13 arrived at Broxbourne for a fine inaugural walk for this new walk poster. It was a beautiful dry autumn day and so good conditions for this walk where large parts were covered in a thick carpet of fallen leaves. Most of the group lost touch with three of our number before we stopped for lunch at three convenient benches somewhere near the beginning of the westernmost loop of the route.

The main group missed the out the "lunch" pub and instead all but one early finisher stopped for a drink at the Farmer's Boy (which apparently is named after a horse). Some had to neck their drinks quickly to catch the 1548; I was glad to have done so as trains at a standstill at Waterloo meant a long journey home for me. Many thanks for posting

I am doing the Walk Tomorrow. But just to let you know. Instead I will take the Train. I will take the Bus. And what I will do. I will wait outside the Ticket Barriers until you all arrive.

9.27 so delayed that it is now scheduled to go fast from T'ham Hale to Bishop's Stortford to make up time. 9.57 departure therefore, by the looks of it.

As per the previous comment, we started half an hour later than posted.

3 off the train and 1 outside off a bus, ie 4 in warm but overcast weather

Being a fast-ish group, we got to The Woodman for 13.25 hours. The pub has simplified its offerings a little, insofar as Greek wines and Real Ale are not on the menu anymore, sadly.

We got to The Bull at 16.15 and settled at a table outside. 1 took the next train, 2 one train later, 1 a bus. What we saw: precious little mud, low water levels in the plantiful streams, some kites, plenty of fungi, 1 feral youth tearing through Wormley Wood on a quad bike, with his mate on an electric mountain bike just ahead.

7 set off from Broxbourne station in persistent light rain for an atmospheric autumnal circuit through various woods. Although the tree colour was not as striking as in years' past, it was still pretty and there were many interesting fungi in the woods....All but one (who was never seen again) ate at the Greek inspired pub and were pleasantly surprised when paying the bill that due to a transition between licenses, they were unable to charge for their alcoholic beverages (what a bonus)! I think most left a generous tip to cover the cost of their chosen spirit....

After lunch the 6 pub lunchers split ranks with the three men opting for a male bonding experience along an improvised short-cut where they encountered a section of fallen trees creating an assault course that required navigation; while the remaining three opted for a female bonding experience following the instructions/GPX on the recommended route back through the woods without much incident -- aside from a momentary thought they might miss the 17:19 train! All reconvened at The Bull where even the walkers doing the full route had time for a swift half before catching the last train back to London at the advertised 17:19! With an early return to London, 4 decided to wrap up the day with some wine and tapas! A fun day out -- notwithstanding the dreary weather!

About 14 alighted from the train in Broxbourne under grey but mild and largely dry skies for this delightful romp through various woods in full autumnal color...Although a little more squelchy than usual at this time of year (given that October has apparently been the wettest for 150 years), the walk did not disappoint with its vibrant fall foliage through gently undulating woodland...

At one point before lunch, after hearing a sharp crack, the middle group had quite a dramatic encounter when a rather large beech tree fell over and crashed to the ground about 50 meters to the side of the path....I think a first for all of us to witness...

About half the group (in different sittings) enjoyed the Greek fare on offer at the lunch pub...before the final stretch back to Broxbourne...At the end, the group I was with stopped in one of the locals for a taste of Hertfordshire ale....

An excellent and full use of one of the last days before lockdown sets in....

5 sunny dry

8 set off from Broxbourne Station under initially cloudy with brightening and mild autumnal conditions for a very enjoyable long Sunday stroll....This walk is really perfect for this time of year, exploring a variety of ancient woodlands with good tinting colors of autumn before any mud develops. Within the woods, the terrain is gently undulating with a number of water features and good vistas -- so always interesting with some nice surprises.... Four sampled the Cypriot themed lunch pub with three opting for a more extensive 2-course examination of the offerings...All very tasty....The picnickers eventually joined for drinks and we all set off together for the pleasant afternoon stretch with the low sun providing some lovely golden light against the trees. We enjoyed some nice sunset colors in the sky before arriving back in Broxbourne about 4:45 where three went direct to the train station and five opted for post walk refreshies and educating discussion on topics ranging from mushrooms to mixed drinks in one of the local hostelries before catching the 17 something.....A great day out really maximizing the season's offerings...

Now I might do the Walk on Sunday. But I can't Guarantee I will. If I do. Then really and conveniently I can take the Bus.

6 off the scheduled train and the walk poster one train behind, so 7 in overcast and chilly but dry weather.

Due to the immediate obstacle of the start of the walk along The New River being closed for path widening works (for a shared cycle/footpath), the group of 6 tried (and failed) to find an alternative route through the station car park. The proper diversion was in fact well signed and led through some nice residential streets, while adding only about 5 minutes of walking.

