9 off the train, incl. 1 first-timer, with 1 car driver waiting outside, ie 10 in weather that was grey to just before lunch then mostly sunny

At the start of the walk, there were some mutterings containing the 'S-word', but in the end all 10 completed the full route, incl. at least 2 stops at hostelries.

In more detail: the weather was more autumnal than summery initially, but the fully grown corn field near the start (with a fine wide path through it) and some harvested (but not yet ploughed) cereal fields confirmed that we were in fact in mid-summer. Mature fields make for a fine pathcwork of colours in the rolling landscape, which everyone seemed to enjoy.

We saw sticklebacks in the Hiz River by Charlton, speedwell and scarlet pimpernel, fields of clover, kites galore, partridges running wild and plenty of pheasants (and pheasant feeders).

Upon approaching the Pegsdon Hills, the sun decided to make an appearance and the descent into the view was as marvellous as ever. There was a field of pyramid orchids en route (a 'weed reserve' apparently) and the sandwichers dropped off on the slope to have their break. They made it to The View just before us lunchers got our food, so took up another table on the terrace, both with 'The View' back to the hills just descended. The pub/restaurant has much improved since its last management (and name) change.

On up to the Icknield Way past the Knocking Hoe NNR, and only a bit later we passed The Motte & Bailey in Pirton, where - by public demand - we sat down for a snifter. After passing the motte & bailey and the deserted medieval settlement, it was more fields with easy paths and fine views before going through the Oughtonhead Nature Reserve, which again everyone seemed to enjoy. Having had a 2nd pub stop, we were always going to be too late for the mega-charming Oughtonhead Farmgate Tea Room, but when it later came to the decison point: turn left to the station or right to The Half Moon, I was surprised to see that the vote went 8:2 for The Half Moon (a multi CAMRA-award-winning pub).

Surprised as it had been a long day already, especially so for the first-timer (one of the longest walks she has walked) and for the 2 convalescents, for whom this was the longest walk in several years! Hitchin, the Lourdes of the North!

Very fine day out, with plenty of great chat along the way. Group cohesion: 9.5 out of 10

4 on a day that started sunny turned cloudy ended sunny We progressed at a fair rate of knots. Lunch was taken at the Green Man (which I hadn’t realised was on a lengthy detour) It was fine and the others liked their meals.

On we sped. By now, yours truly was trailing. The others headed for the hills, I headed for Shortcut 1.

I waited for them at the Motte and Bailey with a half of Old Rosey. They turned up eventually and we were off again. Zooming past the motte and the abandoned village and through the big fields, where I lost sight of them.

Approaching Oughtonhead, I’m afraid, readers, I succumbed to the temptation of Shortcut 2. Never again. Should have gone on. A dreary disappointing end to an otherwise enjoyable walk.

The others caught me up at the station in time for the 1730

Just 4 on this enjoyable walk on a cool and gloomy day. Making good time, we decided to head for the second pub, rather than have a picnic on the chilly hillside. After pop-up catering & good beer, we set off again & ended up doing the long walk, squeezing in a tea stop at the farm gate café. A final beer in Hitchin rounded off a great day out.

Thanks for scheduling what looks like a great walk in unfamiliar territory for many of us. Live and Let Live pub still closed, so picnic time.

Yes and no: I just called them. The Lady on the phone said they will be open, and be selling drinks and there will be a BBQ outside...(?) So, at least liquid refreshments should be available.

But picnic on the hillside with views of the pub is at least as good as the real thing.

12 off the train, 1 off an earlier one, 1 car driver, 14 walkers in overcast clearing to mostly sunny and warm weather. Groups of 5 and 2 and 5 set off with the walk-checker plus 1 other staying behind, but the second group of 5 seemed to have problems following the route from early on and various members of it were then found later joining other subgroups (a yellow-card offence).

