Description
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Hatfield and Hertford.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Hatfield and Hertford.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
This route has potentially been flagged (1 time) for reasons relating to access.
Photos for Hather one
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Maybe (1)
Problems reported - Access (1)
Downloads - 4
Surveys
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Hatfield
Grid Ref
TL2326608757
Lat / Lon
51.76394° / -0.21519°
Easting / Northing
523,266E / 208,757N
What3Words
most.play.pinks
Hertford
Grid Ref
TL3297012917
Lat / Lon
51.79910° / -0.07306°
Easting / Northing
532,970E / 212,917N
What3Words
await.bend.march
Hather One's land is
Hatfield | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | TL2326608757 |
Lat / Lon | 51.76394° / -0.21519° |
Easting / Northing | 523,266E / 208,757N |
What3Words | most.play.pinks |
Hertford | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | TL3297012917 |
Lat / Lon | 51.79910° / -0.07306° |
Easting / Northing | 532,970E / 212,917N |
What3Words | await.bend.march |
Arable | 6.3% |
Other agricultural land | 6.2% |
Pasture | 36.2% |
Urban | 44.8% |
Woods | 6.5% |
Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018
review
Colin Rice
09 Jan 2022The natural route for walking from Hertford to Hatfield is unfortunately obstructed by the huge estate of Hatfield House. No one wants to walk along the verge of the busy A414, so walking routes have to go way to the south, or - as 'Hather One' does - to the north.
I walked this on a crisp January day from Hertford to Hatfield.
Coming out of Hertford along West Street, I would recommend staying on West Street rather than following the path behind the back of the houses as the 'Hather One' route shows. It doesn't offer views or any other advantage.
The next part, along the lovely Cole Green Way, is always delightful and it has recently had some maintenance so is dry under foot. Between the railway viaduct and Hertingfordbury there is a nice path parallel to the Cole Green Way which on a sunny day in winter has lovely views over the fields. When it's wet and windy, the Cole Green Way itself is rather more sheltered.
The portion of the 'Hather One' route between the A414 and Howlands road in Welwyn Garden City is not clearly defined and was very muddy for most of the way. At the junction of the Cole Green Way with the A414, the route as currently shown follows the south side of the A414 for 400m, the asphalt footpath turning into a verge after 300m. You then have to cross the busy dual carriageway where you see a footpath sign leading through a small wood. This route is hardly used and not comfortable underfoot. On the far side of the wood, the official footpath goes over the crown of the former landfill site, before veering to the west. The signing at this point is not clear. I incorrectly followed a fence line around to the west until I met an old and very muddy track heading north-west. I followed this for about 500m until I was relieved to find the official path coming in from the east. On the terrain view of Google maps there is no hint that the official path is used. The path then drops westwards down to Holwell Hyde Lane, which takes one north into the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City. Some map-reading is required to find the right way through back-alleys and bits of open space to get to Howlands, the main distributor road running through the south part of Welwyn. The road has wide grassy verges with trees so is quite pleasant: it would be easier and quite satisfactory to stay on Howlands as far as the QEII hospital, but the 'Hather One' route diverts through some muddy playing fields (Archers Ride Park).
From the hospital to Mill Green, the route is mainly through the Mill Green Golf Club. Crossing golf courses in use is never pleasant for walkers, so I didn't enjoy this section, although there are good views to the south and Hatfield House park.
At Mill Green, I would recommend going past the attractive old water mill and taking the foot path up to the A1000. It's quicker and more interesting than the official route which does an unnecessary dog-leg.
The walk into Hatfield along the A1000 is a bit dull at first, so it's nice to veer off onto the quiet Old Hertford Road and approach the station through the Old Town.
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David Thomas
10 Feb 2022I agree with this. I think you would better staying on the Cole Green way until the end where it meets the road (Cole Green lane) then turn left then left again onto Holwell Hyde lane. or even stay on Cole Green Lane to Howlands though this would be longer but easier to navigate.
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