Icknield Way: Therfield Heath
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Join Alex for this ten-mile hike across Hertfordshire hills and heaths.
Our route begins in the North Hertfordshire town of Royston, which lies on the Icknield Way, an ancient road believed to be one of Britain's oldest. We will follow the route of the Icknield Way south out of the town centre and skirt the edge of Therfield Heath, a nature reserve with wide-ranging views as far as Cambridge to the north.
We will head into open countryside gradually ascending to the pleasant village of Therfield. From here our route will take a loop around the small settlement of Kelshall, via the grounds of St Faith's churchyard. Upon leaving Kelshall we will return to Therfield heading towards the tower of St Mary's church where we will stop for lunch.
Heading north, we will descend sharply and may glimpse red kites and herds of deer as we drop down into the farmland below. We will then veer uphill once more and turn east towards Fox's Covert nature reserve, where we will wander through woodlands interspersed with open country views to the north.
Finally, avoiding any stray balls from the local golf club, we will head across Therfield Heath itself. We will pass a number of long barrows, ancient neolithic earthworks, and may see the rare pasqueflower, which blooms around Easter and is only found in a few places in the UK. From Therfield Heath it is a short descent back towards the station.
Don't waste that space!
Spring means lots of members looking to get out more so please only book if you know you can make it. If your plans change please free up the space for someone else.
New members
Please feel free to join this as your first OutdoorLads event. If you have any questions then feel free to message me, or go to the "My First Event" section under "About Us".
Is it dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome but please bear in mind not everyone likes dogs as much as you. Some of the fields we cross may contain cattle, horses and/or deer so make sure this will not cause issues before bringing your dog along.
Image / photo credits: All leader's own images - with permission for OutdoorLads to use and reuse
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: jeans are not ideal as they become heavy and cold in the rain. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and shorts are convenient for warm days.
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry.
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer.
Food & drink
We will stop for lunch en route so please bring a packed lunch. Options at Royston station are limited other than a (very) small shop at the station.
We may head to a pub near the station once we have finished the walk.