The Cole Green Way - Welwyn Hatfield Council

Walking & CyclingThe Cole Green Way& the Hertford to Ware TowpathAn old railway line, canal towpaths, open spacesand quiet roads create a green route from WelwynGarden City to Ware via Hertford. It also formspart of Route 61 of the National Cycle Network.The Cole Green Way proper runs from theoutskirts of Welwyn Garden City at the BlackFan Road / Cole Green Lane junction to WestStreet in Hertford. This rural section follows aformer railway and is suitable for walkers, cyclistsand horse riders. This part of the route is alsoaccessible for disabled visitors at various points.Motorised scooter wheelchairs are probably thebest option due to the nature of the surfacing.There are links at both ends that take walkers andcyclists into Welwyn and Hertford town centres.The link through Hertford joins the towpath alongthe River Lea, taking you to Ware and beyond.It is signposted through the town centre.Enjoy this route for a leisurely walk or ridealongside waterways and rural tracks. It links threeHertfordshire towns with some great countryside.You could even take a circular diversion toexplore local villages near the path.Why not use the path for a journey to work?With traffic congestion particularly heavybetween Hertford and Ware, make the journeyto work an enjoyable experience by cyclingalong side the river. Stanborough Park half mile diversion down theth alongside Stanborough Roadl bring you to Stanborouughkes. Here e you can visit the twoes, hire a boat, go fishing, learnsail or enjoy roaming through6 acres of parkland. Sherrardspark Woods & Ayot GreenwayAstones throw fromthe town centre isSherrardspark rds ark Woods. This 200 acre wood hasmany footpaths ths and bridleways to be exploredamongst the oak and hornbeam trees. es. You canfollow the old railway line through the woodlandas part of the Ayot Greenway to Wheathampsteadsome 31 ⁄ 2miles away. Access is off Digswell Road,the CampusWest car park or Bridge Road. Snaking its way through Hertfordshire’stowns and countryside is theGreat NorthWay cycle route. It is shownas Route 12on the National al Cycle Netwetwork and willeventually link London with Peterboroughand beyond. Look outfor Great NorthWay signs s in and around Welwyn GardenCity where e this cycletrack connects withthe route etoHertforrd. Contact Pedal Pointfor a free leaflet et on the Great North Way.Great North Way Welwyn was the esesecond of Ebenezer Howard’s GardenCities, after Letchworth.Theywere e designed to include the best of both town and country living. The town’smain shopping pin plaza a The Howard Centre being namemed after the settlement’s creator.Welwyn Garden CityA great link exists for walkers who wish to access theCole Green Way from the residential area of Panshanger,connecting the local footpath network together via apleasant walk between the trees. Within the woodlandthere is a circular path and several ponds. Look out fordragonflies darting along the paths in the Summer.Rolls & Blackthorn Woods When you arrive at the old Cole Green station you cantake a break for refreshments at the Cowper Arms pub.Alternatively you can bring your own food and use thepicnic area. a. There e is also a short, easy woodland walk thatincludes carved statues and a pond. Car parking is availableif you wish to start your walk or ride from this point.Cole Green The branch line opened in 1858 connectingHertford with the main line junction atWelwyn prior to the construction of theGarden City. It was closed in 1966 as part ofthe Beeching cuts. Today, the Victorian brickbridges and the platform at Cole Greenremain as the only reminders of its past.The Old Railway

The site has been occupied since the Normaansbuilt their first fortification of the River Lea.The 15th centurygatehouse is all that remains ofHertford Castle which is surrounded by an11thcentury stone andflint curtain. There is plenty ofseating in the pleasant castle groundnds.Hertford Castle The Meads (Kings Meads)These 18th century summerhouses In addition to the leisure centre therewere built in thegardens sofformerThelargestremaining area of grazed are football pitches, tennis courts, a High Street Coaching Inns. ns.riverside flood meadow in Hertfordshire.play areaand trim trail to keep you fit! The rivers and ditches which criss-crossWareHartham Commonthe site traditionally flooded the flat land;In Roman times thetown wasthrivingbut because e of falling water levels thisand remained an important siteduringnow happens less often. This combination the Saxon – Dane conflicnflicts. In later years,of ditches, floodwaodwwater and regular grazingdue to its position between London and has created a rich wetland habitat that isthe barley growingcounties of Suffolk andbecoming very rare inBritain. in. There areCambridgeshireire, it became e aprosperousrouover 20 uncommon on plants found here andcentre for themalting industry.it is an important sitefor birdrds. Claims to be the oldestbuilding in Hertford and isa fine example of Normanarchitecture with an unusualusuawooden spire. The simpleinterior includes a Normanfont, a 13th Century wallpainting and an Anchorithorite‘scell l where a religiouousrecluse once lived.St Leonard’s Church, BengeoHertford Museum Quaker HouseThismeetinghouse istheoldest purpose builtFriends Meeting Housein the world. It was builtin 1670 and remainswell used today.Set at the heart of the town, the museumis located in the old mar rket area of BullPlain in an early 17th Centurytownhouse. It is enhanced byacharmingrecreated ‘Jacobean’ Knot garden ofintertwined ed hedges of boxand lavender.Displays depict Hertford’shistoric past asa royal borough, market fora large ruralralpopulation pulation and county town. Free entry.HertfordThis natural island ismanaged as an otterhabitat, providing thedense, undisturbedriverbank vegetation thatthey need for breeding.Jacob’s Island Hertford isthepleasantcounty town of Hertfordshireand site ofthe first generalsynod of the EnglishChurch in 673AD. It is at theconfluence of four rivers:the Rib, Beane, Mimram andLea. The town developed asa market town andis nowwell connected cted dbby publictransport to London. River Lea GazebosWare Museum houses permanent nt displaysincluding a timeline of Ware’s social,industrial and archaeological history frompre-historic times through to the SecondWorld War. Free entry.Ware Museum AttractionsStanborough Lakes, www.finesseleisure.comTel. 01707 327655Hertford Castle, www.hertford.gov.ukTel. 01992 552885 (Events)Hertford Museum, www.hertfordmuseum.orgTel. 01992 582686Ware Museum, www.waremuseum.org.ukTel. 01920 487848Scotts Grotto (limited opening), www.scotts-grotto.orgWalking & CyclingHertfordshire County Council,www.hertsdirect.org/libsleisure & click on‘Enjoying the Countryside’Tel. 01992 555262Welwyn Hatfield Council, www.welhat.gov.uk/pedalpoint,(includes info on both walking & cycling)Tel. 01707 357551. Free leaflets available onGreat North Way, Ayot Greenway and Alban WayEast Herts Council, www.eastherts.gov.ukTel. 01279 655261pedalPOINTt 01707 357551 The Ordnance Survey mapping data included within this publication is provided by Hertfordshire CountyCouncil under licence from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfil its public function to provide informationrelating to its activities, services and plans. Persons viewing this mapping should contact Ordnance Surveycopyright for advice should they wish to licence Ordnance Survey mapping for their own use. Such mappingis based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crowncopyright 100019606 2005.Cartography, photography, leaflet design and cycling by Stephen Wragg - Wragg Art House: www.wah.co.uk© WAH 2005 Printed on environmentally friendly paperwalking & cyclingThe Cole Green Way& Hertford to Ware Towpath10 mile quiet route betweenWelwyn Garden City, Hertford & Ware