Full Circle at St Paul's Field

Starting points: Route 1 - Meadgate Road, Nazeing, Hertfordshire EN9 2PB. Route 2 - Dobbs Weir car park, Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0AS

A circular route which winds its way around Nazeing lagoons and takes you through the some great waterside habitats. The route can also link to a number of other walking routes connecting Nazeing Airfield, Glen Faba and Dobbs Weir

Route 1 directions

• Parking by Hertford County Yacht Clubalong Meadgate Road and walk back towards Sedge Green (approximately 300m), use the kissing gate to the left to enter the angler’s car park

• Continue through the angler’s car park down the left hand side until you see a kissing gate, go through the gate and onto St Paul’s Field

• Continue along the pathway as it bends to the left heading towards the large pylon (there’s a bench here with views over the lake)

• Follow the path north towards the next pylon (you’ll be able to see it in the distance), the lake will be on the left as you follow this winding path

• When you reach the next pylon follow the path to the right. Here you’ll find:

  • Some wildflower meadows on both sides of the path

  • A bench nearby just along the path if you head east

  • A birdwatching screen on the left - look out in the winter for gulls, diving duck such as Tufted Duck, Coots, Grebes and Cormorants as well as Goosander. Throughout the year you may spot Heron and Egrets that feed around the edge of the lake

• Continue east winding your way until you turn a left hand bend and head north following the path until you reach a bridge over the stream by the southern end of the glass houses

• Cross the bridge and continue with the lake on your left and glasshouses on your right

• At the top of the glass houses the path turns ninety degrees and heads west parallel with the road.

• After approximately 100m you’ll come out onto the path alongside of the road

• Walk along this pathway and after approximately 50m of crossing the bridge over the sluice, you’ll see a footpath to the left – take this pathway which takes you along the western shore of the lake

• Follow this path for approximately 600m with the lake on your left and the back of the houses on your right

• You’ll meet the tow path, turn left (heading south) and walk for approximately 500m where you’ll get to the junction with Meadgate Road

• Turn left along Meadgate Road, walking along the southern edge of the lake back to the Hertford County Yacht Club

Route 2 - from Dobbs Weir car park

• Leave the car park on to Dobbs Weir Roadand turn right, heading east along the public footpath

• After approximately 600m you’ll come to the bridge over the sluice with the main Nazeing Lagoon on your right

• Proceed across thebridge and enter the footpath at the end of the pedestrian railings

• Follow the path to the large glasshouse and then continue with the lake on your right and glasshouse on the left

• Cross the small wooden footbridge at the end of the glasshouse and proceed through scrub habitat along the gently winding path

• Continue keeping the lake on your right side and scrub habitat and the stock fence on the left – there’s benches here if you need a rest

  • On the right there’s a birdwatching screen - look out in the winter for gulls, diving duck such as Tufted Duck, Coots, Grebes and Cormorants as well as Goosander. Throughout the year you may spot Heron and Egrets that feed around the edge of the lake

• Continue on the path towards the pylon

• When you get to the pylon the path turns left, follow the gently winding path keeping the lake on your right towards a second pylon to the south (there’s a bench here with views over the lake

• At the pylon continue along the path travelling east with the smaller lake still on your right

• Follow the path, bearing right and exit through thekissing gate into the angler’s car park - keep over to the right and head towards Meadgate Road through the car park

• Proceed to the end of the car park and out of the kissing gate onto Meadgate Road turn right towards Hertford County Yacht Club

• Follow Meadgate Road over the sluice between the two lagoons until you reach the tow path

• Follow the tow path past the lock until you reach Dobbs Weir Road and the car park