Sunday Hike, Welwyn Garden City - Ayot Greenway - Brocket Park circular 7.3 mls

Join like-minded outdoor enthusiasts for a Sunday hike to explore new trails in the Hertfordshire countryside. This 7.3 mile (11.8 km) hike is an ideal length for a short winter day with a pub stop at lunch time and optional tea and cakes in Welwyn Garden City at the end.
Meet 10:30 for 10:45 start on the steps outside the Howard Centre shopping mall, Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City (see photo in photo album for this event).
Nearest post code AL8 6HA
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.80128 , -0.20493
OSGB Grid Reference: TL238129
What3 Words: https://w3w.co/slave.apple.tins
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
Start outside the Howard Centre shopping mall, Welwyn Garden City. Hike via Sherrardspark Wood, Ayot Greenway and Brocket Park to Cromer Hyde. Lunch stop at the Crooked Chimney Pub. After lunch return to Welwyn Garden City via Brocket Park, see event photo above (taken in summer).
Total distance is 7.3 miles (11.8 km) with some small hills, total 132 metres (433 ft) ascent and descent. We plan to finish the hike by 15:45 (sunset 15:50).
PLACES OF INTEREST:
Welwyn Garden City: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwyn_Garden_City
The Crooked Chimney pub https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/east/thecrookedchimneywelwyngarden#/
HIKING MAP:
O.S. 'Explorer' 1:25,000 scale, Sheet 182 St Albans & Hatfield.
ONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Footpath Society. There is a map of the route in the photo album for this event. You can find further route details with photos on Wikiloc. https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/welwyn-garden-city-ayot-greenway-brocket-park-loop-v1-242312070
You can select map or aerial view (OpenStreetmap recommended) and you can zoom in. Navigating the trail outdoors using the Wikiloc app needs the premium version but you can also set up a free Wikiloc login then use a web browser such as Chrome to download a .GPX or .kml file to a mobile device then use a mobile phone GPS app (OSMand, Komoot, All Trails, Outdoor Active, Organic Maps or Google Maps).
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO MEETING LOCATION (CHECK TIMES):
Great Northern trains to Welwyn Garden City Station from Stevenage, London Kings Cross, Finsbury Park and all stations to Welwyn Garden City. The railway station is inside the Howard Centre.
CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
Howard Centre car park (Sundays £2.50 all day, cash or card payment) or nearby streets without waiting restrictions on Sundays (please park considerately).
• What to bring
Much of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside. Some of these may be stony and there could be some muddy patches after wet weather. You need:

• Adequate footwear, preferably hiking boots, with good grip
• Warm outdoor jacket for winter and a waterproof jacket in case it rains
• Drink
• Packed lunch recommended as you may not be able to order food at lunch time.

About 80% of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside and 20% is on pavements in built-up areas.
• Important to know
There will be a mid-morning stop on the Ayot Greenway 3.5 km from the start. There will be an outdoor lunch stop 8.4 km from the start where you can eat your own sandwiches near the The Crooked Chimney pub at Cromer Hyde. You can also go into the pub for a drink but there may not be time to order food. Optional afternoon tea and cakes at Simmons Bakers, 33 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AP afterwards.
Although this event is shown on Meetup as free, so you don't need to pay when you sign up, Meetup group organisers have to pay a subscription to Meetup. This now costs us 429.58 US Dollars for 12 months. We suggest a voluntary donation of £3 for each hike for each participant including guests. This contributes towards the running costs of this Meetup Group. Cash is preferred or you can use Paypal https://paypal.me/SouthHertsHikers
Please note our membership criteria and guidelines for etiquette. From this Meetup Group's home page https://www.meetup.com/southhertshikers/ see What we're about > Read More
For our policy on dogs on our hikes, please see our FAQ page, http://southhertshikers.uk/faq/