A Royal Reserve

Starting point: Rye House Gatehouse car park, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire E11 0EH

A circular route through town and country discovering the history and wildlife of the north of the Lee Valley Regional Park. The route heads east passing the RSPB Rye Meads Nature Reserve before turning north under the A414. It then turns east into Stanstead Innings, joins the main road through Stanstead Abbotts before returning south along the towpath.

Directions

• Turn left out of the car park proceeding along the pavement passing the RSPB Rye Meads Nature Reserve

• Continue around the toll barriers at Rye Meads Sewage Works and proceed along the road, turning left through a walk-around gate, signposted Stansted Abbotts

• Continue along the pathway, heading north towards the A414

• Turn right along the grass path keeping the road on your left

• At the end of the pathway, proceed through the underpass and follow the bridleway, signposted Stanstead Abbotts

• Pass Rye Gate Farm and continue, turning left through the kissing gate signposted Abbotts Pit Bird Hide. The hide is located on the left

• From the kissing gate, turn right and continue along the grass path between the greenhouses and lake

• Proceed across the field and through the angler’s car park

• Continue along the grass path, passing the wooded areas on the left towards the wildflower meado

• Proceed diagonally across the meadow, turning right at the hedge line, keeping the lake on the left

• Continue around the metal gate and proceed on the gravel road passing Hertford County Yacht Club on the left

• Turn right along the road and continue around the gates

• Follow the road, bearing right and exit through the second set of gates onto Marsh Lane

• Proceed to the end of Marsh Lane and turn left onto Roydon Road, towards Stanstead Abbotts.

• Continue along the pavement towards the town centre, passing the French and Jupps Malting works

• At the mini round-about, with the Red Lion Public House opposite, turn left and proceed down the left hand side of Stanstead Abbotts High Street towards the River Lee Navigation

• Cross the bridge over the River Lee Navigation, turning left onto the cobble ramp down onto the towpath

• Passing the Jolly Fisherman Public House on the right, continue south on the towpath passing under the A414, heading back towards Rye House Gatehouse

• At the next bridge, leave the towpath and proceed up and over the River Lee Navigation.

• Follow the pathway to the left and continue across the wooden bridge over the moat returning to

• Rye House Gatehouse and car park