Lots of swaying cereal fields, loads of wildflowers, especially in the Pegsdon Hills with the attendant butterflies, bees, wasps and bumblebees. Picnic was had on the slopes of the Pegsdon Hills, overlooking the Bedfordshire Plain (and the lunch pub), with the various groups spreading out along the two described descent routes. While the pub seemed shut from its main entrance, the group descending along the alternate route could see that there was some activity at the back, so we enquired about drinks, and were rewarded with freshly pulled pints. In fact they were just setting up and a BBQ was indeed fired up as we left (jerk chicken seemd to be on the menu).

On to Hitchin along Icknield Way, fields and through the lovely Oughtonhead Nature Reserve. The Farm Gate Cafe is still Covid-shut, but Hitchin town centre was heaving, with lots of cafes, ice cream parlours and pubs being open.

16.41 train for the first group.

The ‘fast’ group picknicked at the recommended picnic spot on Pegsdon Hills, taking over the bench from a family who were just moving on as we arrived. A couple others caught up and dined an appropriate socially-distanced distance away. We set off hoping for refreshments at the Live and Let Live, but there were no obvious signs of the imminent opening the others discovered. We did have a lovely break at the Motte and Bailey in the next village. Very picturesque, well run spot. Upon arrival in Hitchin, we deemed town too busy and made our way to the station. Stopped for a drink en route, but discovered after we had set down in the beer garden that ordering was through an app only. No one had the patience for that, so we called it a day and made the 16:41.

Great day. Beautiful blue skies and fields of gold. A field of poppies at one point. Perfect temperature. Only thing lacking was that the wonderful tea stop on the edge of the nature reserve was closed - hopefully they will be back in business soon.

Thomas

Thank you for organising todays walk, much appreciated. The SWC are a great group of people and I am very proud to be part of it.

8 on a sunny with a nice breeze day. We lost one regular who stopped to get water. 5 took the lunchtime shortcut with 2 pressing on to the Pegsdun Hills, stopping in the pub after a picnic. 4 other walkers ordered just before us, & their food arrived just as we were finishing our pints, so not too bad. We all took the shorcut ending into town, stopping at the Molly Malone at different times. The Nightingale is now flats.

3 of the 5 short cutters took a further unofficial shortcut but still ended up totalling a healthy 11.8 miles.

After seeing growing amounts of snow cover on the train journey, 7 eagerly emerged on the platform in Hitchin under bright mostly sunny skies . As a Hitchin virgin, I was somewhat apprehensive about tackling this long walk in early February -- but it was a winter delight with good snow cover, particularly on the hills....Two opted for the short version, leaving 5 on the long-haul who had a rather leisurely (but educational) lunch or drinks at the quirky pub just below the escarpment with fine views back to the snow-capped hills. Once finished with lunch, we headed back up the hill with some nice afternoon views. The afternoon route is varied, including a nice section along a very clear chalk stream. Back in Hitchin at dusk, we did a circuit of the charming old town and church before enjoying some bevies in an old style pub with a wide selection of real ales and ultimately catching the 18:11... So, all in all, a really good winter outing....

I should be there - let's hope the sun is still shining!

13 overcast clearing to sunny and hot

The weather turned out much better than forecast (resulting in sun burn for some) and 13 enjoyed a fine day out in the countryside near Hitchin. This a particularly lovely walk just 30 minutes from Kings Cross and with a sub £9 return ticket if you have a railcard.

About 9 picknicked up on Pegsdon Hills (a particularly fine picnic spot) looking down a steep slope over the Bedforshire plain. The rest took lunch at The Live and Let Live. After lunch, the walk writer explored the link to another walk finishing in Harlington, but everyone else continued on the circular walk back to Hitchin. Anyone who had done the walk before couldn't resist the route back as it meant a chance to stop at Oughtonhead Farm Garden Gate Tea Room. A delightful place to stop for tea: homemade lovely cakes, tea served in vintage china, with seating outside in a lovely garden.

The walk is simply lovely, maybe especially so at this time of the year. Fields of crops in various shades of green, some beginning to turn golden, gentle hills, footpaths through fields clearly marked, dramatic views from up on the Pegsdon Hills, a pleasant nature reserve on the outskirts of the town and a fine tea stop. Hitchin itself offers plenty of watering holes and 3 of us enjoyed a drink or two at the CAMRA-endorsed Half Moon pub. Back to London on the 18:30 train.

