Big Skies, Big Fields
Our walk on Tuesday, 7 November saw 9 of us head off on Leg 13 of the Hertfordshire Way, from Hare Street to Bishop’s Stortford. We were joined by new member Ann.
As we set off the weather looked promising and after walking through the first few fields we were soon at Little Hormead. We passed by St Mary the Virgin Church and unlike previous walks, we were unable to explore this Grade 1 Listed 11th Century redundant building as it was shrouded with scaffolding and plastic.
We were soon walking across farmland and were treated to fantastic views across large ploughed arable fields. It was a day of big fields and big blue skies and it wasn’t long before several walkers needed to remove a layer or two of clothing. We walked on a little before finding a sunny spot for our first stop and a quick coffee break.
Walking on a few more miles, we arrived at Gravesend passing The Catherine Wheel pub, then on to Patmore Heath. Chris suggested we made use of one of the only benches spotted on this walk and we took an early lunch break sitting in the sun. Patmore Heath is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, probably the best remaining example of grass heath in Hertfordshire – a scarce habitat in south east England. Herts and Middlesex Trust describe the heath as being is typified by wavy hair grass, red and sheep’s fescue grasses and sweet vernal grass, with characteristic summer flowers such as heath bedstraw and sheep’s sorrel. In damper areas the locally rare heath rush and southern marsh orchid can be found. The ponds support all three native newts, including the locally-rare palmate newt, plus plants such as creeping jenny and lesser spearwort.
Fortified, we walked on to Upwick Green passing the odd pretty cottage on the way. Much of the day was spent in open countryside only passing occasional habitation and few roads to cross.
Across fields once again, we soon arrived at the new bridge across the bypass currently under construction and stopped to take a few photos of the group and watch the workers on the road below.
Arriving at Hadham Hall was a spectacular sight. Looking at the 16th Century Hall it is amazing to think of settlements having been on the site since around 53BC when one of the Belgic tribes that led Celtic resistance to Julius Caesar’s invasion arrived in the area. Coming through the gatehouse, we passed a large piece of Hertfordshire pudding stone. The footpath went on to follow the edge of an L-shaped pond, possibly the remains of one of the original fish ponds.
The last 45 minutes or so of the walk were the most suburban after a full day mostly off road in open countryside. We walked through the streets of Bishop’s Stortford to end our walk at Grange Paddocks Car Park.
AB
Click on an image to show larger
