Three Burys Walks St Albans

About trip

CHILDWICKBURY, REDBOURNBURY

AND GORHAMBURY

VER VALLEY WALK 5

The Three Burys Walk

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From the start walk down St Michael’s Street to the river with its ancient ford, and bridge and Kingsbury Mill beyond. Note the large

piece of Puddingstone on the Mill verge.

Bear left into Branch Road, at the end turn left, cross Verulam Road, and diagonally cross the recreation ground. Cross the main

road to the drive opposite.

There are fine views back to the Abbey, and the Ver Valley to the west . Turn left onto a bridleway skirting the perimeter of the golf

course. Here are views, west, towards Gorhambury House and Buncefield .

During springtime detour into Batchwood for a stunning display of bluebells .

Enter an enclosed footpath at the edge of Ladies Grove Wood, this emerges onto the estate drive that leads to Childwickbury House

and Childwick Green . Little Owls can be seen in daylight here, listen out for their ‘screech’ call.

Turn left then cross the Harpenden Road (A1081) . Follow a footpath to Ayres End Lane. Take the track behind the cottages to East

Common; turn left, pass Barnville Cricket Club and the Three Horseshoes Pub on The Common .

Skirt round the edge of Harpenden Common and re-cross the Harpenden Road to Beesonend Lane. Follow this towards

Redbournbury Mill. (Detour over the two footbridges to visit Redbournbury Mill , working museum and bakery).

Otherwise turn south, along the River Ver Trail, towards St Albans. For the next 2kms the path passes beside Redbournbury and Punch

Bowl watermeadows .

Passing the Works (former chalk-pit) the footpath leads to the Estate drive on the approach to Shafford Farm and Mill . Watch

out for Grey Wagtails that build their nests under bridges. Cross the Redbourn Road to the footpath opposite to enter the

Gorhambury Estate. N.B. the footpath through the Estate is ‘permissive’ only. The path is normally open 8am-6pm but closed on certain

days including Saturdays, September to end January. Should the estate footpath be closed, use the roadside path back to St Albans

then follow Bluehouse Hill (A4147) to rejoin the route.

Follow the millstream until the site of Pre Mill is reached , then take the estate road over the river and, at a T-junction, turn left.

Look out for birds of prey, such as Red Kite and Buzzard – also listen out for deep ‘cronk’ call of Raven. There are fine views of the

Abbey along the drive, before the Roman Theatre .

Cross Bluehouse Hill via the crossing and walk through St Michael’s churchyard to return to Verulamium Mus