information the nickey line history walking & cycling...civic centre dacorum borough council...
TRANSCRIPT
Household WasteRecycling
CentreQueensway
Downside
Leig
hton
Buz
zard
Roa
d
Leig
hton B
uzzar
d Road
A4146
Queensway
Hillfield Road
Mar
low
es
Marlo
wes
St Albans Road
Hig
h St
reet
Chapel Street
Cattsdell
Catt
sdel
l
Ran
dalls
Ride
Neptune Drive
Woodhall Lane
Bohemia
Thumpers
Fletcher Way
Fletc
her Way
Fletcher Way
Tow
nsen
d
Thriftfield
Wheatfield
Cambrian Way
Solway
Jupiter Drive Jupite
r Driv
e
Queensway
Redbourn
Road
Pennine Way
Pennine Way
St Agnells
Lane
East
man
Way
May
lan
ds
Ave
Mar
k Ro
ad
A41
47
A4147
Wood Lane End
Tedder Road
Tenzing Road
Montgomery
Avenue
Sawyers Way
Road
Broadfield
Everest Way
Wood Lane End
Adeyfield Road
Adeyfield Road
Adeyfield
Windm
ill Road
Windmill
Lane
White Hart Drive
Long
land
s
A4147
Redbourn Road
Cherr
y Tre
e La
ne
Bo
un
dar
y W
ay
Hemel Hempstead Road
Punch Bowl Lane
Shen
ley
Road
Redbourn Road
B487
B487
B487
B487
High S
treet
Gre
en
Leve
rsto
ck G
reen
Roa
d
Ellingham Road
Highfield Lane
Brie
ry W
ayW
idm
ore
Dri
ve
Shenley
Ho
ltsm
ere
End
Lan
e
Shenley Road
Hemel Hempstead Road
Hemel Hempstead Road
Hemel Hempstead RoadChurch
Gaddesden Lane
Chequer Lane
Flam
stea
db
ury
Lan
e
Lybury Lane
Fish Street
Lam
b Lan
e
St A
lban
s Ro
ad
The
Ver V
alle
y W
alk
A51
83
A5183
M1
A5183
Hig
h St
reet
Hig
h St
reet
Crouch H
all Lane
Harpenden Lane
RedbournInfant &
Jnr School
RedbournVillage Museum
Dun
stab
le R
oad
Bet
tesp
ol M
ead
ow
s
Dunstable Road
Redbourn Lane
Lane
Redbourn
B487
Claygate Ave
Townsend Lane
Townsend Lane
Park Hill
Park Rise
Bloomfield Road
Hillside Road
HighfieldOvalLambourn Gdns
Park Mount
Luto
n R
oad
Luto
n R
oad
A10
81
Clarence Road
Byron Road
Townsend Road
Sun Lane
Broadfields
Salis
bur
y A
veMap
le R
oad
Rose
ber
ry A
venu
e
Kirkwick Ave
Roundwood
Lane
Leyt
on R
oad
West Com
mon
Amenbury Lane
Rothampsted Ave
St A
lban
s Road
Hig
h St
reet
Sout
hd
own
Roa
d
Lane
Station
B652
Stat
ion
Ro
ad
Stewart Road
Brea
dcr
oft L
ane
Carlt
on R
oad
Car
lton
Road
Sau
nce
y A
ve
Sauncey Ave
Manland Ave
West Way
Manland Way
Cro
ss Way W
aven
ey R
oad
Ox Lane
Col
dh
arb
our L
ane
Ox LaneLea Road
St James Road
SunLa
ne
Westfield Road
Douglas Road
Vaughan Road
Milt
on R
oad
Crabtree Lane
The
Park
Aycl
iffe
Driv
e
Aycliffe Drive
Aycliffe DrivePrimary School
Jupiter DriveJMI School
Bellgate PrimarySchool
Broadfield Infant& Junior School Hobletts Manor Infant
& Junior School
George StreetPrimary
Hemel HempsteadGeneral Hospital
LeisureWorld
Athletics Ground
Tudor PrimarySchool
Paradise
GadebridgePark
St Cuthbert MayneCatholic Junior School
Gade Valley JMI
SkateboardBMX park
The Cavendish School
Locker’s ParkSchool Randall
Park
Jarman Park
Adeyfield
Old Town
AdeyfieldSchool
Keens Field
Highfield
MaylandsWood
Widmore Wood
Yew TreeWood
Grove Hill Park
Grovehill
Cupid Green
Astley CooperSchool
Industrial Estate
Reservoir
Holtsmere End Infant& Junior School Brockswood Primary
School
WoodhallWood
HighWood
Little Revel EndFarm
Wood End Farm
PancakeWood
BuryWood
The Aubreys Fort(earthworks)
subway
Hotel
Flower’sFarm
Dane-End Farm
RedbournCommon
Scout Spring
caravan site
River Ver
River Ver
RedbournIndustrial Estate
Library
Knott Wood
Golf CourseHarpendenbury
Farm
Deacon’sSpring
Hammonds EndFarm
Golf Course
Rugby Club
Rothamsted ManorHouse
RothamstedResearch
RothamstedExperimental Farm
St Luke’s School
RothamstedPark
Hatching Green
Roundwood Park& Primary Schools
St Hilda’s School
AsquithNursery
St George’s School
HarpendenMemorial Hospital
St NicholasPrimarySchool
St Dominic’sR.C. Primary
School
HarpendenCommon
to HarpendenCycles
Crabtree Infants &Junior School
WestfieldWoodAmbrose
Wood
BUPA Hospital
HighfieldPre-School
The Lea PrimarySchool
Sir John LawesSchool
Manland PrimarySchool
The King’s School