Keen to do this walk, anyone else?

going

we will be joining at finsbury park. looking forward to it.

16 on this walk with 1 making an early start and doing the "Letchworth variation". The weather warm with sunny periods and a light breeze .

This superb stile-free outing in the rolling, verdant Hertfordshire countryside provided all with a splendid day out. Just before lunch you have some spectacular hill-top views which provides ideal picnic opportunities before descending to the lunch-time pub the Live and let Live. The pub was not very full but some still had to wait awhile for food, The picnickers, keen to get to the fabled Garden Gate Tea Room, set off early and by maintaining a steady pace reached the tea-rooms in good time and were not disappointed. Tea in proper china cups (little fingers appropriately cocked)and cakes to die for were enjoyed by about 10 of us - some pub-lunchers arrived with a few minutes to spare. Definitely a highlight and not to be missed. Although quite a long walk the easy trails, lanes and tracks means you can keep up a good pace without feeling unduly stressed. Some of us did a small circuit of Hitchen - not covered in the gpx file before catching fast train back to London. A superb day out with most opting for the full walk. The 9.22 train may be a better bet and gives you more time to reach the tea-room.

Worth adding that this walk was dry underfoot, despite plenty of heavy rain in the last month. I put this down to the many fields of crops, drinking the ground dry. This was a good time of year to do this walk. The many fields might be dull in colder months and you'd miss the butterflies and wild orchids on Pegsdon Hill.

Intend going.

Intend going. (Quo vadis?)

Two girls have every intention of coming along. One promises to keep up, follow the instructions, leave the flowers alone and be good.

I fully intend going and having looked closely at the spider's web of walk directions, the OS map and the GPX downloaded route have some observations:

1. From the station keep EAST, then 2. keep SOUTH until choices of routes at a. Luton Road and later at b. 4-way bridleway junction.

After lunch at Pegsdon (ETA 1pm?) follow line of least resistance back to Hitchin in need of tea and a lie down in a quiet room.

I may do the shorter version (still 13 miles) leaving an hour later.

I'm just wondering if anyone interested in doing this walk on Sunday as I can't make it Saturday.

13 largely sunny Nice walk for summer with sweeping views. Dry underfoot. One took the early shortcut, missing the hills, but finding a few orchids. At least one took the later shortcut. The garden gate tea stop was a good 'un with big pots of tea and homemade cake and as an added bonus, we got presented with the days leftover cake. It was a hot day and on arrival in Hitchin a massive hydration exercise was undertaken in the Half Moon (Camra Herts pub of the year). Later, some who were still suffering hydration problems had to move on the Bricklayers. Others, made of sterner stuff, headed for home.

Glorious day with great views over the hills and into valleys. Very lucky with the weather which was sunny but with a slight breeze. iIt was one continues celebration of Paul's birthday who must now at least feel two years older. Amazingly, and totally in defiance of normal SWC outings, the group stayed together even after an unprecedented hold up at the lunchtime pub which kept losing orders behind the bar. The service at the tearoom however made more than up for it, see Ian's comment, which not only stayed open for late, slowish-after-lunch walkers like myself, but had still plenty of cakes to give away. The whole day was a complete treat.

I really liked this walk. The countryside was very lovely; I must have counted at least 50 shades of green over the course of the day.

I was one of the unfortunate souls whose lunch order got lost somewhere between the bar and the kitchen, but journalistic objectivity compels me to report that the lunches that arrived on time looked really, really good and everyone else was happy. (To add insult to injury, when my food eventually arrived, it turned out that I'd ordered poorly.)

The walk was long, but not tough. The most exerting part of the day was when the pace really picked up so that we could reach the tea stop in time. But the rush was worth it. The nicest tea stop I've had the pleasure of visiting on a Saturday Walk. Nice people, great cake, gorgeous setting.