From Broxbourne to Hertford on the Lee
Route facts
Waterways:
River Lee »
Distance: 8 miles / 12.8km
Difficulty: Easy
Suitable for: Everyone
Starts at: Broxbourne Station
Ends at: Hertford Station
A one-way, much varied walk along the River Lee, with the railway line within reach at three points giving the option to return after a shorter distance if wanted.
A lovely meandering walk which takes in peaceful Hertfordshire scenes such as water meadows, woods and the pleasant town of Ware. Several pubs offer waterside refreshment.
Getting there
Parking: There is a car park at Broxbourne Station
Public transport: Trains run once an hour from Hertford to Broxbourne. Journey time is 25 minutes.
Waypoints
1. To the river
Leave the station and walk left on Nazeing New Road, turn right down Old Nazeing Road to Crown Bridge, cross the navigation and turn left upstream. By the first lock, Carthagena, is a 1930s grand lock keepers cottage. The path here is good and with the old gravel pits on each side now used as recreational lakes, it is a most agreeable walk.
2. From Dobb's Wier to St Margarets
Above Dobb's weir Bridge the towpath changes to the left, where it stays to Hertford. At Feilde's Weir Lock the River Stort flows in to join the Lee, which continues north past a busy go-cart track and Rye House Gatehouse to St Margarets where there is a pub and a station if you want to return.
3. Along the towpath to Ware
From here the walk is a dead straight two miles to Ware with lovely water meadows and wooded hill sides. In Ware there are more refreshment choices and another return station. The water front has some beautiful summer houses and Ware Lock gorgeous flower beds.
4. And finally to Hertford
From Ware, the navigation meanders through more park land and passes the New Gauge House Intake where water flows into the New River. This is considerably older than it's name suggests having been built to supply clean water to London and completed in 1613. The Lee Navigation enters Hertford via a deep lock, a basin with lots of boats and past a pretty row of bow fronted cottages. Hertford station is on the left where the tow path changes to the right. The end of navigation is a short way further on at Folly Bridge.
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