Dio
ne R
d
take carecrossing roadblind corner
cyclistsuse ramp
to avoid steps
(Wat
ling
Stre
et -
Rom
an R
oad)
Midland Road
St Mary’sChurch
The OldTown Hall
Civic CentreDacorum Borough
Council
Library
West Herts CollegeDacorum Campus Playing Fields
PlayingFields
St PaulsChurch
Three
Ch
erryTrees
Lane
Hunters Oak
Arkley Road
Cupid Green Lane
The
DeeA
ve.
Washington Avenue
Eastbrook PrimarySchool
Hunting Gate
Piccotts End La.
Stevenage Rise
Saturn Way
Mendip Way
Wharfdale
Wes
terdale
Allandale
Paston Rd
Allandale
Alla
ndal
e
Smithfield
Chur
chSt
reet
Herbert StreetGeorge Street Grover Cl.
St Mary’s Road
Christchurch RoadAle
xan
dra
Ro
ad
Alexa
ndra R
oad
Cresc
ent R
oad
St Paul’s Road
May
flow
erAv
enueW
ater
house S
treet
Wat
er Gar
dens
Dacoru
m W
ay
Wolse
y Road
Park L
ane
Paradise
King H
arry Stre
et
Redwood DriveOld Crabtree Lane
Deaconsfield Road
Seaton Road
Woo
dC
resc
ent
Jarman Way
Turners Hill
Turners Hill
Tassell Hall
Tassell Hall
NorthRoad
Snatchup
The Park
Brooke End
Ver Road
Crown Street
WaterendLane
Linden RoadAysgarth Road
Cavan Road
Lord
s Mea
dow
Astley Road
Combe St
Bury
Roa
d
Cotterells Hill
Melsted Road
Warners End Road
Townsend Lane
HollybushLane
Wo
rdsw
orth
Road
Tennys
on Road
Long
crof
t Ave
nu
e
Am
bros
eLa
ne
Harpenden Rise
Barns Dene
Common
take carecrossing road
Moreton End Lane
Ambrose Lan
e
H
HSwallowdale Lane
Tham
es
Newfield
Road
Road
HarpendenMusicale
HarpendenStation
Crabtree
Library
St Nicholas’Church
LydekkerPark
The Ver Valley Walk
The
Ver V
alle
y W
alk
The
Ver V
alle
y W
alk
original track of railway line
St Mary’sChurch
Footpath toRedbournbury Mill
Cycle route toGaddesden Row
Rail to Luton& The Midlands
Rail to St AlbansLondon, Brighton
NCN 6 cycle routeto St Albans,
Watford, London
NCN 6Cycle route under
construction to Lutonand Milton Keynes,
and ultimately toThe Lake District
M1Luton
The North
M1Luton
The North
M1London
A1081
Road
Arden
Bull Rd
Gro
ve
Station Road
site ofHarpenden
Eastrailwaystation
Town Hall
PublicHalls
SkateboardBMX park
cutting
picnic areasite of Redbournrailway station
N
N
End
NCN 57Cycle route to Leasey Bridge, incomplete to Wheathampsteadand Welwyn Garden City
Road
site ofBeaumont’s Halt
site ofGodwin’s Halt
AdventurePlayground
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey LineThe Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
Eastman Way
The Nickey Line
site ofHemel Hempstead
Station
site ofHemelite Works
Hemel Hempstead
Harpenden
Redbourn
Track
Residential area
Commercial area
Parks and Woodland
Main Road
Motorway
Railway
The Nickey Line (traffic free) Fields and Open Land
Cycle Shop
Tourist Information
Pub / Restaurant
Supermarket / Shop
Leisure Centre
Children’s Play Area
School / College
Museum
Toilet
Hospital A&E
Football Ground
The Nickey Line (on road)
River / Lake
Cycle Routes (signed on quiet road)
Cycle Routes (signed on quiet road)proposed
Steps on route,access steps off route
Cycle Routes (traffic free)
Railway Station
Car Park
National Cycle NetworkRoute Number
Building
Bus Station
Street / Minor Road
Bridge
Bridleway
Footpath
Keyscale 1:11,500 approx
1 kilometre
1 mile
Walking & CyclingThe Nickey Linethe green route from Hemel Hempstead via Redbourn to Harpenden
The 7 mile (12 km) branch line linked the Midland Railway at Harpenden to Boxmoor near Hemel Hempstead. Passenger services ended in 1947 but a section of the line carried freight until 1979. Much of the track bed still remained intact when it was bought by Dacorum and St Albans councils in the early 1980’s and opened for walking and cycling.
The route forms a pleasant green corridor with a rural aspect along much of its length –providing attractive countryside or woodland walks as well as generally traffic-free access to school and work. Although there are steep embankments or cuttings and several bridges have been removed there is level access for cyclists and wheelchairs along most of the route (steps are shown on the map).
