A circular walk in Welwyn Hatfield- South Hatfield, Bullen’s Green, Colney heath
| Distance: | |
|---|---|
| Time: | 1.5 – 2 hours |
| Rating: | moderate (flat, some unsurfaced paths may be muddy at times) |
| Starting point: | Hilltop (High View) off Bishops Rise, South Hatfield |
Route description
The walk
From Hilltop shopping centre turn left down Bishop’s Rise and cross into Willow Way, walk down to Lane End by crossing Hazel Grove. Follow the footpath and cycleway toward the A1(M) and through the underpass. Immediately on leaving the underpass a flight of steps on the left takes you up onto the Bullen’s Green Community Forect planting area. Follow the waymarks through the planting area through to Dellsome Lane and into Colney Heath via Fellows Lane. Turn right onto Tollgate Road. The walk joins Colney Heath Common just over Coursers Road bridge and takes you down to the other side of the Common. Cross the River Colne by taking the bridge on Church lane. Turn immediately right back onto the common and take the footpath to Park Lane, continuing to the High Street. Once on Colney Heath High Street the walk heads up to Roestock Lane from where the route crosses farmland back towards Hatfield. Please stick to the paths when crossing private land and remember to close all gates.
Bullen’s Green Area
The Bullen’s Green Community Forest new tree planted area is owned by Hertfordshire County Council and was planted in 1991. A number of paths criss cross the site and you can find out more about it on an information board that you will pass on the walk. The planting area is part of Watling Chase Community Forest – one of twelve community forests being created in England in partnership with landowners, businesses and the local community. Keep your eyes open for kestrels and skylarks hovering above the grassy motorway embankments and around the planting area.
Walking – good for you, good for your health!
Walking on a regular basis helps keep you healthy. So step out into the countryside on your doorstep with this short walk from South Hatfield visting Bullen’s Green and Colney Heath. What better way to look after your health than discovering your local area! Please remember not to stray off paths that cross private land.
Starting points and how to get there
The walk can be started at any point and is easy to reach from South Hatifled. Hilltop shops can be found in High View – just off Bishop’s Rise which is well served by local buses.
Colney Heath
Colney Heath Common remains from the former manorial land of Tyttenhanger, owned by the Abbot of St Albans until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. Later on the heath became the site of illegal boxing matches and cock fighting. Now owned by Colney Heath Parish Council, the common is an important area for nature conservation being one of the few remaining heathland sites in Hertfordshire. Keep your eyes open for heathland plants like heather and gorse, and the many different types of butterfly that live on the common. Also, look out for ‘coal posts’ on coursers lane and just before leaving the common at Park Lane – these posts mark the boundaries inside which duties were levied on goods coming into London by road, rail, or canal.
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.
