Chilterns Country – The Bulbourne Valley Water Walk
| Distance: | Short route: 2 miles/3.5km canal towpaths, several stiles Long route: 3.5 miles/6km rolling hills, no stiles |
|---|---|
| Time: | short route – 1 hour, long route – 2/3 hours |
| Starting and finish: | The Cow Roast Inn, Cow Roast, near Tring |
Route description
Close to the Cow Roast Inn lies the source of the River bulbourne, once a full and fast flowing river. Like the other chalk streams in the Chilterns, the Bulbourne today is little more than a trickle, due in part to the increasing quantity of water needed by a growing population.
The Bulbourne has been the main source of water for the Grand Junction (now Grand Union) Canal since it was completed in 1797. the new canal linked London with the coalfields of the Midlands and was the only one to be built across the Chilterns. Ensuring a constant supply of water in a region of permeable chalk was an engineering challenge that required the building of reservoirs, pumps and boreholes.
Water was extracted in this area for industrial purposes as long ago as the first century, when iron was produced at Cow Roast, drawing from 14 well shafts. This important Roman settlement grew up along the Roman Road, Akeman Street, now the A4251.
Water is still extracted from a borehole situated at the top of Tom’s Hill. This is the site of the family owned business that bottles Chiltern Hills Natural Mineral Water. Having spent more than 50 years slowly filtering through layers of chalk, the water is drawb from the source 300 feet below the unspoilt National Trust woodland. The countryside here is uncultivated, and the water source is consequently low in nitrates yet rich in other minerals that have valuable functions in maintaining a healthy life. The water is particularly high in calcium due to its journey through the chalky countryside and this is the principal mineral for health bones and teeth.
How to get to Cow Roast
Tring station is a 2.5 kilometre walk away along the canal towpath. Bus numbers 30 and 322 stop outside the Cow Roast Inn on Mondays to Saturdays. Cyclists can use the canal towpath but should obtain a cycle permit from British Waterways on 01442 825938. if you need to come by car, please park in the Cow Roast Inn car park. Cow Roast is between Berhamsted and on the A4251.
Notes on the walk
From the Cow Roast Inn cross the road to the canal lock, taking great care of fast traffic, and go left along the canal towpath.
From Newground Road, the first road crossing, take the second track on the right after the railway bridge. On the far side of the field turn left and go upwards to the wood.
For the shorter walk, turn right just before the wood, and over the stile into the next field. From here follow the footpath down to Norcott Farm and return to Cow Roast via the footbridge over the railway.
For the longer walk, go into the wood and up Tom’s Hill (a byway open to all traffic). After the Chiltern Hills Natural Mineral Water bottling site take the first footpath on the right into the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate.
Keep to the boundary of the wood until you see signs for the Icknield Way, then follow these south skirting the edge of Northchurch Common.
Go down the lane past Norcott Court and over the railway until you reach the canal. Turn right along the towpath to return to Cow Roast.
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 is is one of a series of walks through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) supported by the Chilterns Conference.
Please be considerate in the countryside - keep to footpaths, especially through crops, and leave farm gates as you find them.
