicles on the roads during your trip.
- Wear a safety helmet.
- Ensure your bike is safe to ride.
- After dark you are required by law to display working lights.
- Wear brightly coloured clothes with reflective material.
- Treat pedestrians and horses with the respect you expect to get from car drivers.
- Get a bell and use it to warn others of your approach.
- Always ride in single file when roads are narrow or busy, and never more than two abreast
- Always follow the advice for cyclists given in the Highway Code.
Rights of Way symbols you might see
|
Yellow arrows indicate footpaths for pedestrian use only |
| Blue arrows indicate bridleways for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrian use only |
| Red arrows indicate Byways Open to All Traffic (BOAT) for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians and may be legally used by other wheeled vehicles |
| Black arrows indicate Roads Used as Public Paths (RUPP) for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians and may be legally used by other wheeled vehicles |
Maps
This map is based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Hertfordshire County Council 100019606 2004.
The Ordnance Survey mapping included within this web-site is provided by Hertfordshire County Council under licence from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfill its public function to provide information relating to its activities, services and plans. Persons viewing this mapping should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice where they wish to license Ordnance survey mapping for their own use.
See the Ordnance Survey site for more information.
This cycle ride and leaflet has been produced with the support of Hertfordshire County Council's Environment Department and the Countryside Management Service.
This is one of a series of waymarked cycle rides throughout Herfordshire. Look out for others on this website, or for the leaflets in local libraries and cycle shops.
