Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead

The Grand Union Circular Walk at Kings Langley is an interesting walk, especially for nature and history lovers. Sights along the way include three commons and a wood, two pretty villages, Two Waters (an old coal wharf), a 16th century Manor House, an old paper mill and a famous malted drink factory.

From Bridge 159 on the Grand Union Canal, follow the towpath of the canal all the way to Bridge 149 at Hemel Hempstead railway station. From here, come up onto the roadside, cross under the railway bridge, cross over Roughdown Villas Road and walk briefly along Sheethanger Lane until you get to Roughdown Common at Feldon, on the left.

Walking over the Common, cross over the A41 and follow the footpath until you come back on yourself and cross back under the A41 this time at the roundabouts, taking you onto Featherbed Lane. Continue walking over fields towards the Great Wood and Phasels Wood which you will pass on your right-hand side. Join Rucklers Lane, turn left onto Barnes Lane, passing Badgerdell Wood on your right.

Turn right off Barnes Lane to take you through Scatterdells Wood and continue onto Scatterdells Lane for a short while. Turn left off here heading towards Chipperfield Village, briefly onto Langley Road and then into Kings Lane. At the junction with The Street, turn left onto The Common, walking alongside Chipperfield Common on the right.

Turn left just before the Manor House walking once again towards the A41. Cross over the A41 heading towards Kings Langley. Join and continue down Love Lane turning right into Vicarage Lane. Turn right onto the High Street and follow it down to the roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout and this takes you back to Bridge 159.

If you continue on over the bridge you soon arrive at Kings Langley railway station.

Getting there

Parking: Parking at King's Langley railway station is available and free to rail ticket holders on Saturdays and Sundays.

Public transport: North London Railways provides a fast and frequent service of modern electric trains linking Kings Langley, Apsley and Hemel Hempstead with London (Euston), Watford Junction, Milton Keynes and Northampton. These stations are located close to the canal and trains run every half hour making it easy and convenient to walk one way and return by train, or vice versa. Pick up a free timetable at your local North London Railways station. Cheap Day Returns are valid for one return rail journey on the date shown on the tickets. They are valid for travel after 930am Monday to Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday. A Network Card gives you one third off normal train fares at off-peak times, and you can take three other adults for the same discounted fare and up to four children for just £1.00 each.