Preston, Dead Woman's Lane and Wain Wood

Start: The Red Lion, The Green, Preston, Hitchin, SG4 7UD. Grid ref: TL 180 247

(S/E) Head west on Church Lane past the converted chapel and the church, then turn right in to Butchers Lane. After 100m, look out for a footpath through the hedge on the left. Take this path across a field passing between a farm and a cowshed. The path curves to the left after the cowshed to a gate and stile, then continues to the left of a hedge to a kissing gate in to Dead Woman's Lane.

(1) Turn right on (A) Dead Woman's Lane. The lane climbs gently. After half a mile you meet a road.

(2) Cross the road (left and then right) and continue in the same direction on the lane opposite (Tatmorehills Lane). This descends, climbs, then starts to descend again.

(3) After passing a black, metal post the lane descends again and curves left. Leave it on a footpath to the right through the hedge. Continue along the left hand edge of a field. The footpath climbs a little before descending to cross a valley, then climbs again along the edge of (B) Wain Wood.

(4) Just before a kissing gate, turn left up a bank into the wood by a noticeboard. Turn right and follow the permissive path as it winds through the west side of the wood. Cross straight over a footpath by a second noticeboard and continue for another 200m.

(5) Leave the wood through a gate onto the edge of the village playing field. Head directly across the playing field, aiming to the left of the house on the far side. Leave the playing field and turn right onto Hitchin Road.

Walk along the grass verge and bear left with the road as it crosses the end of Chequers Lane to return to the village green (S/E).

"We hope you have enjoyed your walk. Please remember to rate the walk and add comments. We are interested in how we could improve the instructions or the route and would like to hear about any issues with paths on the walk."

TERRAIN: An easy walk, with steady ascents and descents. Paths are good.

START & FINISH: The Red Lion, The Green, Preston, Hitchin SG4 7UD. Grid ref: TL 180 247

FOOD & DRINK: The Red Lion in Preston.

PARKING: Parking at the Red Lion for customers only. Otherwise please park considerately in the village.

LOCAL TRANSPORT: Bus 88 runs between Luton and Hitchin on Mondays to Fridays.

A DEAD WOMAN'S LANE: According to local legend, Dead Woman’s Lane was named after victims of the 1349 plague who were buried nearby. Now it is a charming quiet byway, hedge lined and shaded by mature trees.

B WAIN WOOD: Once part of a much larger forest, it has become a SSSI because of the range of plants and trees it supports. It is a good place to see primroses and bluebells.

The wood was popular with Quaker families from Hitchin in the 1800s, but will always be associated with the Baptist preacher, John Bunyan. He preached in a dell in the wood, known as Bunyan's Dell, sometimes to over a thousand people.