Pete's Walks - Grand Union Canal 'figure-of-eight' walk (page 2 of 3)
I passed the pond on the green, and left the village by entering some woodland, following a path along the course of Grim's Ditch that crossed a section of Berkhamsted Golf Course. I crossed a couple of minor roads as I continued through the golf course to reach Berkhamsted Common.
Pond at Potten End
Grim's Ditch, crossing part of Berkhamsted Golf Course
The path crossing another part of Berkhamsted Golf Course
Shortly after leaving the golf course, I turned left at a major path junction on Berkhamsted Common. I passed a more open area of bracken and grass, then went downhill through trees again to reach a stile on the edge of the common. The path now followed a hedgerow through large paddocks and pastures, passing Well Farm as it headed towards the playing fields of Berkhamsted School. It was then a short stroll, passing the castle on my left again, to return to the railway bridge by Berkhamsted station.
Path on Berkhamsted Common
Path on Berkhamsted Common
Start of the path from Berkhamsted Common, past Well Farm to Berkhamsted
Approaching the playing fields of Berkhamsted School
Another view of Berkhamsted Castle, as I pass it the second time
Having completed the 'Hemel-Berkhamsted' loop, I turned right and followed the road past the station, rejoining the towpath where the road crossed the canal. I now headed westward, with the canal on my right. I passed through part of Berkhamsted and then the neighbouring Northchurch, where I got two brief glimpses of a Kingfisher. I stopped for lunch on a bench by a lock on the edge of Northchurch, at about 1.10pm.
Near the start of the second stretch of canal, just west of Berkhamsted station
The canal in Berkhamsted
The canal in Northchurch - as I was going round the next curve in the canal I saw a Kingfisher
Bridge and lock gates, Northchurch - I had lunch by this lock
I continued on along the towpath. After about a mile I came to bridge where the towpath switched to the other bank, so that the canal was now on my left. I saw a Grey Heron here, perched on a tall post - I presume it was the same one that flew past me screeching a little later, surprisingly the only one I saw today.
The canal, west of Northchurch
Lock and canal from the bridge where the towpath switches to the opposite bank
The canal approaching Cow Roast