Sunday Hike Brookmans Park - North Mymms - Bell Bar with bluebell woods 9.2mls

Did you know that there are ancient bluebell woodlands in Hertfordshire with carpets of blue flowers (see photo)? We can show you where they are and the best time to visit so join us for a hike from Brookmans Park in Hertfordshire.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, this 9.2 mile (14.8 km) hike is suitable for all and there is the option to cut the distance in half if you like.
Meet Sunday 12th April 2026 at 10:30 a.m. for 10:45 start. Hike starts and finishes near Brookmans Park Station. Meet on grass between Station Road and Station Close, Brookmans Park, Herts AL9 7SU.
Nearest post code: AL9 7SU
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.721858 , -0.203992
OSGB National Grid Reference: TL242041
What3Words https://w3w.co/toast.heads.pits
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
Brookmans Park, North Mymms Park, passing Bush Wood (bluebells), Welham Green, Bell Bar, Gobions Wood (more bluebells). It is possible to finish half way by taking a train or bus 242 from Welham Green station back to Brookmans Park.
Most of the route is on public footpaths, public bridleways or residential roads with pavement or grass verge. Some short sections are on roads with no pavement but no through traffic. Total distance is 9.2 mls, 14.8 km. We plan to finish by 16:45 or earlier.
HIKING MAP:
Ordnance Survey 'Explorer' 1:25,000 scale, Sheet 182 St Albans & Hatfield.
ONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Herts Hikers and is on Wikiloc: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/brookmans-park-north-mymms-bell-bar-loop-v1-133206939
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):
From London Moorgate 09:31, Old Street [OLD], Essex Road [EXR], Highbury & Islington [HHY], Finsbury Park [FPK] 09:45, Harringay [HGY], Hornsey [HRN], Alexandra Palace [AAP], New Southgate [NSG], Oakleigh Park [OKL], New Barnet [NBA], Hadley Wood [HDW], Potters Bar [PBR] to Brookmans Park [BPK] at 10:10 a.m.
From Welwyn Garden City [WGC]: Great Northern trains 10:02 calling at Hatfield [HAT], Welham Green [WMG] to Brookmans Park [BPK] at 10:12.
From St Albans: Bus 84 from St Albans City Railway Station Stop "B" at 09:11 to Potters Bar Station 09:43 then bus 242 at 09:46 to Brookmans Park Station or train at 10:07 to Brookmans Park Station.
From Waltham Cross 09:00, Cheshunt, Cuffley 09:31, Potters Bar Station 09:46 by bus 242 to Brookmans Park Station 09:54.
See Intalink bus travel in Hertfordshire https://www.intalink.org.uk/
CAR PARKING NEAR MEETING LOCATION:
Brookmans Park Station car park £3.80 on Sunday. APCOA Parking, location code 3626. Pay by credit card, by APCOA Connect App or pay on-line before you arrive https://citycentre.apcoa.co.uk/carpark/location/brookmans-park-station/3626 This may be easier if you don't already have the APCOA Connect app. Alternatively, it may be possible to park free in nearby streets such as Brookmans Avenue AL9 7QH (please park considerately).
PLACES OF INTEREST:
Gobion's Wood (Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust)
https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/gobions-wood
Café at Dutch garden centre, Bell Bar https://dutchmarketplace.co.uk/dutch-cafe/
WHAT TO BRING
Most of the route is on public footpaths in the countryside. Some of these may be slippery, muddy or stony in places. We recommend:

• adequate footwear, preferably hiking boots, with thick soles and good grip
• waterproof jacket or umbrella for rain
• sun hat if sunny
• drink essential (1 - 2 litres)
• packed lunch (optional).

• Important to know
Mid morning stop/early lunch stop for packed lunch outdoors 6.5 km from the start. Late lunch stop at Bell Bar 10.4 km from start, you can go to the Café at Dutch garden centre or visit Cock O'the North pub.
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 but you can join at the start of your first event. 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 so that would be £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/