Barbed wire, a castle, a windmill and Eric Morecambe
31 people attending
19 places left
An unusual corner of the Herts/Beds borders, taking in a variety of features unique to the area.
We will set off from Luton Airport Parkway Station and walk uphill to Someries Castle, a 15th Century example of an early brick built Manor House, constructed on the site of a Norman castle. From there we will skirt around the back of the perimeter fence at Luton Airport before passing through a number of small villages to the East of Luton.
We'll pause at a windmill that sits at the top of a ridge on the Chiltern Hills before heading south along the Chiltern Way towards Peter's Green and the disused Welwyn to Leighton Buzzard railway line. We'll follow the line back towards Luton Airport, passing the back of the Luton Hoo estate with its landscaped lake on the River Lea. Finally, we'll pass the ironwork silhouette tribute to the well known Harpenden-based comedian, a life-long fan of Luton Town Football Club.
Here is an approximate map of the route: https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/route/10420911/luton-airport
For those coming by car, details of the carpark, which should cost around £3, can be found here: https://www.apcoa.co.uk/parking-in/luton/luton-airport-parkway-station/…;
For those coming by train, there should be a suitable train from St.Pancras that arrives shortly before 10am, subject to any future timetable changes. Further details can be found here: https://ticket.thameslinkrailway.com/search
Photos: Rob Hughes, and used by OutdoorLads with full permission.
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What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
Bring food and drink suitable for a day hike in the winter e.g. water, flask, snacks, sandwiches etc. We will not pass any shops so please be prepared to carry what you need.