Countryside Management Service

A Circular Ride from Bishop's Stortford

A Circular Ride from Bishop's Stortford visiting The Pelhams, The Hormeads, Braughing & Albury

Distance:	43 km (27 miles)
Time:	around 4 hours
Rating:	Moderate. Mostly on-road with short stretch of unsurfaced bridleway
Starting point:	Bishop's Stortford show me on a map

Route description

This ride is one of a series each of them starting and ending in one of the larger towns of East Hertfordshire. This one starts in Bishop's Stortford, briefly crossing into Essex before heading north west to the Pelhams. You will be riding through a diverse countryside of agricultural landscapes, along leafy lanes, past fields, rivers and passing through many picturesque villages.

The ride is 27 miles in length, mainly on tarmac roads, with one short stretch on an unsurfaced bridleway. You can begin your ride at any point along the route, then follow the waymark signs, they will help guide you around the route in an anti-clockwise direction.

Please read the leaflet, and for more information it is recommended that you consult the Ordnance Survey map, or local tourism guides to make the most of your trip to the countryside.

Points of interest

Bishops's Stortford

This is the largest town in East Hertfordshire, the town's name is clearly derived from the river crossing, but the River Stort apparently takes it's name from the town, which predates the rivers earlist mention by several hundred years. The fortification at Waytemore Castle dates back to the ninth century, built as a defence against the Danes, all that remains today is the massive Castle mound. There are many fine old buildings to admire, and a museum dedicated to Cecil Rhodes who was born in the town is situated at the Rhodes Centre and is well worth a visit.

The Pelhams

Three pretty villages with fine churches and a wealth of local history. Brent Pelham still has stocks and whipping post at the church gate, Furneux Pelham has a magnificent church clock tower bearing the inscription "time fiies mind your business", however, there this no need to rush, so take your time and enjoy the rural surroundings.

Braughing

Nestling in the valley of the River Quin the village has the church of St. Mary at its centre, and many excellent examples of timber framed houses. There is a ford across the river, which is not strictly on the ride, but is a pleasant place to rest before continuing your trip.

Refreshments

There are pubs in all villages along the route, where refreshments can be purchased, or why not take a picinic and enjoy a meal in the open air. Bishop's Stortford has all the facilities of a small town making it the ideal starting point for your day out in the countryside.

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.