The Abbey Flyer walks
Park Street to St Albans: a walk along the River Ver, and a train journey
| Distance: | 2.5 miles/4.5km |
|---|---|
| Time: | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Rating: | Easy, some steps. Very wet in winter, wellingtons are recommended; in summer, wear sturdy shoes |
| Starting point: | Park Street station show
me on a map (Finishes at St Albans Abbey Station) |
Route description
The Abbey Flyer runs between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey stations.
For train times call the Intalink Traveline on 0870 608 2 608
Start by taking the Abbey Flyer to Park Street Station
The Abbey Flyer waymarks (shown below) will guide you along this walk from Park Street to StAlbans.. You can return to the start by taking the train back to Park Street.
- Turn left out of Park Street station and follow the road to Burydell Lane.
- Cross the river and pass under the A414.
- Cross back over the river then, keeping it on your left, follow it all the way to the road.
- Turn left at Cottonmill Lane and follow the road along the edge of St Albans
- Turn right at the signpost to Sopwell Mill Farm and then left to cross the play ground to the river.
- Turn left for St Albans Abbey station.
Points of interest
Most of this walk follows the River Ver, which rises north of Redbourn and joins the River Colne at Bricket Wood. The Ver is a classic chalk stream - shallow with gravel beds and clear water. Chalk streams are one of Europe s most threatened habitats. They support some our most threatened plants and animals and contribute to the beauty of the landscape.
The Ver Valley Meadows are flood meadows, a valuable habitat supporting a diverse range of grasses, rushes and sedges. The meadows are regularly grazed and this management regime maintains the diverse mosaic of plants. A number of birds can be spotted using the meadows - kingfishers feed here and use the banks of the river to nest in. Bats use the river and nearby lakes and ponds for drinking and feeding. They use local features such as old barns, mills and trees to roost in.
Bats can be easily spotted swooping over the river just after dusk in the summer months. The Chalk Streams Project has been set up in the Chilterns to protect this natural asset and to raise awareness of their importance to biodiversity.
If you are walking with a dog, please ensure it is kept under control when there is livestock in the meadows.
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.
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