The New River, the Spital Brook and the subsequent streams in the woods were as full as I've seen them (having walked this about 10 times in all seasons), which was nice on the one hand as the route follows waterways for quite some distance and crosses streams quite often. On the other hand that also meant high levels of mud, especially in the woods. You can't have it all...

What we didn't have much of were bluebells, in fact there were none in the main Broxbourne Woods NNR, but then the very last small wood right on the fringes of town was delightfully full of them. Personally I like a forest walk any time of the year, but especially this time of year - with the foliage a bright green, and the muddy bits were nothing worse than what we experienced elsewhere over the last months.

Interesting if slightly devastating development: in the (privately owned by the Hatfield House Estate) north westerly woods (Cowheath Woods and Bramble's Wood) an enormous amount of large permanent tents have been set up over the last few years, evidently for a company offering Bushcraft and Survival Skills Camps (Polaris Bushcraft). Always well away from the public rights-of-way that our route follows, but often in sight, and - as enraged mountain bikers' comments in several internet forums show - aggressively blocking routes that they have been using for decades (but have never been a r-o-w).

We arrived at the only pub en route, the usually excellent value Woodman & Olive, to find a sign outside declaring that the pub was shut for a Private Function. That of course does not stop a bunch of hungry and thirsty SWCers from entering, which was just as well, as it turned out the sign was accidentally left out from the evening before and staff had been wondering why there was so little custom for lunch! 3 of us settled for a longish lunch, the 4 sandwichers took their tea or hot chocolate and soon moved on w/o the diners. Those 3 then also had a drink at The Bull back in Broxbourne. 18.10 train.

6 on this walk including one early starter whom we caught up with not long before lunch. I separated from the group just before lunch as I had no wish to visit the pub and after walking on found a spot to have lunch where following a ludicrous accident I managed to lose most of my water!!! Feeling a bit deflated I decided to take some short cuts and got back to Broxbourne quite early and dropped into a pub for refreshments and watch Federer for a while as he destroyed Cilic. 3.37pm train home. This is a walk with too much woodland for my tastes and it can feel a bit oppressive on a warm day but it was good to do it in dry conditions unlike the last time I ventured out here. Weather dry warm and cloudy . Hope the others enjoyed their day and it would be good to get any views about the pub.

Pub was delightful. Very friendly staff. Nice garden outside although we opted to sit inside. I had a wonderful vegetable moussaka and salad. Lots of Greek music in the background including Zorba the Greek. We met 2 other SWC walkers there who had started early. The were leaving as we arrived.

8

Now I might do the Walk on Sunday. But I can't Guarantee I will. Depends on my plan's. But if I do. For my convienance. I would take the Bus instead of taking the Train as it's nearer Home. And I can meet you and wait for you at Broxbourne Station.

Six turned out for this much enjoyed walk. The four who did the Bayford finish were unanimous that this variation was not strenuous as had been described in the posting. Would be well to avoid the s-word in the next description as this may explain the low numbers.

6 hot and sunny

Thanks Colin (and anonymous). "Strenuous" is from the online description. I was very tempted to take it out but, as Ive never done this walk, I thought it fairer to leave it in than be economical with the (perceived) truth. The long walk to lunch can;t have helped numbers. (Good title for the next posting?)

The remaining two of us had a picnic lunch on the Wormley Wood loop, missed out the pub (it was past 2 pm) and went on to complete the circuit back to Broxbourne. We sped up after lunch, aided by more straightforward navigation, and when we got to the turning for Bayford it seemed a bit early to go home.

PS Just read Saturday's walk reports and perhaps the huge turnouts at two of them also help explain the low numbers here. I make that 100 walkers over the weekend - wow.

Now I might do the Walk on Saturday. But I can't Guarantee I will.

If I do make it. I will take 2 Buses instead of the train for my convenience. But I will take the Train on the way back as further than Enfield Chase. Then I don't have far to go Home.

17 cloudy with sun breaking through

15 off the train at Broxbourne, 1 at the station, and one late joiner on the next train who caught up with the group. Set off along the New River for a stretch and soon into Broxbourne Woods. A wonderful display of autumn colour with plenty of foliage still on the trees and yet, somehow, the ground completely carpeted with golden leaves. Leaf flurries added to the atmosphere. For mushroom enthusiasts, lots of interesting specimans to be seen; we were lucky to have our resident mycologist in attendance.

11 dined at The Woodman and Olive where the food was good and a change from the usual pub fare. Sandwichers joined for a drink, then 4 went on ahead and the remaining 13 followed not too long after. Broke into two groups, the slightly faster group aided by the fact the walk author was amongst them and so no stopping to check directions was required.

