Red Lion Water End Walk

The Red Lion Water End Walk in Water End, Hertfordshire, takes you on a lovely loop through the Chiltern countryside. Throughout the walk, you will have to cross the A4146 two times. This is a bustling road, so be extra cautious when you cross. There are two stiles as well. However, they are easily accessible! One field may have grazing sheep, making it important to keep your pups close. In the winter, the track can get muddy as well!

This 4.8-km loop isn’t super technical, making it fun for almost all ages! The road crossings may deter you from bringing young children, but nothing beats walking by River Gade and strolling through the countryside on a lovely afternoon. Enjoy a pint at the Red Lion afterwards.

The Red Lion Water End Walk begins from the Red Lion overflow car park. From here, walk towards the main car park and take a right at the side courtyard. Go across the road (Red Lion Lane), and take care as you cross! Walk for a few yards before taking a right onto the bridleway: Stags End. Continue along this grass track, admiring the views of the Chiltern countryside from the hill’s brow. When you reach the crossroads, continue straight, but walk along the left-hand side to remain on the footpath. Soon, you will head uphill—with the hedgerow on your right. Look for a waymarker post that’s a little hidden, and take a right to reach the footpath that will lead you along oak trees—notice Varney’s Wood on your left as you walk.

When you get to the end of the woods, you will encounter a gate. Go through it to reach a pasture. Head towards the bottom right end of the field, but ensure you stay on the public path! To do this, take a left to follow the fence line (which will be on your left). Continue along the edge of the field as it bends right and then left. When the fence line goes right, take a right to walk across the middle of the field. You are now heading towards the right of a picket-fenced area. You’ll see a footpath sign, but don’t cross the field here! Take a right to go downhill, which will lead you away from the house. The hedge should be on your left. When you get to the corner of the field, you will enter a single gate that takes you out of the pasture. Follow the path along the grass track. Just before you get to the road, take a right to reach a signed footpath. Follow it until you merge left to join the road, heading towards a T-junction. Take a left here before a right at the next turn, which is signed for Water End. Admire the Old Mill House on your right!

Continue straight as you meander over the footbridge stretching across River Gade, eventually meeting up with the main road. Cross over the road, making sure that no cars are coming when you do! Follow the path marked as a public footpath on the other side, passing by a pumping station on your right. Right after, the path will fork right to meet up with another footpath that snakes along a fence line. Follow this path as it veers right then left and curves around the meadows and open field. Soon, you’ll reach a stile: cross it (the gate beside it will likely be unlocked, making it easy to navigate) and continue straight, passing by the stunning Gaddesden Hall, steeped in history.

When you reach the meadow’s corner, cross the stile. After the stile, take a right to descend a little slope and then continue straight along the tarmac road, admiring the River Gade as you stroll. Eventually, you’ll reach an intersection with the main road. Take a left to start making your way back to the Red Lion, where pints await.