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Home> Walks> England> Hertfordshire> Walking the Beane Valley

Walking the Beane Valley

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Walk directions

Walk past the entrance to Lordship Gardens. At the green bear left, passing Old School Green. Before a bend go right on to a bridleway. Go left of the gates to Walkern Hall. Passing horse paddocks to your left and the stucco hall to the right, reach a lane and turn right.

Immediately past Walkern Hall Farm turn left to leave the lane for a bridleway signed 'Bassus Green'. Continue past some farm buildings on a track to a stream. Ascend, with woods to your right, curving right to a lane. At the lane go left to Bassus Green and straight on at the crossroads, on to a farm access lane.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Field paths, bridleways and village roads
  Landscape  - Rolling chalkland scenery, descending to deeply cut valley
  Dog friendliness  - Mostly arable land, but some cattle pasture; horse paddocks round many farms; on lead in Walkern village
  Parking  - On roadside near Benington's parish church
  Toilets en route  - None on route
Walks in Hertfordshire
About the walk
The River Beane flows south from the chalk ridge that runs northeast from Baldock to Royston. This very pretty walk follows the Beane south from Walkern, where it is little more than a meandering stream. The walk's two parishes have a very different relationship to the river. Benington has the...
Read more
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About the area
As Hertfordshire is so close to London, many of its towns have become commuter havens. St Albans, less than 19 miles (30km) from the capital, has retained its distinctive character, along with many historic remains.
Explore Hertfordshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
Holiday Inn Stevenage
★★★★
award
"Modern hotel in the heart of Stevenage with its own gym...."
  • Family rooms: 8
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Self-Catering
High Trees Farm
★★★★
awardaward
"Luxury living with high ceilings and windows overlooking the beautiful countryside...."
  • Total units: 2
Hotel
The Farmhouse at Redcoats
★★★★
awardaward
"A perfect mix of the modern and the charmingly rustic...."
  • Family rooms: 5
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
Nearby places to stay
Holiday Inn Stevenage
Holiday Inn Stevenage is situated in the heart of the town centre, just 25 minutes from central London by train. Bedrooms are air conditioned and well equipped; ideal for business and l...
★★★★    Rating
High Trees Farm
Discover three beautiful holiday cottages at High Trees Farm, a 600-year-old working farm set in 200-acres of unspoilt beauty. The cottages enjoy panoramic views over a gently undulatin...
★★★★    Rating
The Farmhouse at Redcoats
Part of Anglian Country Inns, the Farmhouse at Redcoats dates back to the 15th century. Quirky details, historic features and stylish interiors make for a memorable stay, while the surr...
★★★★    Rating
The Wellington
Enjoying a prominent position in the heart of the pretty village of Welwyn, The Wellington offers a range of beautifully presented, individually styled bedrooms. The most is made of the...
★★★★★    Rating
The White Hart
Parts of the White Hart date back to the 13th century, but most of it is from the 17th century. The spacious bedrooms are individually decorated and thoughtfully equipped, some in a bou...
★★★★    Rating
The Fox
The Fox is a country inn and fine dining restaurant situated in the north Hertfordshire village of Willian. It offers eight individually styled ‘country-smart’ bedrooms, each attractive...
★★★★    Rating
Hitchin Priory Hotel
The Hitchin Priory Hotel enjoys a prominent location with the high street and the centre of Town just a short walk away. The priory dates back to the 14th century when it was founded as...
★★★    Rating
Hyde Mill
Hyde Mill offers high quality bed and breakfast accommodation and self-catering apartments on the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire border. In an idyllic location on the banks of the River...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Tilbury
The Tilbury
   AA Rosette Award
The Orangery
   AA Rosette Award
The Wellington
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Tilbury
The Tilbury
   AA Rosette Award
The Orangery
   AA Rosette Award
The Wellington
   AA Rosette Award
The Wellington
The White Hart
The White Hart
   AA Rosette Award
The Fox
View all
Route details
2hrs 45min
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Gentle


Distance:
6 miles (9.7kms)

Ascent:
165ft (50m)

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Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Hertfordshire
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Walking the Beane Valley

Recommended by
Walk details
2hrs 45min
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Gentle
Distance:
6 miles (9.7kms)
Ascent:
165ft (50m)
Walk directions

Walk past the entrance to Lordship Gardens. At the green bear left, passing Old School Green. Before a bend go right on to a bridleway. Go left of the gates to Walkern Hall. Passing horse paddocks to your left and the stucco hall to the right, reach a lane and turn right.
1 of 6

Immediately past Walkern Hall Farm turn left to leave the lane for a bridleway signed 'Bassus Green'. Continue past some farm buildings on a track to a stream. Ascend, with woods to your right, curving right to a lane. At the lane go left to Bassus Green and straight on at the crossroads, on to a farm access lane.
2 of 6

