Walk 64: Gustard Wood Loop

1.5 miles (2.3 km) with 22m total ascent

The bluebells in Lamer Wood picture taken April 29, 2018

This is a great walk at Easter when wild daffodils spread a yellow carpet either side of the path through Lamer Wood. A few weeks later it’s the turn of the bluebells to flood the area with light blue. Amazing how the same woodland can change so much in the space of a few weeks. All year round it’s a popular spot for woodland birds.

This walk is fairly flat all the way but can get muddy in places after rain. The route starts and finishes in a small car park off Lamer Lane, the B651. There is the opportunity of refreshments at The Cross Keys when open.

Directions

Map for Walk 64: Gustard Wood 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 in the small lay-by off Lamer Lane (location - https://w3w.co/minds.tips.waddled), or, if that is busy, there is an alternative start and finish at The Cross Keys pub on Ballslough Hill (location - https://w3w.co/sports.panels.neon). I checked with the staff at the pub and they say they are happy for walkers to park in their car park if they are having a drink or meal there before or after the walk.

1: From the lay-by off Lamer Lane head E (away from the road) into Gustard Wood until the path meets a Wheathampstead bridleway 101. Turn right and follow the bridleway S for 340m until you meet the Lamer Lane again (location - https://w3w.co/obey.dine.ships).

The path running S from Gustard Wood at the beginning of the walk

2: Turn left on Lamer Lane and after 40m turn left heading E along a lane (location - https://w3w.co/final.spoken.salon), which is also Wheathampstead footpath 37. Continue uphill for 240m looking out for a footpath on your left (location - https://w3w.co/kicks.enable.clap) that takes you into the Lamer Wood.

3: Take this path, Wheathampstead footpath 85, and head N through Lamer Wood for 850m. This is where you will find the carpet of bluebells when in season.

Bluebells to the east of the path through Lamer Wood

Spring blossom falling like snow on the path through Lamer Wood

4: When you reach the top of the woods you come to a gate leading into a field (location - https://w3w.co/splash.cabin.link). Turn left and head SW on Kimpton footpath 12  until you reach Ballslough Hill (location - https://w3w.co/dunes.soap.loans). This bit can be muddy after rain.

5: Turn left on Ballslough Hill and head SW passing The Cross Keys on the right.

6: After 70m take the bridleway on your left (location - https://w3w.co/quest.mats.rocky) and head S through Gustard Wood. This is Wheathampstead bridleway 101 again. Follow this path for 320m looking out for a path on your right back to the lay-by where you parked at the start of the walk.

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Interactive map

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