Take a break in the great outdoors

Aberford Park, Leeming Park, Brook Meadow, Haggerston Park, Aycliffe

Park and Thirskcliffe Nature Park are all owned and managed by Hertsmere

Borough Council. For further information contact the parks and

amenities team:

www.hertsmere.gov.uk/parksTel: 0800 731 1810 (freephone)

Email: parks@hertsmere.gov.uk

The Countryside Management Service (CMS) works with communities in Hertfordshire to help them care for

and enjoy the environment. For more information contact CMS at:

www.hertslink.org/cms Tel: 01992 588433

By Road: The walk is located in north Borehamwood, which is just off the A1 or A41. Aberford Park car park is off Aberford Road or there is a public car park in Brook Road.

By Public Transport:You can join the walk route at Aberford Park in Brook Road, a 15 minute walk from Elstree and Borehamwood Station. There are bus stops along the route.

For travel details visit www.intalink.org.uk or contact Traveline on 0300 123 4050 (open 8am - 8pm).

Countr sideDOORSTEP

on your

“Enjoyment for all the family - it’s right on your doorstep”

Launched in 2015

Tykes Water & Beyond explores the greenspaces along the Tykes Water Brook through Borehamwood, gets out into the wide open countryside and provides sweeping views across the town and out to Elstree.

Why Walk? Walking is arguably the best exercise and a good way for you to get the 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week recommended by health professionals to maintain wellbeing.

Other Local Walks This walk is one of a series of Countryside on Your Doorstep walks in Borehamwood and Elstree. Download these and other walks from www.hertslink.org/cms/

Hertfordshire Health Walks is a countywide initiative, providing free, led walks, helping everyone get outdoors, get more

active and reap the benefits. There are regular health walks in Borehamwood and surrounding areas of various lengths from gentle 20 minute strolls to 90 minute walks. Pick up a copy of the programme in your local library, GP surgery or download it from www.hertfordshirehealthwalks.org

How to get there:You can start the walk from anywhere along its route. See walk map for linking roads.

Tykes Water & Beyond

Points of interest on the walk A - Aberford Park is managed for the benefit of

the park users, including the wildlife. In addition to traditional play equipment there is also the ‘extreme’ sports area, skate park and a sensory play area behind the café with a nest swing, bridge, tunnel and a maze.

A meadow provides a haven for insects in the summer, a great place to catch crickets and spot butterflies. In spring and summer you can find tadpoles and damselflies in the wildlife pond. Formed by the local community, the Friends of the Four Parks arrange walks led by a local naturalist, and the park is the scene of other events sponsored by Hertsmere Borough Council, such as an Easter egg hunt.

Aberford Park has been a popular location for filming the TV soap opera, EastEnders. The BBC Elstree Studios are just south of Aberford Park. The first of many film studios were built in the town in 1914. In addition to TV productions, major movies have been made in Elstree Studios including the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Some of the roads in Elstree & Borehamwood are named after film stars.

B - As you walk to the north of Aberford Park you will see St Michael’s and All Angels Church. This impressive building was completed in 1955 and opened by Princess Margaret. The most striking feature of the building is the stained-glass window over the altar, with its angel faces and brightly coloured wings.

C - Tykes Water Brook, also known as the Borehamwood Brook, flows through Borehamwood creating a green corridor for cycling and walking. It links four parks together, Aberford, Leeming, Brook Meadow and Haggerstone Parks. The Brook culminates in a line of attractive lakes in Aberford Park. The brook and lakes form part of a flood relief system for the town and provides a home for many varieties of water fowl and wildlife. You can see herons fishing, swans nesting and may be lucky enough to see the blue flash of a kingfisher disappearing into a thicket.

Hidden within Borehamwood are greenspaces full of wildlife; this walk explores some of these. This is a very pleasant level walk, along a scenic green way following a brook called Tykes Water through Aberford, Leeming, Brook Meadow and Haggerstone Parks. The walk then branches out into the open countryside before looping back through Thirskcliffe Nature Park and Aycliffe Park. Pause to take in the views at the top of Thirskcliffe Nature Park and notice the surprising variety of water birds to be found at Aberford Park.

