The Abbey Flyer walks
St Albans: Verulamium
| Distance: | 3.5km (2 miles) |
|---|---|
| Time: | 1 to 1½ hours |
| Rating: | Easy, suitable for pushchairs. The paths are almost all surfaced, so this walk can be done at any time of year. |
| Starting point: | St Albans Abbey station show me on a map |
The Abbey Flyer runs between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey stations. For train times call the Intalink Traveline on 0870 608 2 608
Route description
Start by taking the Abbey Flyer to St Albans Abbey Station
The Abbey Flyer waymarks (shown below) will guide you around this circular walk. Follow the route in a clockwise direction.
- From the Station cross Holywell Hill using the pedestrian crossing. Follow the drive past Westminster Lodge sports and leisure centre.
- Either follow the footpath through the churchyard or cross through the car park in front of the museum
- Climb Abbey Mill Lane and turn right towards the Abbey, just before the Arch
- At the south entrance to the Abbey turn right and go down the hill.
- Cross the River Ver using the footbridge and then cross Holywell Hill to return to the Station.
Points of interest
Verulamium Park hosts a large lake and the River Ver, a chalk stream starting north of Redbourn. Chalk streams are an internationally rare wildlife habitat: they support some of our most threatened plants and animals and contribute to the beauty of the landscape.
Many birds, including herons, nest on the island in the centre of the lake, where they are safe from predators. Bats use the river and lake for drinking and feeding, and roost in nearby features such as old barns, mills and trees. They can be seen swooping over the lake at dusk in the summer months.
Chalk streams like the Ver are fed from groundwater. Groundwater is stored in layers of chalk rock which soak up water like a sponge; this is known as the aquifer. At various points the water emerges in the form of springs which feed the river. Our water is taken from the aquifer too; we can help to protect the River Ver and its wildlife by using water wisely in our homes
The Chilterns Chalk Streams Project is working with local communities to conserve chalk streams and their wildlife and to promote enjoyment and understanding of the countryside.
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.
Download the leaflet
verulamium.pdf 260kB
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