Hitchin and Pegsdon Hills, Hertfordshire

The start of this route is through the alleyways and lanes of suburban Hitchin, but soon gives way to open countryside once we reach Hitchin Hill, and shortly after the Hiz river, from which the town derives it’s name. 

From here we’ll make our way along the Windmill Lane, one of many traffic free lanes that bisect this area, with wide open views across arable fields and on towards the village of Great Offley. Then onwards along the Chiltern Way and bridlepaths across fields and through woods towards Telegraph Hill, and shortly after Pegsdon Hill and Hoo Bit Nature Reserve. This is an area incorporated into the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We’ll break for lunch here and admire the view of Deacon Hill, the flat bottomed valley below, and across Hertfordshire beyond. 

After lunch we’ll make our way past through the hamlet of Pegsdon and then uphill towards Knocking Hoe Nature Reserve. Following Wood Lane onwards towards the village of Pirton where we will pause at the Motte and Bailey pub for a drink. After which we turn the corner to pass the village church, and the site of the motte-and-double bailey after which the pub is named. 

Crossing open country we’ll start heading back in the direction of Hitchin, this final leg will follow the River Oughton, a clear running chalk stream, fringed by mature alder and willow woodland, and then across Oughtonhead Common to the outskirts of Hitchin. The town centre has some quaint arcades and an attractive market square surrounded by Tudor and Georgian buildings. A location sufficiently photogenic as to appear as the fictional town centre of Parminster in the last series of BBC's Doctor Foster.

To complete this route in daylight we will need to keep a keen pace throughout, although we should arrive at the outskirts of Hitchin before sunset.

The beginning and end of this route are on tarmac paths that can be less than scenic, but on a more positive note will be free of mud!