Hertfordshire Walks
Tucked away in the rolling countryside of north Hertfordshire, the pretty village of Barley makes a wonderful base for a day out on foot.
These walks head out into the peaceful open fields to the south of the village, with wide-reaching views, quiet country lanes and a gentle sense of space that feels a world away from the busier towns nearby.
The routes also take you through the attractive grounds of Newsells Park and back into Barley itself, where you’ll find its charming church and the welcoming Chequers pub at the end of your adventure.
The longer option stretches further into the countryside to visit nearby Barkway and a section of the Hertfordshire Way, making these walks a lovely choice whether you’re after a steady ramble or a more energetic day out.
Download the Hertfordshire Walks App to follow these routes with real-time GPS navigation.
Walk information
This first route is a long countryside adventure for those of you that want to stretch your legs and explore the peaceful countryside around Barley.
You will visit the church and pub in the pretty village of Barley as well as enjoying a ramble out into the sweeping open countryside to the south of the village and then back through the pretty Newsells Park.
Based on 8 user ratings
An outstanding walk
Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Hertfordshire Walks app.
First-hand experiences
Best yet. Outstanding. Beautiful views. Varied. Lovely paths. 10/10!
Love these walks but sometimes the start point is difficult to find as it doesnt work in google maps - street names would be useful !
Great walk with lots of variety. Very muddy in places but quite a lot of surfaced paths too. One field of very well behaved horses who paid no attention to me and my dog. Two steep stiles.
Great walk, and very clearly marked. One small amendment towards the end, but was marked with way markers and not difficult to navigate.
A great walk, through mainly fields with some wooded areas. Two great pubs at the end of the walk. 90% of walk suitable for off lead walking with dog, juat a couple of sections of country roads. Spotted several herds of deer.
Love this app and this is one of the best walks I have done. Nice paths. Tiny bit on road. Horses in one field early on. Two quite steep slippery stiles. Two pubs in Barley but not open at ten am! Lost my red framed prescription sunglasses so if anyone finds them put a messsge on here or facebook please. Thanks.
Walk information
This second walk is basically an extension of the first walk which is great if you have a bit more time and energy for your adventure.
It still enjoys the countryside, woodland and Newsells Park, but it also extends further south offering you a visit to the village of Barkway with it's pretty church and also a walk along a stretch of the Hertfordshire Way.
Based on 4 user ratings
An outstanding walk
Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Hertfordshire Walks app.
First-hand experiences
Part of bridle path near Barkway is closed for a few months for house building but carry on down road and pick up path to rejoin the route about 100m along. There are quite a few horses in fields you cross. We ate Sunday lunch at the Fox and Hounds in Barley and it was fantastic (and I am very picky!). Overall a beautiful summer’s walk.
Really enjoyed this walk on a sunny November day. Easy to follow the map bar at one point where the map leads you over a muddy ploughed field; This part of the route needs redefining in the app- I had moon boots of caked mud afterwards! May I suggest that a visit to the Tally Ho pub (a short detour in Barkway) is a most pleasant break
Glorious walk on a cold frosty morning. Could have been extremely muddy if it hadnt been quite ftozen! Two steep stiles. Had to hug the edge of one field instead of following the app. But it was easy to pick up the route again.
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