The Nickey Line forms part of Route 57 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network which continues through Harpenden to Wheathampstead and Welwyn Garden City. From Harpenden, Route 6 goes south to St Albans & Watford, and north to Luton & Milton Keynes.
Enjoy the route for a leisurely walk or ride, or to appreciate wildlife. Additionally, a number of circular routes may be enjoyed incorporating public footpaths that cross the Line (contact Friends of the Nickey Line for more information).
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100019606 2006
Hemel Hempstead’s award winning town centre boasts a tremendous range of shops and services specifically designed for its many visitors within a family friendly pedestrianised area. Stroll through the town centre or adjacent Water Gardens and admire the display planting and works of art, a tradition begun in the early days of the New Town.
Hemel Old Town is steeped in history providing a glimpse of days gone by with its attractive Victorian, Georgian and Tudor architecture housing many excellent pubs, cafes, bistros and restaurants. You will also find a diverse selection of specialist shops including antiques, quality giftware, furniture and bicycles! The Old Town High Street is home to the Old Town Hall Theatre with art, music and theatre productions.
Relax in the beautiful surroundings of Gadebridge Park, Dacorum’s principal park. Unwind by the River Gade or admire the glorious flower display in the historic Walled Garden with views of St Mary’s Church, regarded as one of the most complete Norman churches in Hertfordshire. Activities include bowls and crazy golf are available during the summer, with a play area and skate park for young people, open all year. See www.dacorum.gov.uk for details of special events.
Hemel Hempstead
Gadebridge Park
Hemel Old Town
The Nickey Line is a green corridor for wildlife linking the woodlands and fields along the track. Foxes are regularly seen and if you are really lucky you may glimpse a badger on its dusk patrol or a sparrow hawk flying at speed. In spring the warblers arrive from their winter quarters and blackcaps, chiffchaffs and whitethroats can be heard singing as they establish territories and seek mates.
Look out for orange tip and brimstone butterflies in early spring. Peacocks, marbled whites, commas and small tortoiseshells are also fairly common in the summer sun. In this picture left, a speckled wood warms itself on a bramble bush in the midday sunshine – they need warm still days for flight and as they bask they merge well into the dappled light of a clearing on The Nickey Line.
Wildlife along the Line
1863 Act for Boxmoor to Hemel Hempstead Railway
1866 Act extending line to Midland Railway at Harpenden
1877 Line opened between Hemel Hempstead and Luton
1888 Harpenden Junction south curve opened, taking trains to Harpenden Station
1905 New halts built at Redbourn, Cupid Green and Heath Park
1929 Bus service replaced some trains
1947 Passenger service withdrawn, goods service continues
1950’s and 1960’s Line gradually cut back for New Town construction
1968 Hemelite Company bought the line to transport materials for the manufacture of building blocks
1979 Line closed
1985 Opened as a footpath and cycleway, becoming National Cycle Network Route 57
History of the Nickey Line
Yew Tree Wood has the characteristics of an ancient semi natural woodland and is particularly noteworthy for the group of yew trees taxus baccata that give the wood its name. Yew is Europe’s longest lived tree with some individuals estimated to be up to 4000 years old.
