WALKING AND EXPLORING THE RIVER MIMRAM - 20 MILES (Hertfordshire)

ABOUT THE WALK AND STORY =

I have often done walks in this area of Hertfordshire and crossed the River Mimram. One of my favourite spots was the open access area of the river and meadow near Tewin Mill and was an ideal picnic spot; sadly this is now closed. I never really grasped the unique qualities of this special chalk river in Hertfordshire, between King's Walden and Hertford. It was on a recent visit to a bookshop in Stevenage that I found a copy of Tony Rook's book - “River Mimram”. I thought where's that? That evening I devoured the book and realised I had often walked and crossed the river unknowingly. The next day I
pulled out my maps and traced a route using the nearest right of way, be it a road or footpath to the river. Although the river is only 121/2 miles long, I would walk a good 20 miles to follow its course, for few paths follow its banks and I detoured to see some of the key river features. Also I would be walking almost across the county from north-west to south-east.

Three days later I caught the train to Hitchin and then the bus to King's Walden where the river begins and set off. Half the route was on footpaths and the other half on quiet lanes and was a revelation and a walk of discovery. The clear river kept crossing my route as I walked the Mimram Valley and from a small stream and watercress beds, near King's Walden, it grew in size. In Whitwell I sidetracked down a short lane to the river and there was an information board
about the river and a short one-way walk along its banks. Later, in the original part of Welwyn I crossed the Mimram ford in the “town” and later again, seeing the wide and crystal clear water. And then through Tewin and Pansanger to my favourite location at Poplar's Green, near Tewin. Here I had to be content to follow the only right of way to the footbridge over the river, but it was worth it I detoured along the road (B1000) to see the bridge and river into Pansanger
Park.

That really would be almost the last time I saw the river as I crossed over the valley side and headed for Hertfordbury. Here a final side trip brought to the road bridge over the river. Then onto the Cole Green Way and the Hertford Town Football Club close to the junction where the river flows into the River Lea ~ from there it takes 24 hours to flow into the Thames! Then finally along the road into Hertford town and a bus home.

A5. Placed in a plastic wrap around cover the signed by John Merrill.

Cloth embroidered Walk badge and signed certificate by John Merrill.

Successful walkers added to my Walkers Roill of Honour Page.