D - Thirskcliffe Nature Park contains a mosaic of rough grassland, woodland and scrub. It is a great place for urban wildlife with plenty of seeds and berries on offer for hungry birds such as robins, goldfinches and dunnocks. You enter the nature reserve at the top of a hill offering a lovely view across the town and out into the countryside beyond.

E - Aycliffe Park is known locally as Three Fields and is a popular playing field for football. Take the opportunity to use the outdoor fitness equipment. The grass is left long where possible to provide refuge for insects and small mammals. These important areas alongside hedges provide corridors for wildlife to be able to move between island-like habitats.

Wild garlic Photo: Chris Newman

“Explore the great outdoors - it’s right on your doorstep”

Thanks to Elstree & Borehamwood Museum Thanks to Chris Newman for providing some of the images

© Countryside Management Service, 2015

Take a break in the great outdoors

Aberford Park, Leeming Park, Brook Meadow, Haggerston Park, Aycliffe

Park and Thirskcliffe Nature Park are all owned and managed by Hertsmere

Borough Council. For further information contact the parks and

amenities team:

www.hertsmere.gov.uk/parksTel: 0800 731 1810 (freephone)

Email: parks@hertsmere.gov.uk

The Countryside Management Service (CMS) works with communities in Hertfordshire to help them care for

and enjoy the environment. For more information contact CMS at:

www.hertslink.org/cms Tel: 01992 588433

By Road: The walk is located in north Borehamwood, which is just off the A1 or A41. Aberford Park car park is off Aberford Road or there is a public car park in Brook Road.

By Public Transport:You can join the walk route at Aberford Park in Brook Road, a 15 minute walk from Elstree and Borehamwood Station. There are bus stops along the route.

For travel details visit www.intalink.org.uk or contact Traveline on 0300 123 4050 (open 8am - 8pm).

Countr sideDOORSTEP

on your

“Enjoyment for all the family - it’s right on your doorstep”

Launched in 2015

Tykes Water & Beyond explores the greenspaces along the Tykes Water Brook through Borehamwood, gets out into the wide open countryside and provides sweeping views across the town and out to Elstree.

Why Walk? Walking is arguably the best exercise and a good way for you to get the 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week recommended by health professionals to maintain wellbeing.

Other Local Walks This walk is one of a series of Countryside on Your Doorstep walks in Borehamwood and Elstree. Download these and other walks from www.hertslink.org/cms/

Hertfordshire Health Walks is a countywide initiative, providing free, led walks, helping everyone get outdoors, get more

active and reap the benefits. There are regular health walks in Borehamwood and surrounding areas of various lengths from gentle 20 minute strolls to 90 minute walks. Pick up a copy of the programme in your local library, GP surgery or download it from www.hertfordshirehealthwalks.org

How to get there:You can start the walk from anywhere along its route. See walk map for linking roads.

Tykes Water & Beyond

Points of interest on the walk A - Aberford Park is managed for the benefit of

the park users, including the wildlife. In addition to traditional play equipment there is also the ‘extreme’ sports area, skate park and a sensory play area behind the café with a nest swing, bridge, tunnel and a maze.

A meadow provides a haven for insects in the summer, a great place to catch crickets and spot butterflies. In spring and summer you can find tadpoles and damselflies in the wildlife pond. Formed by the local community, the Friends of the Four Parks arrange walks led by a local naturalist, and the park is the scene of other events sponsored by Hertsmere Borough Council, such as an Easter egg hunt.

Aberford Park has been a popular location for filming the TV soap opera, EastEnders. The BBC Elstree Studios are just south of Aberford Park. The first of many film studios were built in the town in 1914. In addition to TV productions, major movies have been made in Elstree Studios including the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Some of the roads in Elstree & Borehamwood are named after film stars.

