Watton-at-Stone Circular Walk

20km (12.4 miles)

OS Landranger 166; Explorer 193 and 194

2 out of 10.

This walk is in the rolling hills of rural Hertfordshire.

Lunch is at the The Boot pub in the village of Dane End.

There is a short cut option late in the walk, more for those who find that they are tiring. An 800-metre section of it is along a twisting road.

If you do the full walk (i.e. not the shorter ending) there's a particularly attractive stretch alongside the River Beane near the end.

The George and Dragon pub in Watton's High Street is a good place to stop for tea (or a meal) while waiting for the train back. Incidentally, the town's unusual name derives from a local variety of puddingstone.

a) Short ending.

You may shorten the walk by 3.3km to 16.7km.

Section of short route is closed due to construction until 23 April 2022.

Trains go from London Kings Cross to Watton-at-Stone, journey time is 45 minutes.

Suggested train : Take the nearest train to 9.45am from Kings Cross Station to Watton-at-Stone. If stopping at the earlier lunch stop at Benington, take the nearest train to 10.45am.

• The Lordship Arms Whempstead Road, Benington, SG2 7BX. (01438 869665) Snack menu, baguettes etc. served noon - 2pm. Located 4.4 km from the start of the walk.
• The Boot Mundon Rd, Dane End, SG12 0LH (01920 437034). Located 7.8 km from the start of the walk. Open lunchtime Tue-Thu, noon-2.30pm; closed Friday; Sat-Sun noon-11pm/10.30pm. Food: Tue-Wed pre-book only. Thu noon-2pm; Sat noon-2.30pm; Sun 1-4.30pm. Closed all day Monday. (Groups please phone to book.)
• The Robin Hood Ware Road, Tonwell, SG12 0HN. (01920 463352) Food served noon - 2pm. For groups larger than 6, please phone ahead. Located 14 km from the start of the walk.

• The Bull 113 High St, Watton-at-Stone, SG14 3SB (01920 831032)
• The George and Dragon 82 High St, Watton-at-Stone, SG14 3TA (01920 830285)

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Jul-22 DAC