Walk 55: Ayot North-East Loop

3.2 miles (5.2km) with 65m total ascent

 

A pleasant circular from Ayot St Lawrence down to the River Mimram and back mostly on footpaths. The walk offers some great open views across the Hertfordshire countryside. And there is an option at the start and finish point for refreshments at The Brocket Arms. Check opening times.

Directions

Walk 55: Ayot North-East Loop
Created on Map Hub by Hertfordshire Walker
Elements © Thunderforest © OpenStreetMap contributors
There is an interactive map at the end of these directions

Those with GPS devices can download GPX or KML files for this walk. We've added What3Words location references for those who use that system. If you print these walks you might want to use the green PrintFriendly icon at the bottom of these directions to delete elements such as photographs.

Park along Hill Farm Lane at Ayot St Lawrence close to The Brocket Arms, (location - https://w3w.co/elaborate.blame.edgy). Head NE along the lane (left as you face the pub) for 75m until you reach the bend.

1: Here you turn left and head NE down Ayot St Lawrence bridleway 10 for 20m looking out for a path on your right. This is Ayot St Lawrence footpath 3 (location - https://w3w.co/sofa.neck.button). Follow this footpath for 1.4km as it heads NE, passing Brimstone Wood on the left, becomes a track and drops down through a farm yard and out to Kimpton Road (location - https://w3w.co/beard.reach.lonely).

2: Turn left and head NNW for 90m until you reach a road junction. Here you turn right on Heath Hill and head NE for 190m, crossing a bridge over the River Mimram at Codicote Bottom, and continuing until you reach a bridleway on the left (location - https://w3w.co/exist.item.solid).

3: Turn left on this track, Codicote bridleway 17, and head NW for 970m until you come to a footpath sign and gate on your left (location - https://w3w.co/harp.issues.toxic).

4: Take this path, Codicote footpath 18 and head WSW for 30m to where it drops down to the river. This is a lovely spot to stop and watch the clear water of the Mimram. Continue heading WSW for another 150m across a field, across a footbridge and emerge on Kimpton Road (location - https://w3w.co/cards.arrow.quite).

5: Turn right and head W along Kimpton Road for 40m before taking a bridleway on your left opposite Kimpton Mill (location - https://w3w.co/drive.crate.chose). Follow this track, Codicote bridleway 38, as it heads SW uphill for 980m to Tanyard Lane (location - https://w3w.co/allow.beam.camp).

6: Here you turn right and head SW along Tanyard Lane for 120m until it bends left. At this point you will see a footpath straight ahead (location - https://w3w.co/flat.adults.certified). Take this path, Codicote footpath 37, and continue heading SW for another 420m with the field on your right and the hedgerow on the left until you reach a gate (location - https://w3w.co/zips.pill.meant).

7: Go through the gate, turn left into an open field usually populated by sheep and head SSE for 300m on Ayot St Lawrence footpath 5 to a gate leading to Ayot St Lawrence new church (location - https://w3w.co/beans.given.orbit).

8: Go through the gate and take the path on your left, still Ayot St Lawrence footpath 5, and head SE for 310m back to Ayot St Lawrence. When you reach the lane (location - https://w3w.co/mull.cave.boring) turn left and head NE for 120m back to the starting point passing the ruins of Ayot St Lawrence old church on the left.

Interactive map

---