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Today is Saturday, 4 February, 2012. |
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Amwell Reserve and Buntingford Line Walk by Abigail Hamilton-Thompson  Distance: 5 miles or 8km.
Start: Broadmeads car park off Amwell End. Public Transport: Buses stop outside Ware College and in Amwell End. National Express East Anglia Hertford to Liverpool Street train service stops at Ware. Refreshments: Various cafes and public houses available in Ware town. Things You'll SeeBuntingford Railway Line: The Buntingford Railway Line used to run between Buntingford and St Margarets between 1863 and 1964. Closure was due to a lack of passengers using the service. Remains of the line can be seen along the route.Amwell Nature Reserve: Amwell Nature Reserve is a former gravel pit, once excavated by Cemex Aggregates. It is managed now by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. There are 3 hides allowing sheltered viewpoints over the reserve where you may be able to see otters, bitterns, smew and other birds. There is also a seasonal Dragonfly trail. The Route1. Exit the car park into Amwell End beside the bus shelter and turn left up the street away from the railway line towards the river. Cross over Viaduct Road and take the path beside the river with it on your left passing the former maltings on your right. Pass under a footbridge and continue past Hardmead Lock.2. Upon reaching the next bridge over the river take the steps to the right leading up to the former Buntingford railway line and turn left over the river. Continue in the same direction over a crossroads (you can divert right here to see the hides and viewing post for Amwell Nature Reserve), following a track which forks. Take the right hand fork but continue in the same direction over a bridge and pass the Dragonfly Sanctuary on the right. 3. The track narrows to a path upon reaching the bridge for Cappell Lane which winds between trees. Obvious remnants of the former railway line can be seen here.  Cross a footbridge over a tributary of the River Ash. Ignore the first stile right into a field but cross the next stile into a grassy meadow. Follow the undefined path that follows alongside the River Ash until it soon follows a fence to reach a track. Follow this track in the same direction passing a cottage on the right to reach a crossroads.
4. Turn left here and cross the ford before passing between the farm buildings that comprise Watersplace Farm to reach the Ware to Wareside Road.  5. Continue over the road onto a wide track and follow this passing a house on the right. You will shortly need to bear left onto a green lane when the track bends to the right for Swades and Newhole Farm.
6. Follow this track (Wood Lane) uphill passing a wood on the right. Ignore a track going off to the right and continue between fields to reach the Ware to Wareside road again. 7. Turn right along this road taking care with oncoming traffic towards the town. There is an unofficial path running alongside the left hand side of the road which descends Widbury Hill to a bench and then you can follow the pavement to enter Star Street. 8. Cross the main bridge in the town over the River Lee upon reaching the roundabout and then retrace your steps back to the car park. The MapView Amwell Reserve and Buntingford Line Walk in a larger map Photographs and article by Abigail Hamilton-Thompson |
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