Sunday Hike WGC100 - Welwyn Garden City Circular Walk, SW section 9.2 mls

Join us for a hike in the Hertfordshire countryside around Welwyn Garden City. Meet 10:30 for 10:45 start on the steps outside the Howard Centre shopping mall, Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City. Please see map and photo in the Meetup photo album for this event https://www.meetup.com/southhertshikers/photos/35864448/
Look for our Meetup sign.

This is a joint event with South Herts Footpath Society. If one event is full there may be spaces on the other.

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:
This route includes about one third of the Welwyn Garden City Centenary Walk (WGC100) to the South and West of WGC. See link below for the full route. Start and finish at Welwyn Garden City Station. The first 1.6 mls (2.6 km) is through built-up area then we get to King George V Fields, The Common, then we follow WGC100 past Stanborough Lakes to Lemsford Village. Outdoor lunch stop in Lemsford Village or pub stop at the Sun, Lemsford. Continue on the WGC100 route through Brocket Park to Sherrardspark Wood then return to the station.

Total distance is 9.2 mls (14.8 km) with slight hills. The route is on pavements, public footpaths or public bridleways. These may be muddy in places after wet weather. The pace is moderate rather than brisk. We are likely to finish the hike by about 16:45 or earlier.

PLACES OF INTEREST:
For details of the whole Welwyn Garden City Centenary Circular Walk
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/media-library/documents/environment-and-planning/countryside-management-service/walking-and-cycling-routes/pdf/welwyn-garden-city-centenary-circular-walk.pdf

HIKING MAP:
Ordnance Survey 'Explorer' 1:25,000 Sheet 182 St Albans & Hatfield.

ONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Herts Hikers. For our part of the WGC100, there is a map in the event details above with further details on Wikiloc: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/wgc100-welwyn-garden-city-circular-walk-south-western-section-loop-56783025
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 you can use your favourite mobile phone GPS app such as OSMand, Komoot, All Trails, Outdoor Active, Organic Maps or Google Maps to follow the route.

HOW TO GET TO THE MEETING LOCATION:
By train, the railway station is inside the Howard Centre.
From London King's Cross (KGX) 10:02, Finsbury Park 10:08, Alexandra Palace, Potters Bar or Hatfield to Welwyn Garden City (WGC) arriving 10:31. We will wait for the 10:31 train to arrive.
From London Harringay (HGY) 09:44, Hornsey, New Southgate, Oakleigh Park, New Barnet and all stations to Welwyn garden City arriving 10:17
From Stevenage (SVG) 10:10 to Welwyn Garden City arriving 10:21.
By bus. See: https://www.intalink.org.uk
From St Albans City Railway Station Stop "A" 09:40 bus 301 to Welwyn Garden City Bus Station Stop C 10:28
From Hertford Mill Bridge Hertford Theatre bus 324 09:45 to Welwyn Garden City Bus Station Stop G 10:07
CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
Car parking in the Howard Centre Multi-Storey car park costs £2.50 all day on Sunday or alternatively, Hunters Bridge Multi-Storey car park, Osborn Way, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6UN free Sundays, 10 mins walk away
It may also be possible to park in nearby streets (please park considerately).
WHAT TO BRING

• Adequate footwear, preferably hiking boots, with good grip
• Warm outdoor jacket and a waterproof jacket or umbrella in case it rains
• Drink
• Packed lunch

• Important to know
Although our events are shown on Meetup as free, so you don't need to pay when you sign up, we have a small annual membership subscription and we also invite a donation for each event. This is to cover the running costs of this Meetup Group including Meetup Organisers’ subscription, affiliations and other costs. This applies to everyone including guests who attends an event but you can pay at your first event.
Annual membership subscription
We have an nominal annual membership subscription of £1 if you join from 1st Jan - 30th June, 50p if you join from 1st July - 30th November and free if you join in December. You need to be an annual member to attend our events Annual members can also join our group email list and receive details of our walks programme. Annual membership is valid for both sections of our group, South Herts Hikers and South Herts Footpath Society.
Event donation
We also invite a donation of £3 per event. That's £4.00 for your first hike after 1st Jan 2026 or £3.00 per event after that. Cash is preferred or you can use Paypal https://paypal.me/SouthHertsHikers
Please note our conventions and guidelines . From this Meetup Group's home page https://www.meetup.com/southhertshikers/ see What we're about > Read More
To summarise:

• The walk leader sets the pace suitable for the slowest member. We stop from time to time to regroup. You may need extra clothing to put on for stops in colder weather.
• We have members of different ages and genders and we like everyone to relate to each other on an equal basis.
• We welcome members from different nationalities and cultures and we don't quiz anyone about their background or country of origin, they can tell us if they like but this is optional.
• We avoid heated debates or any discussions about controversial or unpleasant subjects.

For our policy on dogs on our hikes, please see our FAQ page, http://southhertshikers.uk/faq/