B - As you walk to the north of Aberford Park you will see St Michael’s and All Angels Church. This impressive building was completed in 1955 and opened by Princess Margaret. The most striking feature of the building is the stained-glass window over the altar, with its angel faces and brightly coloured wings.

C - Tykes Water Brook, also known as the Borehamwood Brook, flows through Borehamwood creating a green corridor for cycling and walking. It links four parks together, Aberford, Leeming, Brook Meadow and Haggerstone Parks. The Brook culminates in a line of attractive lakes in Aberford Park. The brook and lakes form part of a flood relief system for the town and provides a home for many varieties of water fowl and wildlife. You can see herons fishing, swans nesting and may be lucky enough to see the blue flash of a kingfisher disappearing into a thicket.

Hidden within Borehamwood are greenspaces full of wildlife; this walk explores some of these. This is a very pleasant level walk, along a scenic green way following a brook called Tykes Water through Aberford, Leeming, Brook Meadow and Haggerstone Parks. The walk then branches out into the open countryside before looping back through Thirskcliffe Nature Park and Aycliffe Park. Pause to take in the views at the top of Thirskcliffe Nature Park and notice the surprising variety of water birds to be found at Aberford Park.

D - Thirskcliffe Nature Park contains a mosaic of rough grassland, woodland and scrub. It is a great place for urban wildlife with plenty of seeds and berries on offer for hungry birds such as robins, goldfinches and dunnocks. You enter the nature reserve at the top of a hill offering a lovely view across the town and out into the countryside beyond.

E - Aycliffe Park is known locally as Three Fields and is a popular playing field for football. Take the opportunity to use the outdoor fitness equipment. The grass is left long where possible to provide refuge for insects and small mammals. These important areas alongside hedges provide corridors for wildlife to be able to move between island-like habitats.

Wild garlic Photo: Chris Newman

“Explore the great outdoors - it’s right on your doorstep”

Thanks to Elstree & Borehamwood Museum Thanks to Chris Newman for providing some of the images

© Countryside Management Service, 2015

CROWN ROADCROWN ROAD

CLIFTON WAYCLIFTON WAY

BELFO

RD

RO

AD

BELFO

RD

RO

AD

STAN

BO

RO

UG

H A

VE.

STAN

BO

RO

UG

H A

VE.

GR

EEN STR

EET B5378

GR

EEN STR

EET B5378C

OW

LEY H

ILLC

OW

LEY H

ILL

ALLERTON ROADALLERTON ROAD

MORPETH ROADMORPETH ROAD

HA

GG

ERSTO

N R

OA

DH

AG

GER

STON

RO

AD

ALLER

TON

RO

AD

ALLER

TON

RO

AD

STRETTO

N W

AY

STRETTO

N W

AY

AYCLIFFE ROADAYCLIFFE ROAD

LEEMIN

G R

OA

DLEEM

ING

RO

AD

BROO

K RO

AD

BROO

K RO

AD

GROVE ROAD

GROVE ROAD

GATESHEAD ROADGATESHEAD ROAD

TYKES WATER BRO

OK

TYKES WATER BRO

OK

AYCLIFFE ROA

D

AYCLIFFE ROA

D

WO

OLM

ER

CL.

WO

OLM

ER

CL.

WALS

HFORD W

AY

WALS

HFORD W

AY

THIR

SK RD

.TH

IRSK

RD.

STAPLETON RD

CO

WLEY

HILL B

5378

CO

WLEY

HILL B

5378

ABERFO

RD RD

ABERFO

RD RD

SILVER

HILL

BERWICK ROADBERWICK ROAD

AYCLIFFE PARK

THIRSKCLIFFE NATURE PARK

HAGGERSTONPARK

BROOKMEADOW

ABERFORD PARK

LEEMING PARK

Permissive B

ridlew

ay

Loop 1

Loop 2Loop 3

(

(

“Take a healthy break in the natural world - it’s right on your doorstep”

Key Route of Tykes Water & Beyond Walk

Short cut

Public Right of Way

Refreshments

Play Area

Take care crossing (

COMPOSERSPARK

Sailing Club

ALDENHAMRESERVOIR

SportsGround

Cemetery

Household Waste Recycling Centre

War Memorial

BARNET LANE

BARNET LANE

ELST

REE

HIL

L N

OR

TH

ELST

REE

HIL

L SO

UTH

ELST

REE

HIL

L SO

UTH

A51

83

COA

TES

ROA

D

RODGERS CL.

