WatfordBushey

Watbus one
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

3km/2mi

Ascent

46m

Descent

14m

Download this route

Are you sure you want to download this route?

Using a GPX file for the first time?

No, back to route

Give a hike

Pledge to walk this route and help firm up its place in the network - every walk helps.

So far it has been reviewed by seven people and surveyed by one person and

No other people have pledged to review this route.

Your pledged routes will show up in your pledges Waylist.

Every review and survey pledged and then walked will help make the Slow Ways network better, thank you for your help!

Sign up or log in to pledge to walk this route.

Back to route

Save to Waylist

Sign up or log in to save this route so you can find it more easily or plan a longer journey.

More options

Save to my account

Sign up or log in to save this route so you can find it more easily or plan a longer journey.

Print (via Inkatlas)

Survey this route

Review this route

Suggest a better route

Report a problem

Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Watford and Bushey.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Watford and Bushey.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 7 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Watbus one

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 7

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (7)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 7

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 3X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Maybe present Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Bus stop (0)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Not present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Not present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Not present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 90.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 12.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 8.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 3.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unsigned (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

25.0% of the route is on roads (1)

80.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

60.0% of the route is paved (1)

15.0% of the route is muddy (1)

10.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

7.0% of the route is through long grass (1)

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

3X November 2021 by Strider
Read survey

Sign up or log in to get the link to survey this route for Watbus.

Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Watford
Grid Ref TQ1137096101
Lat / Lon 51.65268° / -0.39153°
Easting / Northing 511,370E / 196,101N
What3Words clip.opera.flown
Bushey
Grid Ref TQ1302495274
Lat / Lon 51.64492° / -0.36790°
Easting / Northing 513,024E / 195,274N
What3Words length.quite.career

Watbus One's land is

Pasture 15.0%
Urban 85.0%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


JohnMyerson

12 Sep 2024 Summer

I started at Bushey having walked Busedg two. There are pleasant green sections particularly Oxhey Park. Crossing the road by Bushey Arches is a little awkward. St. James Church in Bushey is worth a look inside. It's 14th Century with 1870 additions. There are cafes in Bushey High Street and toilets in the Rose Garden (450 metres east of the church). The Tasty Bean Café (after crossing the river by the Activity Centre) looks good. Currently there's work on the footpath at Dalton Way so you walk safely in a fenced off part of the road. More shops and cafes in Watford High Street beyond the station.


John Marsh

24 Nov 2023 Autumn

I don't have much to add to the previous comments. The relatively short diversions into greenspace make this walk pleasant enough but you can't get away from the fact that the straight line route from which you deviate from but have to return to is a busy urban road. Overall it is reasonably accessible with few obstacles except for winter mud in the grass sections of Attenborough Fields.


Derick Rethans

24 Apr 2022 Spring

I walked this from Bushey to Watford. It's okay, with some nice green spaces. If it was any longer, I probably would not have given it 4 stars, as there were lots of really annoying roads and crossings.


David Sanderson

12 Apr 2022 Spring

A route which succeeds in making maximum use of green spaces around two places linked by main roads. Oxhey Park in Watford was a highlight. Safe, easy to follow, maybe could have been more direct but I think that would have detracted from the pleasure of the walk.

  • David Sanderson

    David Sanderson

    12 Apr 2022

    Forgot to mention. The route line got me to cross the road on the approach to Watford High Street Station, only to then to deliver me to the wrong side of the road! Still 4 stars.

  • Share your thoughts

    Please Sign up or log in to comment.


Strider

07 Nov 2021 Autumn

I walked from Watford to Bushey. I agree with the previous reviewers, this is a lovely walk with a good compromise between direct roads and winding countryside. There are some busy roads but also beautiful greenery.
Narrow in places and muddy in others, but mostly well paved or grit paths.
A museum, theatre, cafe/skate park and benches along the way.


Jane Taylor

07 Nov 2021 Autumn

I walked this route from Bushey to Watford. It is more green than I was expecting, and this is because it isn't as direct as it would be if it kept to the main road all the way. However I think the balance of directness and pleasantness is a good one.
Soon after leaving Bushey the path goes through Attenborough fields, there are cows and it can be muddy. Make the most of it because soon it's back to urban walking.
The A411 is a busy A road and in places the pavement is narrow. This was the only part I didn't enjoy. The route identifies a precise crossing point by Aldenham Road, it is a shame it is less precise about where to cross back, I suggest by the Mercedes garage just before the turn into Oxhey Park.
Oxhey Park is a pleasant surprise, there you pick up the Colne Valley Cycle route which will take you most of the way to Watford High Street station.
The route line is a bit vague about whether to cross the high street on the approach to the station - don't bother.

On the whole I enjoyed this route, a good balance of green belt and urban walking; some of the roads are busy, and it isn't always clear about whether/where to cross roads, but apart from that it works.


Lwatson

19 Jun 2021 Spring

I walked this route from Watford to Bushey. There were a couple of surprisingly beautiful sections of this walk - through Oxhey Park and Attenborough Fields - although much of it was alongside busy roads. All of the road-walking was along pavements so it was fairly safe but the amount of traffic meant it wasn't necessarily pleasant. The roads were fairly easy to cross; all had defined crossing points with clear views, some had traffic lights. I'm not sure that there are any better routes; this one is fairly direct (the only way it could be more direct is by going along busy roads the whole way), and the off-road sections through the park and fields were pleasant.


Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.

Overall ratings

7 reviews


0 reviews

5 reviews

2 reviews

0 reviews

0 reviews

Show all


There are no other routes for Watford — Bushey

If you know a better way, then please let us know.

Review this better route and help establish a trusted network of walking routes.

Suggest a better route if it better meets our methodology.

See all routes from Watford.

See all routes from Bushey.