At Walkern Bury Farm turn left. By a byway sign turn right on to a track to descend into the valley bottom. Here you turn left on to a green lane. Follow this muddy green lane into Walkern village.
3 of 6

From St Mary's Church cross the River Beane on a footbridge, then turn left through a kissing gate into pasture. Beyond some farm buildings head diagonally to a kissing gate and then on to the road. Turn left into Walkern High Street to walk through the village, keeping ahead at the junction signposted 'Benington'.
4 of 6

Once out of the village, where the road bears left, go through a gate and immediately go left to a gate along a track. Go through a kissing gate this for the start of a mile-long (1.6km) walk along the Beane Valley, the river winding on your left. At a footpath junction, where the river swings right, cross it on a wooden footbridge.
5 of 6

Now head between arable fields towards woodlands on the ridge ahead. Cross the road (to a footpath signposted 'Benington 1') and climb to the woods. After these you pass through Lordship Farm – follow the waymarker arrows painted on the buildings – on to an often very muddy track. Continue into cattle-grazed pasture and keep right when the track forks, to a galvanised gate. Across a footbridge the path bears right in more pasture to bypass Benington Bury, a large Victorian house, to a gate in the far corner. The path skirts Lordship Gardens on your right and sheep pasture on your left to Walkern Road. Turn right, back to the green and St Peter's Church.

 
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Field paths, bridleways and village roads
  Landscape - Rolling chalkland scenery, descending to deeply cut valley
  Dog friendliness - Mostly arable land, but some cattle pasture; horse paddocks round many farms; on lead in Walkern village
  Parking - On roadside near Benington's parish church
  Toilets en route - None on route
Walks in Hertfordshire
About the walk
The River Beane flows south from the chalk ridge that runs northeast from Baldock to Royston. This very pretty walk follows the Beane south from Walkern, where it is little more than a meandering stream. The walk's two parishes have a very different relationship to the river. Benington has the...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Hertfordshire
As Hertfordshire is so close to London, many of its towns have become commuter havens. St Albans, less than 19 miles (30km) from the capital, has retained its distinctive character, along with many historic remains.
Explore Hertfordshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
Holiday Inn Stevenage
★★★★
award
"Modern hotel in the heart of Stevenage with its own gym...."
  • Family rooms: 8
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Self-Catering
High Trees Farm
★★★★
awardaward
"Luxury living with high ceilings and windows overlooking the beautiful countryside...."
  • Total units: 2
Hotel
The Farmhouse at Redcoats
★★★★
awardaward
"A perfect mix of the modern and the charmingly rustic...."
  • Family rooms: 5
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
Nearby places to stay
Holiday Inn Stevenage
Holiday Inn Stevenage is situated in the heart of the town centre, just 25 minutes from central London by train. Bedrooms are air conditioned and well equipped; ideal for business and l...
★★★★    Rating
High Trees Farm
Discover three beautiful holiday cottages at High Trees Farm, a 600-year-old working farm set in 200-acres of unspoilt beauty. The cottages enjoy panoramic views over a gently undulatin...
★★★★    Rating
The Farmhouse at Redcoats
Part of Anglian Country Inns, the Farmhouse at Redcoats dates back to the 15th century. Quirky details, historic features and stylish interiors make for a memorable stay, while the surr...
★★★★    Rating
The Wellington
Enjoying a prominent position in the heart of the pretty village of Welwyn, The Wellington offers a range of beautifully presented, individually styled bedrooms. The most is made of the...
★★★★★    Rating
The White Hart
Parts of the White Hart date back to the 13th century, but most of it is from the 17th century. The spacious bedrooms are individually decorated and thoughtfully equipped, some in a bou...
★★★★    Rating
The Fox
The Fox is a country inn and fine dining restaurant situated in the north Hertfordshire village of Willian. It offers eight individually styled ‘country-smart’ bedrooms, each attractive...
★★★★    Rating
Hitchin Priory Hotel
The Hitchin Priory Hotel enjoys a prominent location with the high street and the centre of Town just a short walk away. The priory dates back to the 14th century when it was founded as...
★★★    Rating
Hyde Mill
Hyde Mill offers high quality bed and breakfast accommodation and self-catering apartments on the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire border. In an idyllic location on the banks of the River...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Tilbury
The Tilbury
   AA Rosette Award
The Orangery
   AA Rosette Award
The Wellington
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Tilbury
The Tilbury
   AA Rosette Award
The Orangery
   AA Rosette Award
The Wellington
   AA Rosette Award
The Wellington
The White Hart
The White Hart
   AA Rosette Award
The Fox
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby