Hertsmere Cycle Loops

Route description

Four leisure cycle rides

Aldenham Off Road Loop

5.7 miles/9km, gently undulating

Most of this route is along bridleways. Cyclists have the right to use bridleways provided they give way to walkers and horse riders when they meet. Sections of the bridleway are not surfaced and it can become quite muddy when wet – this is why it has been recommended as a summer route.

In the pretty village of Aldenham is the church of St John the Baptist. This impressive building dates mostly from the 14th and 15th centuries and occupies the site of a previous Saxon church built by King offa of Mercia in 785 ad. The churchyard still bears the scars of being bombed in the second world war and the tower contains blocks of distinctive Hertfordshire Puddingstone; an unusual conglomerate consisting of rounded flint pebbles held together in natural silica and sand cement. The River Ver joins the Colne and then flows south through Watford via an ecologically important floodplain grazed by cattle. Poplars and willows line the river and watercourses. The stretch of the river between Otterspool and where the Ver and Colne join is particularly tranquil and secluded. It also contains the sites of several Roman villas.

Wall Hall is visible from a public footpath just off the cycle route. It was built in 1802 and was used during the Second World War to train members of the European resistance movements. The Round Bush pub in Round Bush serves refreshments through the day.

Borehamwood Loop 7.8 miles/12.6km gently undulating

Elstree and Borehamwood’s first film studios were built in 1914. six more studios followed, and Elstree became known as the British Hollywood, even though all but one were actually in Borehamwood! Many of the studio sites have now been redeveloped, but the show-business link continues with Who wants to be a millionaire, Eastenders, Big Brother and other shows being made here.

Radlett loop

6.6 miles/10.6km gently undulating

‘Muddy pond heath’ is a translation of the original Anglo-Saxon name for Letchmore Heath. This picturesque village is centred around a village green, a pond and a 16th and 17th century cottages. The Three Horseshoes pub on the village green is generally open for refreshments.

The Roman road ‘Watling Street’ runs through the centre of Radlett. Watling Street is derived from Waetlingacaester, the Anglo Saxon name for St Albans.

Shenley Ridge Loop

6.6 miles/10.6km gently undulating

The name Shenley is derived from the Saxon ‘Schoenley’ meaning a clearing in the forest, due to its proximity to London the village propered in the 18th century as London nobles and merchants settled there.

The Porters Mansion estate was developed as Shenley Hospital in 1934 and opened by George V. it was one of several mental hospitals in the area and housed up to 2000 patients. The site has now been redeveloped for housing, leaving the water tower a significant feature in the local landscape.

The 18th century village lock up called the Cage stands by the village pond. Lawbreakers were held there overnight before being taken to Barnet or St Albans. The attractive pond has recently been restored but the Countryside Management Service and the Parish Council. It is thought to be spring fed and almost never dries out.

St Margaret’s church in Ridge is built of flint, weathered stone and Hertfordshire Puddingstone. Puddingstone was believed to have magical properties and was built into the corners of local churches to ward off witches.

Why cycle the Hertsmere cycle loops?

This part of the county is one of fascinating contrasts. All the routes take you through the beautiful scenery of rural Hertfordshire, where you will find tranquil country lanes and villages steeped in history and natural beauty. The Rivers Ver and Colne are featured on the loops and there is also the opportunity to avoid traffic altogether on parts of the off road loop. On the Borehamwood Loop the scenery is a diverse mixture of rural and urban landscape passing close to the world famous Elstree and Borehamwood studios.

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 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.