Post Wood and Ware
| Distance: | 1.3 miles/2.1km |
|---|---|
| Rating: | difficult with some steep terrain |
| Time: | Allow at least one hour |
| Starting point: | Ware railway station or Presdales Recreation Ground |
Route description
Ware
Ware has a long history and has always been a busy commercial town, by virtue of its road and river transport links. Historical artefacts dating from the Saxon and Roman periods and later can be seen in the town’s museum. Ware’s malt history is very visible in malt houses that remain in the town, now converted to other uses. Present day industry in the town is dominated by the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals by GlaxoSmithKline. Ware has much to offer the visitor, with a good variety of shops and places to eat and drink.
The New River
The New River is not strictly a river but an aqueduct built in 1613 to supply London with drinking water. Before its construction London’s water supply was limited to the River Thames and local springs and streams. The building of the New River was driven by the needs of London’s expanding population and the demand for uncontaminated fresh water. Today it is still used for the supply of water as well as providing a new long distance footpath of 22.4 kilometres.
Post Wood
Post Wood (also known locally as Presdales Wood) is an ancient woodland, meaning it has been woodland since at least 1600. There are features in the woodland which indicate that it is very old, for instance on the southern boundary there is a steep woodbank against the adjacent field. This bank would have been used in the past to keep animals out of the wood. The major trees in the woodland are pedunculate oak, hornbeam and holly. The woodland has many other types of trees and many species of plants and animals. Post Wood is particularly famed for its display of bluebells during May that form a rich blue carpet on the ground. The open glade has a wonderful display of pinky white wood anemones during the spring also. At any time of the year you can see and hear woodland birds and some of the more interesting species include nuthatch, treecreeper and greater spotted woodpecker that feed on insects living on the tree trunks.
Directions
The route should be followed by referring to the map. If starting from the railway station it is advisable to cross London Road at the start via the pedestrian crossing (after having gone over the level crossing).
If starting from Presdales Recreation Ground car park, enter Post Wood through the second wooden kissing gate from the left hand side of the playing field.
The route around Post Wood is circular. Follow the wooden posts with the white bands around them to find your way. There is a shorter alternative route through the woodland glade.
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.
