Hatfield Forest and the Flitch Way

We nearly didn’t make it to Hatfield Forest on 21st September for Richard's walk. Jill was driving along the approach road and two muntjac deer hurtled across the road right in front of her. Fortunately, Jill was going slowly and was able to brake because another, fallow, deer then crossed the road. Hearts settling down, we made our way to the car park.

The group in Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest is under the care of the National Trust and is a National Nature Reserve. We had to produce membership cards to obtain free parking. The forecast had been for rain but the sun was now shining  and we boldly set off with the rainwear either left in the cars or packed in our rucksacks. A quick drink at the café (and a monster flapjack – 416 cal – for Brian) and we set off across grounds showing the unmistakeable imprint of Capability Brown. The sun beat down on the exposed grassland and Jill for one took off her trouser bottoms – the bit below the knee, I hasten to add.Lunch at Takeley Station

We walked over to the former rail line bordering the forest and now part of the Flitch Way. This is now a popular route for walkers, joggers and cyclists and we turned down it to make our way to Takeley station. We had our lunch there and posed for pictures outside the building and platform, now disused. A return walk down the Frith Way felt much shorter, even though we had to wait for a large group of cyclists to go past. On to the top edge of the Forest, we turned off the Frith Way and headed back, having to avoid some cows on the way. Back at the café we had more drinks in the beautiful sunshine and watched as the queue at the café got longer and longer. When will National Trust institute a more logical way of dealing with orders for coffee?

We calculated we covered just over five miles which in that heat was enough. Suitably refreshed, we climbed into the cars and went home.

 Brian.  24th September 2024