Around the Chess Valley

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Walk directions

From Sarratt Green walk north. Beyond Great Sarratt Hall Farm go left through a kissing gate, signed 'Rose Hall'. Go through a kissing gate, bear right across pastures, then via two more kissing gates, go along a lane, beside some woods, now on the Chiltern Way. Take the left fork to skirt Rose Hall Farm to a path and a stile. Go through a kissing gate and skirt right of the barns of Bragman's Farm to the lane via a kissing gate and a hand gate.

Turn left uphill and go right at a 'Chiltern Way' sign via a stile. Go diagonally across the field to a stile, then by the hedge to a lane via a kissing gate. Turn right. Past Newhouse Farm turn left on to a path. At a kissing gate go diagonally right across a field and, through a kissing gate at the hedge, bear right to a lane.

Go through a kissing gate, turn left and walk through Flaunden. At the church turn left on to a bridleway signed 'Public Restricted Highway'. Follow this to a T-junction by two small observatories and turn right.

As the lane goes left, carry on along a bridleway into woods. Go left, ignoring a path to the right. Eventually fork right and descend steeply. Emerging from the wood descend between fences to the road.

Turn left, pass Latimer Green, then turn left again, passing through a kissing gate on to the Chess Valley Walk. Descend to an information board on the right about Flaunden old church. Rejoin the path and go through a kissing gate, passing Liberty's tomb. Go through a hand gate, follow the waymarkers through Mill Farm via two hand gates and turn left on to a lane.

After about 150yds (137m) leave the lane on the right and carry on through a gate, on the Chess Valley Walk. Go through a kissing gate into a copse, and on leaving it follow the path between fences, crossing a stile. When you reach a concrete access road go straight on, with working cress beds on your right.

At the lane turn right, bearing left uphill at a T-junction, leaving the Chess Valley Walk. Beyond Cakebread Cottage go right, through a kissing gate. Ascend alongside a hedge, go over a stile and cross pasture to the left corner to join a sycamore and beech avenue. Cross over a stile and walk alongside a holly hedge to Sarratt churchyard.

Retrace your steps out of the churchyard and bear diagonally right towards the woods – you will reach them at a Chiltern Way signpost. Continue along the wood edge, then cross a drive via a stile and a kissing gate. Follow the path through a copse, then alongside a hedge through pasture to emerge via a kissing gate between houses into Sarratt Green.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Paths, tracks, village roads and country lanes

Landscape - Chalk plateau and water-meadows

Dog friendliness - Frequent horses and cattle; signs near Latimer. Off lead in Long Wood north of Latimer

Parking - On west side of Sarratt Green

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Hertfordshire

About the walk

In the late 18th century Flaunden village migrated uphill to cottages built by Lord Latimer, who owned the manor. These rows of flint and brick cottages remain today. In 1838 the rector of Latimer's nephew, the young George Gilbert Scott, designed his first church here, a humble start for the great...

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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

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

Learn more

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

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.