The faster group reached The Bull at 16:00 with time for a drink, joined by the rest 15 minuts later who also had refreshments, and all made their way to the station to catch the 17:09 train back to London.

A surprisingly lovely walk for this time of the year in such close proximity to the city. And though a long one for the shorter days, the short train journey and thus early-ish start to the walk helped get us back long before darkness fell

Lovely,lovely walk for the time of the year. A delightful palette of autumn colours and with the sun filtering through the trees in the afternoon sun, it was magical.

A huge thanks to Thomas!

According to yesterdays Walk. As we started from Broxbourne there and back. It was good we started along the River. We stopped at a Greek Pub Restaurant at the Woodman and Olive. Now I never been to a Greek Pub Restaurant before. They are also doing food for Christmas day as well. Later on we continued with our walk. And while we were walking. Thomas said to me. Do you want to do a longer walk or a shorter walk. While I said to him. I don't care what one I do. I am enjoying it as long as I can. And on the way back. We stopped at the Bull Pub in Broxbourne for a Drink and a chat. But it was a shame that we couldn't end it in Bayford because it would get dark early now as the Clocks went back one Hour last week. Now you all went by Train. While I took 2 Buses because it's more convenient for me. It was very nice meeting up and doing the Walk. And I was Home at 18:15. Thank you very much!

Another thing. What I meant to say. Thomas said to me. Do you want to do the long walk or the short walk. While I said to him. I don't care which one I do. I am enjoying it as long as I can. Then Thomas said to me. That's it that's the sprit.

Finally. I took Quite a lot of pictures on my Mobile phone. And put it on Facebook as well.

Could be tempted...anyone else contemplating a Sunday outing?

Intend going

Are you sure you can use Oyster from Bayford? tfl.gov.uk doesn't seem to know about it...

Well if you two are coming out on Sunday, it would be a shame to stay at home; and indeed you can travel with an Oyster card to Broxbourne but it seems not from Bayford.

Excellent news! Has a table been reserved for lunch?

It is true that Bayford, on the Hertford North line, is just outside the Oyster zone, though all stations to Hertford East are within the zone - just one of the curious Oyster anomalies. Apologies for the misinformation.

A table for 6 has been reserved at The Woodman & Olive in the name of the SWC, but please phone the pub as you set out from Broxbourne to confirm numbers and expected arrival time.

Hi, interested in this walk but wondering about the mud levels if it's been raining ?

Plan to come and have pub lunch. Pamela H

I might intend to go. But I can't Guarantee I will. If I do. I would take the Bus instead of the train and probably meet up at Broxbourne station. That's my convenience.

If you have a London Freedom pass. And if you take the Train from Bayford. Including a Railcard or not. Ask for a Single to Crews Hill.

Thanks Chris. What time is the table booked for?

Kelda, I told them probably around 1:00pm, but Thomas will be with you and it's his walk, so he should be able to advise you.

Advice from Sean on best rail ticket to buy: "Although Broxbourne and Bayford are on different lines you can get quite cheap super off-peak tickets to "Hertford Stations" and both lines go there (H North & H East). That ought to be valid out and back."

15 overcast all day

14 off the train, 1 on an earlier train, who we caught & overtook in the woods, but later surprisingly re-encountered at the lunch pub, as she had tsubsequently gotten lost in the woods and had to ask locals for the most direct route to the pub.

High levels of mud, even compared to the winter that the original research to this walk had taken place: several 'ponds' in places where I had never encountered any before. The conditions slowed our pace quite a bit, so that we only got to the pub at 13.40. The Woodman & Olive is a very pleasant place, with tasty East Med cuisine, but possibly could do w/o the piped music in an already noise-filled, packed pub.

Two walkers then took the ultimate shortcut, following roads back to Broxbourne, the sandwichers had moved on already, which left 8 of the lunchers to embark on the Bayford ending, 4 of which halted at The Farmer's Boy for a bevvie (or hot chocolate).

Quite a rebellious group all-in, repeatedly questioning the 'leaders' choice of right/left turn, perplexing when it was well known that said 'leader' was the walk's author, but hey: that's the SWC spirit, we love it for that!

Rebellious? Who are you talking about? Meek, and following orders (B=B and all that) at the bar was much more like it. And a leader, whose vocab does not cotain the word shortcut, suddenly announced he was going to Bayford. The rest of, 3 of whom were being exceptionally brave initially and ready for another 10k of deep mud, were told that said leader called it a day at 4pm. Disappointment all around! We followed suit, not wanting to outdo said excellent leader. We had a lot of fun despite the knee-deep mud (10/10 for organising that) and the pub food was delicious (we missed Greek dancing somehow). So good, I forgot my map :(

got home in time to check in at teatime on future co-hols/walkers that did urban park walk! (they survived)