Views of the Ver Valley - A circular walk from Redbournbury
| Distance: | Short route: 3 miles (5km) Long route: 4 miles (6.5 km) |
|---|---|
| Time: | short route – approximately 2 hours, long route – approximately 2.5 hours |
| Rating: | Moderate, some stiles, hills and steps. Paths can be muddy under foot, Wellingtons recommended in winter, sturdy boots or shoes in summer. |
| Starting points: | Either Redbourn commone or Redbournbury Mill |
| Refreshments: | There are a number of opportunities to stop on the route for refreshments including public houses in Chruch End, on the common and in Redbourne High Street. |
Route description
The river Ver is a chalk stream that rises near Kensworth, in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Chalk streams are a globally rare habitat. With their clear waters and stable conditions, they are able to support many plants and animals, including rare species like the water vole.
Chalk streams are fed from groundwater. This is stored in the aquifer – layers of chalk that soak up water like a sponge. At various points the water emerges in the form of springs that feed the streams.
We take our water from the aquifer too; we can help protect the river Ver and its wildlife by using water wisely in our homes.
Flood meadows
Farmed traditionally, the mosaic of wet grassland, marsh and stream has long been an area important for wildlife, including many species that are rare or declining nationally. The meadows support a diverse community of birds. Finches, thrushes, waders and wildfowl spend the winter here and other birds breed on the meadows in summer.
The production of watercress was an important industry in Redbourn from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. The river Ver had the qualities that watercress needs to thrive: clean water with cool and constant temperatures. The industry declined in Redbourn however, the disused watercress beds still provide a haven for freshwater wildlife.
Redbourn common
Redbourn Common, owned and managed by Redbourn Parish Council, is an area in excess of 30 acres of species rich semi natural grassland. This sort of habitat is rare in Hertfordshire and has to be managed in a particular way to ensure the survival of its diverse range of animals and plants. It would have been grazed bu the commoner’s animals. Although these grazing rights still exist, they are no longer exercised and the common is mown.
Redbournbury Mill
Redbournbury watermill was almost certainly built on the site of a Domesday mill, flour has been ground here for over 900 years. The mill has been rebuilt on at least three occasions following fires, the most recent of which was in 1987.
The mill is now established as a museum and is the only working mill on this river, producing stoneground flour.
Silk Mill House – Redbourn museum
Silk Mill House, on the common, next door to The Cricketers pub, houses Redbourn’s museum. Its exhibits range from Roman times to the present, including stones and carvings found locally, originating from a medieval priory. It is open to the public at weekends.
The house was built in 1857 for the manager of Woolam’s Silk Mill which was on this site until 1938. her raw imported silk was thrown into thread suitable for weaving. Later the site was used by the Brooke Bond Tea Company for packaging tea and the house was given to the village when they left in 1999.
Long route
- Follow the avenue of lime trees across the common towards the village centre
- Take the path into the woodland and then follow it around the edge of the golf course
- Turn right and follow the track around the edge of the first ford. Nbotice the lumps of puddingstone here, a conglomerate of stone unique to this part of the country. The track goes over another ford and beside the mill.
- at Do-Little Mill House pass through two kissing gates and follow the narrow path alongside a horse paddock.
Short route
- From the car park head down past the play area, on to the Nicky Line. Turn left.
- After crossing the High Street on the bridge, leave the Nicky Line via the Old Station Site – now a picnic area. Taking the steps down turn left onto the High Street and cross the main road at the roundabout.
- Leave the road by climbing the steps and going through a kissing gate into a field.
- Join the long route and head down towards Redbournbury Mill picking up notes on the long route at point 3.
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.