Yew Tree Wood
Household WasteRecycling
CentreQueensway
Downside
Leig
hton
Buz
zard
Roa
d
Leig
hton B
uzzar
d Road
A4146
Queensway
Hillfield Road
Mar
low
es
Marlo
wes
St Albans Road
Hig
h St
reet
Chapel Street
Cattsdell
Catt
sdel
l
Ran
dalls
Ride
Neptune Drive
Woodhall Lane
Bohemia
Thumpers
Fletcher Way
Fletc
her Way
Fletcher Way
Tow
nsen
d
Thriftfield
Wheatfield
Cambrian Way
Solway
Jupiter Drive Jupite
r Driv
e
Queensway
Redbourn
Road
Pennine Way
Pennine Way
St Agnells
Lane
East
man
Way
May
lan
ds
Ave
Mar
k Ro
ad
A41
47
A4147
Wood Lane End
Tedder Road
Tenzing Road
Montgomery
Avenue
Sawyers Way
Road
Broadfield
Everest Way
Wood Lane End
Adeyfield Road
Adeyfield Road
Adeyfield
Windm
ill Road
Windmill
Lane
White Hart Drive
Long
land
s
A4147
Redbourn Road
Cherr
y Tre
e La
ne
Bo
un
dar
y W
ay
Hemel Hempstead Road
Punch Bowl Lane
Shen
ley
Road
Redbourn Road
B487
B487
B487
B487
High S
treet
Gre
en
Leve
rsto
ck G
reen
Roa
d
Ellingham Road
Highfield Lane
Brie
ry W
ayW
idm
ore
Dri
ve
Shenley
Ho
ltsm
ere
End
Lan
e
Shenley Road
Hemel Hempstead Road
Hemel Hempstead Road
Hemel Hempstead RoadChurch
Gaddesden Lane
Chequer Lane
Flam
stea
db
ury
Lan
e
Lybury Lane
Fish Street
Lam
b Lan
e
St A
lban
s Ro
ad
The
Ver V
alle
y W
alk
A51
83
A5183
M1
A5183
Hig
h St
reet
Hig
h St
reet
Crouch H
all Lane
Harpenden Lane
RedbournInfant &
Jnr School
RedbournVillage Museum
Dun
stab
le R
oad
Bet
tesp
ol M
ead
ow
s
Dunstable Road
Redbourn Lane
Lane
Redbourn
B487
Claygate Ave
Townsend Lane
Townsend Lane
Park Hill
Park Rise
Bloomfield Road
Hillside Road
HighfieldOvalLambourn Gdns
Park Mount
Luto
n R
oad
Luto
n R
oad
A10
81
Clarence Road
Byron Road
Townsend Road
Sun Lane
Broadfields
Salis
bur
y A
veMap
le R
oad
Rose
ber
ry A
venu
e
Kirkwick Ave
Roundwood
Lane
Leyt
on R
oad
West Com
mon
Amenbury Lane
Rothampsted Ave
St A
lban
s Road
Hig
h St
reet
Sout
hd
own
Roa
d
Lane
Station
B652
Stat
ion
Ro
ad
Stewart Road
Brea
dcr
oft L
ane
Carlt
on R
oad
Car
lton
Road
Sau
nce
y A
ve
Sauncey Ave
Manland Ave
West Way
Manland Way
Cro
ss Way W
aven
ey R
oad
Ox Lane
Col
dh
arb
our L
ane
Ox LaneLea Road
St James Road
SunLa
ne
Westfield Road
Douglas Road
Vaughan Road
Milt
on R
oad
Crabtree Lane
The
Park
Aycl
iffe
Driv
e
Aycliffe Drive
Aycliffe DrivePrimary School
Jupiter DriveJMI School
Bellgate PrimarySchool
Broadfield Infant& Junior School Hobletts Manor Infant
& Junior School
George StreetPrimary
Hemel HempsteadGeneral Hospital
LeisureWorld
Athletics Ground
Tudor PrimarySchool
Paradise
GadebridgePark
St Cuthbert MayneCatholic Junior School
Gade Valley JMI
SkateboardBMX park
The Cavendish School
Locker’s ParkSchool Randall
Park
Jarman Park
Adeyfield
Old Town
AdeyfieldSchool
Keens Field
Highfield
MaylandsWood
Widmore Wood
Yew TreeWood
Grove Hill Park
Grovehill
Cupid Green
Astley CooperSchool
Industrial Estate
Reservoir
Holtsmere End Infant& Junior School Brockswood Primary
School
WoodhallWood
HighWood
Little Revel EndFarm
Wood End Farm
PancakeWood
BuryWood
The Aubreys Fort(earthworks)
subway
Hotel
Flower’sFarm
Dane-End Farm
RedbournCommon
Scout Spring
caravan site
River Ver
River Ver
RedbournIndustrial Estate
Library
Knott Wood
Golf CourseHarpendenbury
Farm
Deacon’sSpring
Hammonds EndFarm
Golf Course
Rugby Club
Rothamsted ManorHouse
RothamstedResearch
RothamstedExperimental Farm
St Luke’s School
RothamstedPark
Hatching Green
Roundwood Park& Primary Schools
St Hilda’s School
AsquithNursery
St George’s School
