Sarrat Walks 12
The "Clarendon", Chandlers Cross
This is the only walk in this collection which is not strictly in Sarratt, but rather in its near neighbours Chandlers Cross. It is still a circular walk, although quite short, just 2.5 miles starting and ending at the car park in Rousebarn Lane (about 800yds from the "Clarendon" - formerly a public house but now a rather swish restaurant and bar)
This is a very simple walk which basically is a square going through Merlins Wood down past Oak Farm and around through Harrocks Wood then back up Rousebarn Lane to the car park.
It's a gentle, relatively flat walk that meanders through the lovely woods and is suitable for families although some of the paths around Oak Farm are pretty narrow (and there's no way round them) so buggies might be a problem and do remember any accompanying dogs must be kept under control at all times
This walk took me about an 1hr on an overcast day in mid August 2012.
A map of the walk is attached HERE
This is a very simple walk which basically is a square going through Merlins Wood down past Oak Farm and around through Harrocks Wood then back up Rousebarn Lane to the car park.
It's a gentle, relatively flat walk that meanders through the lovely woods and is suitable for families although some of the paths around Oak Farm are pretty narrow (and there's no way round them) so buggies might be a problem and do remember any accompanying dogs must be kept under control at all times
This walk took me about an 1hr on an overcast day in mid August 2012.
A map of the walk is attached HERE
Entrance to Rousebarn Lane
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Rousebarn Lane is a narrow "No Through Road" at the junction of Chandlers Lane, Redhall Lane and Fir Tree Hill with the "Clarendon" nearby, which just leads up to the car park in the woods where the walk starts.
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Merlins Wood
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Park in the car park on the left at the very top of Rousebarn Lane.
There are lovely woods all around but Merlins Wood is on the other side of Rousebarn Lane to the car park. So cross the road, enter Merlins Wood and then veer left for about 500yds along a lovely broad path. Another path will join from your left here (there's a second car park here for visitors from Croxley Green) and you need to turn right and go forward over a stile and turn right again and then forward along an ever narrowing path (pictures below) through the bushes and trees until you reach a kissing gate where you turn right. |
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Track leading to Oak Farm
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This path takes you past some farm buildings on your right and you continue forward to a "T" junction.
Directly ahead is an imposing Queen Anne building which is now part of York House school. At this "T" junction turn right. |
Oak Farm
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Continue forward past Oak Farm on your left with its beautiful farmhouse and traditional red letter box - don't know if it's officially in use though, or just an ornament.
Continue forward to the kissing gate. |
Footpath from Oak Farm leading into Harrocks Wood
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Proceed forward through this kissing gate and along the narrow path, through a second kissing gate and into Harrocks Wood.
Upon entering the wood the main path continues forward but you need to turn right almost immediately and then effectively go in a big circle around the complete wood before returning to this main track just a couple of hundred yards further on. |
Part of Harrocks Wood
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Follow this right hand track to Rousebarn Lane opposite Blacketts Nursery (which is no longer a nursery but a private dwelling).
However just before the gate (shown in the picture) you need to turn left and follow the path back round, passing the old bench shown in the picture below, in a big arc before returning to the main path where you turn sharp right and go forward through to the paths emergence on Red Hall Lane See pictures below |
Old bench in Harrocks Wood
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Footpath leading down to Redhall Lane
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Rousebarn Lane with the old Blacketts Nursery on the left
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You should emerge in Red Hall Lane, opposite the "Clarendon" - do watch out for the traffic, this is a busy road with fast moving traffic, is quite narrow and no pavement. In Red Hall Lane you need to turn right then right again into Rousebarn Lane. Proceed up Rousebarn Lane going past Blacketts Nursery sign on your left - the nursery has long since gone and it is now a private dwelling.
Note the "Heritage Verge" signs along the road due to its wealth of native wild flowers and the sign on the gate (opp. Blacketts Nursery) telling you are entering Harrocks Wood - incidentally this is the gate you reached before turning back on yourself when walking through the wood. Continue forward to the car park on your left. |
Heritage Verge awarded for its wild flowers
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Rousebarn Lane entry into Harrocks Wood
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I hope you enjoyed your walk, and that the weather was kind.
If you found any errors, spelling or otherwise, or difficulty with my directions then do please let me know, I'm always looking to improve my information and suggestions are also always welcome.
If you found any errors, spelling or otherwise, or difficulty with my directions then do please let me know, I'm always looking to improve my information and suggestions are also always welcome.
