(S/E) With your back to the Hollybush pub, turn right and follow Church End road. Walk through the gate and into the Church of St Mary’s pretty grounds. Follow the path past church and then at the path crossroads, turn right and follow the path towards a kissing gate. Go through the kissing gate and then turn right before following the path around the edge of the field. The path then goes through the middle of the field towards the Motorway ahead.
(1) At the end of the field, go through the gate and turn left onto a quiet road and then walk over the motorway bridge. Follow the road as it goes slightly uphill, walk around a gate and then follow the track ahead as it goes past a great tree and then veers slightly to the left.
(2) When this track forks, follow the right track and then walk through the vast open field for about 1,300m. At the end of the field, pass through the gap in the hedge with big stone blocks and then immediately turn right onto a tree-lined footpath.
(3) After about 300m, take a left onto a footpath going through a gap in the trees, signposted to Flamstead. Follow the path as it bends to the right and then to the left, before it opens up to a lovely view over Flamstead from the top of a hill. Walk down the hill and then turn right at the footpath signpost at the bottom. Follow this footpath for about 700m as it passes through three fields and then reaches a road. About 10m before you get to this road however, take a track to your right that goes back uphill. After a 100m climb, there is a fork in the path. Take the tree-lined path on the right and then follow this until the trees open up on both sides giving you another fantastic view over Flamstead village.
(4) After enjoying the view, continue along the tree-lined path until you see a footpath signpost to Redbourn. Follow this sign into the field and follow the long and winding path with the trees on your left. After about 800m, the path takes you into a small section of woodland. The path through the woods can be a bit wonky, bumpy and muddy if it’s wet, but it’s an enchanting little section of woodland especially in Bluebell season.
(5) When you emerge from the woods, you will start to hear the familiar droning sound of the Motorway. Follow the path through the gap ahead until you reach a metal kissing gate on your left. Go through this metal kissing gate, before immediately going through another metal kissing gate straight ahead and then immediately through a wooden gate straight ahead again. Turn left after the wooden gate and follow the narrow and fenced path that runs parallel to the Motorway. At the end of this path, turn right onto the road and then walk over the Motorway bridge and follow the road as it veers downhill to the left.
(6) After about 100m you’ll see a footpath sign on your right and at this point, almost double back on yourself and then follow the footpath that tracks alongside a fence. After around 50m, turn to the left and follow the field footpath with an electrical tower and then hedges and trees to your left. Keep following the path as it goes through some trees and bushes and then emerges at a play park. Go through the play park and out onto the road below.
(7) Follow the road as it bends to the right and then slightly downhill until the Redbourn common appears on your left. Keep walking along this road until the grand tree-lined path is on your left, and here you turn right and follow the pavement down to the road. Turn right onto this road, and the Hollybush is then 100m ahead on your right.(S/E)
