Sunday Hike, Hadley Green - Arkley - South Mimms - Bentley Heath circular, 9.9ml

To find out more see who has signed up so far, please see comment below. This is a joint event between South Herts Hikers and South Herts Footpath Society.
Explore scenic footpaths and green spaces in Hertfordshire Green Belt countryside between Barnet and Potters Bar. Have you been to Saffron Green, Wash Lane Common and Bentley Heath? See it while you can, before some of it is lost for ever under the South Mimms Data Centre and possibly also 900 homes. We start and finish at Hadley Green which is near a number of Transport for London Bus routes and 15 mins walk from High Barnet tube station (Northern Line).
Meet 10:30 a.m. for 10:45 start at junction of Hadley Green Road and Hadley Green opposite CYMA Classic Car wash, 242 High St, Barnet EN5 5TD (see photo on map in photo album). Look for our Meetup sign.
Nearest post code: EN5 5TD
Lat/Long (WGS84): 51.658465,-0.200431
O.S. Grid Ref: TQ245970
What3Words https://w3w.co/expect.labels.field
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
From the start, via Arkley Lane to Saffron Green (mid morning stop), then via Dyrham Park, Dancers Hill to Wash Lane Common for outdoor lunch stop. Alternatively, food, snacks and toilets are available nearby at Welcome Break Service Area South Mimms.
Then via Bridgefoot Lane, Bentley Heath, Wrotham Park Estate and along the Great North Road A1000 (with pavement, 1.5 km) to Hadley Highstone, an obelisk marking the site of the Battle of Barnet in 1471. Optional short detour via Monken Hadley Church and back to start.
Total distance 9.9 miles (15.9 km) with some slight hills, 101 metres (331 ft) of ascent and descent.
We expect to finish the hike by about 4:45 p.m.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
Saffron Green Meadows, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron_Green_Meadows
Wrotham Park, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrotham_Park
Battle of Barnet, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Barnet
Save 85 acres of greenbelt in Potters Bar (private Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/581418361117132/
ONLINE MAP:
This route was devised by South Herts Footpath Society and you can find full details on Wikiloc: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/high-barnet-arkley-south-mimms-bentley-heath-loop-v2-39554205
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).
HOW TO GET TO THE MEETING LOCATION:
From Central London by tube: Hadley Green is at the Northern end of Barnet High Street, about 15 mins walk from High Barnet Station (Northern Line)
By bus: TfL buses 34, 107, 184, 234, 263, 307, 326. The Central Connect 84B bus service between Potters Bar and Barnet does not run on a Sunday.
Free parking on Sundays by the A1000 road at Hadley Green near the meeting place. Please see photo in photo album.
• What to bring
Much of this walk is away from roads on quiet countryside public footpaths but most of these do not have a tarmac surface so some paths may be slippery, muddy or stony in places. You need:

• 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
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/