Potters Bar - North Mymms Park - Welham Green - Waterend loop v3

WP01 Start/end

WP02

Cross the road and look for a green Public Footpath sign to the left of the metal gates.

WP03

Cross the road but do not go through the green gate as this is the wrong side of the stream and you won't be able to cross the stream further along. Look for the "Public Footpath" sign in the trees. Take the footpath to the right of the stream.

WP04

Turn right here

WP05

Go to the right of the house and follow the waymarked path up the hill, to the left of the hedge and the large tree.

WP06

Take the public footpath across the field towards the clump of trees

WP07

Look for green public footpath signs at clump of trees. Just past the trees where the path forks take the left fork

WP08

Take left fork and follow path across field of crops to wooden electricity pole by stream

WP09

Follow the yellow waymark arrow on the pole that points to the right. Walk along the strip of grass to the right of the stream.

WP10

At this point, the route of the public right of way shown on the 2015 Definitive Map & Statement of Public Rights of Way in Hertfordshire crosses the stream (Mimmshall Brook) by a ford (no footbridge or stepping stones) and then goes north-west diagonally across the field to Warrengate Road. As of May 2019, the path across the stream to Warrengate Road is impassable because even if you ford the stream, there is no stile to cross the fence and get out to Warrengate Road on the other side of the field. The shortest route to avoid this obstruction on the public right of way is to continue north along the edge of the field on the east side of the stream to Hawkshead Lane. This issue has been reported to Ramblers Pathwatch. Footnote: The route of this public right of way, (Footpath Potters Par 012) and all others in Hertfordshire can be found on The Definitive Map & Statement of Public Rights of Way in Hertfordshire See http://webmaps.hertfordshire.gov.uk/row/row.htm

WP11

The path that avoids the obstruction on footpath Potters Bar 12 (see WP10 description above) reaches Hawkshead Lane here. Turn left and go over the bridge.

WP12

Go up the hill to B197 Swanland Road

WP13

Take the path on the other side of B197 Swanland Road and go over the footbridge over the A1(M) motorway.

WP14

After crossing the bridge over the A1(M), continue west

WP15

Rhododendrons (an invasive non-native species) grow beside the path in Hawkshead Wood and these are in flower late May

WP16

Path in Hawkshead Wood

WP17

Turn sharp right and go uphill between the gate posts. It is only private for vehicles but there is also a green Public Bridleway sign so it is a public right of way for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

WP18

Continue straight on, to the right of the house.

WP19

Public Bridleway North Mymms 002 through North Mymms Park

WP20

Public Bridleway North Mymms 002 through North Mymms Park

WP21

Go past the Give Way sign and turn sharp left to North Mymms Church

WP22

Follow green Public Footpath sign along path to the left of the chruch

WP23

Take grassy path left across the church yard to a gate

WP24

Cross the drive way and continue on public footpath the other side of the drive way

WP25

There is a distant view of North Mymms house from the public footpath at this point

WP26

After crossing the footbridge over the river, follow the yellow waymarks across the field.

WP27

Continue north-north-west across the field to a gate in the corner of the field. The path is not very clear here so GPS is useful or follow a compass bearing of 340 degrees

WP28

Go through the gate, cross Tollgate road and go through the gate on the other side of the road. Turn left and take the permissive path west-north-west along the edge of the field parallel to Tollgate Road. As this is a permissive path not a right of way, it could be closed at any time. Do not walk along Tollgate Road as it is narrow with fast traffic.

WP29

Turn right on public footpath across field signposted to Welham Green. Path follows a line of trees.

WP30

Continue across the field following the line of trees and marker posts

WP31

Footpath continues across the field then turns left along the edge of the field for 50 metres then up some steps to the bridge over the motorway.

WP32

After crossing the bridge over the A1(M), turn left and walk north for 150 metres

WP33

Take footpath North Mymms 028A across the field. GPS or compass are useful here (bearing of 78 degrees magnetic). If the field is ploughed or muddy then it is possible to take a detour of about 400 metres by continuing north to Dellsome Lane.

WP34

Continue on footpath North Mymms 028A across the field and join Dellsome Lane at the northern corner of Bush Wood. Turn right along Dellsome Lane which has a tarmac surface. Continue along Dellsome Lane passing Bush Wood on your right. Look out for bluebells in early May but note that there is no public right of way through Bush Wood. Continue along Dellsome Lane to Welham Green

WP35

At the cross roads with Dixons Hill Road by the Daihatsu car showroom, continue straight on along Dellsome Lane which joins Station Road. Note that Station Road in Welham Green doesn't go to Welham Green Station, it goes to Brookmans Park Station because there was no station at Welham Green until 1986. Alternatively, it is possible to take the train back to Potters Bar if you turn left at the cross roads and go along Dixons Hill Road to Welham Green Station.

WP36

The Sibthorpe Arms pub

WP37

Continue straight ahead at the junction. Bus shelter has a display board with photos showing the history of the local area.

WP38

Turn right off the road taking public footpath across field

WP39

Turn left, continuing on the public footpath with a yellow waymark arrow. Do not continue along the edge of the field as it is not a public right of way.

WP40

This is the start of the Waterend area of swallow holes, a geological feature where streams go underground. Take the right fork and continue on public footpath that goes past swallow holes and over a footbridge. This is the best way through the swallow holes area as it is normally passable even in very wet weather. Although it is possible to take the left fork, this will involve crossing a small stream without a bridge and is only passable in dry weather. Other public footpaths in the area may be waterlogged or flooded in wet weather.

WP41

Turn left and continue on public footpath that goes over boardwalk to join the road.

WP42

Take the left fork along Warrengate Road, passing The Woodman pub.

WP43

Half-timbered house on Warrengate Road

WP44

Cross the footbridge bridge over the bed of the stream, which is often dry then turn left

WP45

Continue straight on through the gate

WP46

Hawkshead Bridge. Cross the road and continue along the lineside path

WP47

Turn left on Hertfordshire Way, go under the railway then turn right and follow the footpath the other side of the railway.

WP48

The public footpath goes across the golf course on a grassy path with some waymark arrows. It is less obvious than some other gravel paths that are used by golfers but which are not public rights of way. Keep a small stream on the right and do not cross the stream until waypoint WP51which is 500 metres further on.

WP49

The public footpath goes across the golf course with a small stream on the right. Do not cross the stream until waypoint WP51

WP50

Continue on the public footpath across the golf course following the waymark arrows and keeping a small stream on the right. Do not cross the stream until waypoint WP51

WP51

Look for a yellow waymark arrow on a post pointing to the right. Cross the stream and walk up a path under trees between two hedges. When you get to the road, turn left along Mountway then right along Church Road and follow Darkes Lane and back to Potters Bar station.