Sculptures, Georgian Splendour and Tapestry
Eight intrepid walkers set off on a brisk February day from Bishops Stortford hoping the mud would be kind to us today. The walk started along the banks of the River Stort, skirting Waytemore Castle mound and then heading through the town centre and then playing fields westwards.
Once we had negotiated an edge of town housing estate and a flooded subway we were out in the wide open countryside of East Hertfordshire. The next three miles were along field edges and beside streams and woods – not too muddy – until we reached the hamlets of Dane Bridge and Green Tye.
The next hamlet was Perry Green: famous as the home of Henry Moore who moved there to escape wartime bombing in London and lived there until his death in 1986. The route takes us through the sculpture garden where there are powerful works of art, some of mammoth size.
Then down into the valley of the River Ash, past pretty Sidehill Wood and then a circuit of Much Hadham. It is said this one of the most beautiful villages in Hertfordshire with many and varied architectural styles of Georgian houses and cottages along the High Street. An important place as the Bishops of London had a Palace here.
A visit to Much Hadham church revealed the skill of the local tapestry experts – many, many beautiful kneelers on display.
It was then back to the River Ash which was followed southwards through woods and meadows all the way to Widford. 13 miles in all with the weather staying kind.
