Around Sawbridgeworth

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Walk directions

Turn right from the car park into Bell Street. Go straight across the junction of The Square and Knight Street into Church Street passing the 1652 Church House, clad in painted weatherboarding, to enter Great St Mary’s churchyard. After visiting the church, continue downhill to the south-east corner of the churchyard and into a close of quirky, 1920s brick and flint cottages. Continue on the path, now between garden boundaries, turning right at the public footpath sign towards Sheering Mill Lane.  At the lane turn left to leave the town.

 

Turn right beside Lock Cottage on to the tow path of the River Stort Navigation. Follow the tow path for nearly 2 miles (3.2km), initially on the Hertfordshire bank and then across a footbridge to the Essex bank. You will pass Feakes Lock along this pretty stretch with water-meadows, willows and dragonflies, and also get glimpses of Pishiobury Park.

 

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Location
Additional information
  Terrain  - Canal tow path, field and parkland paths and some streets
  Landscape  - Gentle countryside, parkland and wide, shallow valley
  Dog friendliness  - No problems, but lead advisable on town stretches. On lead in Pishiobury Park when cattle grazing (March–November)
  Parking  - Bell Street car park, Sawbridgeworth
  Toilets en route  - At Bell Street (East) car park
About the walk
Sawbridgeworth is a delightful market town, on a much smaller scale to nearby Bishop’s Stortford. Bell Street is a good example of its well preserved Georgian and timber-framed houses, some re-fronted. In 1222 Sawbridgeworth received its first market charter and two annual fairs were granted in...
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About the area
As Hertfordshire is so close to London, many of its towns have become commuter havens. St Albans, less than 19 miles (30km) from the capital, has retained its distinctive character, along with many historic remains.
Area image

Around Sawbridgeworth

Recommended by
Dog friendly Family friendly
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Canal tow path, field and parkland paths and some streets
  Landscape - Gentle countryside, parkland and wide, shallow valley
  Dog friendliness - No problems, but lead advisable on town stretches. On lead in Pishiobury Park when cattle grazing (March–November)
  Parking - Bell Street car park, Sawbridgeworth
  Toilets en route - At Bell Street (East) car park
About the walk
Sawbridgeworth is a delightful market town, on a much smaller scale to nearby Bishop’s Stortford. Bell Street is a good example of its well preserved Georgian and timber-framed houses, some re-fronted. In 1222 Sawbridgeworth received its first market charter and two annual fairs were granted in...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

About the area
Area image
Hertfordshire
As Hertfordshire is so close to London, many of its towns have become commuter havens. St Albans, less than 19 miles (30km) from the capital, has retained its distinctive character, along with many historic remains.