RODGERS CL.

DELIUS CL.

SCHUBERT RD.

SCHUBERT RD.

RO

MELAND

SULL

IVAN WAY

BEETHOVEN ROAD

ALD

ENH

AM

ROA

D

ALD

ENH

AM

ROA

D

ALLUM LANE B5378

ST NICHOLAS CL.

SUM

MER

GRO

VE

FORT

UNE CL

.

FORT

UNE CL

.The Fishery

To M25 and A41

To AldenhamCountry Park

NEW ROADNEW ROAD

A411A411

WATFORD ROADWATFORD ROAD

(

(Loop 3

Loop 2

Loop 1

COMPOSERSPARK

Sailing Club

ALDENHAMRESERVOIR

SportsGround

Cemetery

Household Waste Recycling Centre

War Memorial

BARNET LANE

BARNET LANE

ELST

REE

HIL

L N

OR

TH

ELST

REE

HIL

L SO

UTH

ELST

REE

HIL

L SO

UTH

A51

83

COA

TES

ROA

D

RODGERS CL.

RODGERS CL.

DELIUS CL.

SCHUBERT RD.

SCHUBERT RD.

RO

MELAND

SULL

IVAN WAY

BEETHOVEN ROAD

ALD

ENH

AM

ROA

D

ALD

ENH

AM

ROA

D

ALLUM LANE B5378

ST NICHOLAS CL.

SUM

MER

GRO

VE

FORT

UNE CL

.

FORT

UNE CL

.The Fishery

To M25 and A41

To AldenhamCountry Park

NEW ROADNEW ROAD

A411A411

WATFORD ROADWATFORD ROAD

(

(Loop 3

Loop 2

Loop 1

((

NContains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2015

How much time do you have?

15 minutes - Loop 1, Aberford Park only (0.6 mile / 1km)

60 minutes - Loop 2 (2 miles / 3km) or Loop 3 (2 miles / 3km)

75 minutes - Loop 1 & 2 (2.5 miles / 4km)

120 minutes - Loop 1, 2 & 3 (4 miles / 6.6km)

Goldf inch

Grey Heron

C E

D

A

B

COMPOSERSPARK

Sailing Club

ALDENHAMRESERVOIR

SportsGround

Cemetery

Household Waste Recycling Centre

War Memorial

BARNET LANE

BARNET LANE

ELST

REE

HIL

L N

OR

TH

ELST

REE

HIL

L SO

UTH

ELST

REE

HIL

L SO

UTH

A51

83

COA

TES

ROA

D

RODGERS CL.

RODGERS CL.

DELIUS CL.

SCHUBERT RD.

SCHUBERT RD.

RO

MELAND

SULL

IVAN WAY

BEETHOVEN ROAD

ALD

ENH

AM

ROA

D

ALD

ENH

AM

ROA

D

ALLUM LANE B5378

ST NICHOLAS CL.

SUM

MER

GRO

VE

FORT

UNE CL

.

FORT

UNE CL

.The Fishery

To M25 and A41

To AldenhamCountry Park

NEW ROADNEW ROAD

A411A411

WATFORD ROADWATFORD ROAD

(

(Loop 3

Loop 2

Loop 1

Waymarks Tykes Water & Beyond Waymark Follow these waymarks on your walk in a clockwise direction.

Composers Park & Beyond Waymark Short cut Follow these waymarks to shorten your walk.

Yellow arrow : Footpath (walkers only).

Blue arrow : Bridleway (walkers, horse riders and cyclists).

Plum arrow : Restricted Byway (walkers, horse riders, cyclists and horsedrawn vehicles only. No motor vehicles).