Countryside Management Service

A Circular Ride from Redbourn

A Circular Ride from Redbourn, visiting Redbournbury, Harpenden and the Nicky Line

Distance:	24 km (15 miles)
Time:	around 4 hours
Rating:	Moderate. Part on roads (some busy sections), part on Nicky Line footpath/cycleway
Starting point:	Redbourn Common show me on a map

Route description

This is one of a series of countryside cycle rides starting in towns and large villages across Hertfordshire. This ride starts in Redbourn where car parking can be found on Redbourn Common. Leaving Redbourn, the ride will take you into the open countryside and onto Redboumbury. Please read the advice on reaching Redbournbury as you will need to dismount and walk for a small distance along the footway next to the A5183.

From Redbournbury you will cycle along quiet lanes towards the edges of Harpenden. Take extra care when turning right from Wheathampstead Road into Leasey Bridge Lane - less experienced cyclists may wish to dismount on the verge before crossing. When leaving the disused railway line into Crabtree Lane you will need to dismount and lift your bicycle over a low bridge parapet before joining residential streets. Take care cycling in Harpenden as some roads may be busy. The Nicky Line footpath and cycleway provides pleasant car free stretches back towards Redbourn, where again care should be taken on busier road sections.

The route covers a distance of 15 miles (24 Km) based on tarmac roads and the Nicky Line. Please read this leaflet carefully before starting your ride noting in particular details on safety advice. It is advisable to use an Ordnance Survey Landranger map (no.166) to make the most of your cycle ride.

Points of interest

Redbourn

It is believed that Redbourn's name derives from 'reedy stream'. The first settlers to arrive in Redbourn were a Betgic tribe called 'Catuvillauni' originating from between the Rhine and the Seine – who were forced northwards from St. Albans after Caesar's invasion. Redboum's Common is steeped in history being the believed burial place of a Saxon saint and the home of the country's first ever Cricket Club established in 1666. The ride takes you westwards towards Hemel Hempstead - take extra care when descending the hill towards and then crossing the B487 - this junction does get busy at times.

Redbournbury

To get to Redbournbury it is recommended that you dismount at the junction of Punchbowl Lane, cross the A5183 to the opposite footway, and walk upto Redbournbury Lane. Remember it is against the law to cycle on any footway. Take extra care when crossing as this is a fast section of road.

Redbournbury's original water mill is included in the Domesday Book- The mill which you see today has been recently restored to full working order by its owners. Refreshments are available during the summer when the mill is open with displays and exhibition areas. As you cross the bridge over the mill stream notice the 'spiling' carried out by the Countryside Management Service in 1995. This is an ancient form of bank stabilisation using poles cut from willows on the River bank. You will need to dismount to cross the narrow footbridges across the fords of the River Ver.

Harpenden

Still considered by many as a large village Harpenden grew in size after the arrival of the Railways. Harpenden at the turn of the century became increasingly attractive to London commuters. Many parts of Harpenden still retain an open 'countryside feel' with its common land and greens totalling nearly 250 acres. The Common once housed a funfair and was a popular meeting place for horse race meetings. Harpenden is also home to Rothamsted Park and Agricultural Research Centre, famous nationally for fertiliser and crop research.

The Nicky Line

Dismount and use the pedestrian crossing on the Luton Road to join Moreton End Lane which eventually takes you up onto the Nicky Line. Formerly a branch line of the London to Birmingham Railway, the line ran from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead to link the straw plait industry with the Luton hat trade. The Nicky Line will provide long uninterrupted stretches of car free track. Please give way to walkers at all times. The surface should be suitable for most cycles but may be bumpy at times. Take extra care when crossing the Redbourn Bypass and when entering Redbourn and its High Street.

Refreshments

There are plenty of pubs along the route where refreshments can be bought or why not take a picnic and enjoy a meal in the open air? Redboum and Harpenden have many facilities including banks and shops. For further information about the local area visit St. Albans Tourist Information Centre or the library at Harpenden or Redbourn.

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

More about Rights of Way

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.