HarpendenMemorial Hospital
St NicholasPrimarySchool
St Dominic’sR.C. Primary
School
HarpendenCommon
to HarpendenCycles
Crabtree Infants &Junior School
WestfieldWoodAmbrose
Wood
BUPA Hospital
HighfieldPre-School
The Lea PrimarySchool
Sir John LawesSchool
Manland PrimarySchool
The King’s School
Dio
ne R
d
take carecrossing roadblind corner
cyclistsuse ramp
to avoid steps
(Wat
ling
Stre
et -
Rom
an R
oad)
Midland Road
St Mary’sChurch
The OldTown Hall
Civic CentreDacorum Borough
Council
Library
West Herts CollegeDacorum Campus Playing Fields
PlayingFields
St PaulsChurch
Three
Ch
erryTrees
Lane
Hunters Oak
Arkley Road
Cupid Green Lane
The
DeeA
ve.
Washington Avenue
Eastbrook PrimarySchool
Hunting Gate
Piccotts End La.
Stevenage Rise
Saturn Way
Mendip Way
Wharfdale
Wes
terdale
Allandale
Paston Rd
Allandale
Alla
ndal
e
Smithfield
Chur
chSt
reet
Herbert StreetGeorge Street Grover Cl.
St Mary’s Road
Christchurch RoadAle
xan
dra
Ro
ad
Alexa
ndra R
oad
Cresc
ent R
oad
St Paul’s Road
May
flow
erAv
enueW
ater
house S
treet
Wat
er Gar
dens
Dacoru
m W
ay
Wolse
y Road
Park L
ane
Paradise
King H
arry Stre
et
Redwood DriveOld Crabtree Lane
Deaconsfield Road
Seaton Road
Woo
dC
resc
ent
Jarman Way
Turners Hill
Turners Hill
Tassell Hall
Tassell Hall
NorthRoad
Snatchup
The Park
Brooke End
Ver Road
Crown Street
WaterendLane
Linden RoadAysgarth Road
Cavan Road
Lord
s Mea
dow
Astley Road
Combe St
Bury
Roa
d
Cotterells Hill
Melsted Road
Warners End Road
Townsend Lane
HollybushLane
Wo
rdsw
orth
Road
Tennys
on Road
Long
crof
t Ave
nu
e
Am
bros
eLa
ne
Harpenden Rise
Barns Dene
Common
take carecrossing road
Moreton End Lane
Ambrose Lan
e
H
HSwallowdale Lane
Tham
es
Newfield
Road
Road
HarpendenMusicale
HarpendenStation
Crabtree
Library
St Nicholas’Church
LydekkerPark
The Ver Valley Walk
The
Ver V
alle
y W
alk
The
Ver V
alle
y W
alk
original track of railway line
St Mary’sChurch
Footpath toRedbournbury Mill
Cycle route toGaddesden Row
Rail to Luton& The Midlands
Rail to St AlbansLondon, Brighton
NCN 6 cycle routeto St Albans,
Watford, London
NCN 6Cycle route under
construction to Lutonand Milton Keynes,
and ultimately toThe Lake District
M1Luton
The North
M1Luton
The North
M1London
A1081
Road
Arden
Bull Rd
Gro
ve
Station Road
site ofHarpenden
Eastrailwaystation
Town Hall
PublicHalls
SkateboardBMX park
cutting
picnic areasite of Redbournrailway station
N
N
End
NCN 57Cycle route to Leasey Bridge, incomplete to Wheathampsteadand Welwyn Garden City
Road
site ofBeaumont’s Halt
site ofGodwin’s Halt
AdventurePlayground
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey LineThe Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
The Nickey Line
Eastman Way
The Nickey Line
site ofHemel Hempstead
Station
site ofHemelite Works
Hemel Hempstead
Harpenden
Redbourn
7 m i l e g r e e n r o u t e b e t w e e n Hemel Hempstead, Redbourn& Harpenden
The Nickey Linewalking & cycl ing
The Ordnance Survey mapping data included within this publication is provided by Hertfordshire County Council under licence from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfil its public function to provide information relating to its activities, services and plans. Persons viewing this mapping should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice should they wish to licence Ordnance Survey mapping for their own use. Such mapping is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright 100019606 2006.
Cartography, photography, leaflet design and cycling by Stephen Wragg - Wragg Art House: www.wah.co.uk
© WAH 2006 Printed on environmentally friendly paper
InformationDacorum Borough Council: www.dacorum.gov.uk
Redbourn Parish Council: www.redbourn.org.uk
Harpenden Town Council: www.harpenden.gov.uk
St Albans City & District Council: www.stalbans.gov.uk
Countryside Management Services: www.hertsdirect.org/cms
Sustrans: www.sustrans.org.uk
Friends of the Nickey Line: www.nickeyline.org
St Albans Cycle Campaign: www.stacc.org.uk
Ver Valley Society: www.riverver.co.uk
Redbournbury Mill: www.redbournmill.co.uk
HistoryBooks available on The Nickey Line:
The Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Railway - The Nickey Line by Sue & Geoff Woodward, 1996, The Oakwood Press
Branch Line to Hemel Hempstead - The Nickey Line by Sue & Geoff Woodward, 2006, Middleton Press
Walking & CyclingHertfordshire County Council: www.hertsdirect.org/libsleisure & click on ‘Enjoying the Countryside’
Further free maps & leaflets in this series: The Great North Way, The Ayot Greenway, The Alban Way, The Cole Green Way, The Ebury Way, available from Libraries, Tourist Information or Councils listed above.
Redbourn village sits astride Watling Street, the old Roman road to Chester, now thankfully by-passed. Its compact High Street features several hostelries and a variety of shops, while its spacious Common provides a free car park beside the local cricket pitch, close to the village Museum.
Powered by the River Ver - and latterly by a Crossley Diesel engine - the 18th century Mill worked well into the 20th century. It was restored after a disastrous fire in 1987 and now produces stoneground flour. The Mill is open, with teas served, typically on Sunday afternoons and special weekends. See back cover for contact details to check opening times).
The Jacobean Manor House at Rothamsted was the home of John Bennet Lawes who began agricultural experiments in 1843, ultimately leading to the establishment of Rothamsted Research.The house provides student accommodation and the Drawing Room is a popular venue for recitals. Public rights of way cross the estate, and a permissive path allows a view of the 17th Century south facade of the house.
Rothamsted
When the Nickey Line was built in the 1870s the Roundwood area was agricultural, but in the early 1900s the first houses were built, and as more followed there was an increasing demand for a halt.
Roundwood Halt was opened 8 August 1927. The signal and platform are two of the best surviving reminders of the former line.
The walk traces the river from its source near Redbourn to its conjunction with the Colne close to Watford. A free leaflet is available from local Information Centres.
The local council purchased the 230 acre Manorial Common from the Rothamsted Estate in 1929,
for the benefit of the townsfolk. An annual horse racing event ceased in 1914, and The Silver Cup pub recalls past ambition. Golf, cricket and football clubs
lease space for their pursuits, while the public has unimpeded access to it all. Ancient rights still permit
traditional showman fairs on the Common.
Lying on the Chiltern dip slope between the valleys of the rivers Ver and Lea, Harpenden was destined to become a commuter town with the coming of the Midland Main Line in 1868. It retains its village character though, thanks to its large Common, its tree lined High Street and period cottages.
Harpenden
Harpenden Common
Redbourn
Redbournbury Mill
The Ver Valley Walk
Hertfordshire Rural Transport Partnership
Roundwood Halt