The Gordon Shelford Trail
In February 2019 we started a new long distance Trail of walks called the Gordon Shelford Trail. Clearly Gordon Shelford himself needs no introduction, but here are some details about the trail.
The trail had seven legs, ranging from 6.5 miles to 11.5 miles in length. Walks were all on a Friday. We started in February, with the subsequent walks being in March, April, then 2 walks in May, followed by a short break, and the final 2 walks were in August and September. The trail was designed to avoid the need to use country buses, and each leg started and finished at a railway station.
Chris C and Phil took it in turns to lead each walk.
We started out in the outer suburbs of North London. and crossed over the M25 and the Lee Valley and into Essex. From there we progressed northwards crisscrossing the Hertfordshire and Essex border, and followed bits of the Harcamlow Way trail and the Hertfordshire Way trail. We passed through the attractive town of Saffron Walden, and finally crossed over into Cambridgeshire, where we paralleled the river Granta. The route passes through mostly open rolling country, with little woodland and big open skies.
The route opened up new territory for our walking group, and contained many features of historic and landscape interest.
| Date | Description | Travel Arrangements | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22/02/2019 |
Gordon Shelford 1: Gordon Hill to Cheshunt. The first walk in a trail that will take us through Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire. This walk is via Clay Hill, Whitewebbs Wood, the historic Theobalds Park and the Lee valley. All travel within Freedom Pass area. pub/picnic. Toilets in Morden Civic Centre. Phil |
Meet at Morden Tube Station at 10:10. Walk started at Gordon Hill station at 11:46. For those without FP please buy return to Cheshunt. | 6.5 miles |
| 22/03/2019 |
Gordon Shelford 2: Cheshunt to Harlow. The second stage of the Gordon Shelford Trail takes us from Cheshunt along the River Lee navigation then through River Lee Country Park and along a stretch of the National Cycle Network, Route 1, to the pub lunch stop at Nazeing, a total of 6.7 miles. After lunch it is a further 6 miles to Harlow, including a stretch of the Stort Navigation. Possible drop off at Roydon at 3.5 miles after lunch. Brisk pace. Chris C |
Meet at Morden Tube Station at 09:10. Buy (in advance if possible) an off peak day return to Harlow Town. | 12.7 miles |
| 05/04/2019 |
Gordon Shelford 3: Harlow to Bishops Stortford. We start by following the River Stort, then turn north across open rolling countryside to Gilston Park and Perry Green. then east along the Hertfordshire Way to re-join the Stort into Bishops Stortford. Pub/picnic. Phil |
Meet at Morden Tube Station at 09:15. Start time 10:54 at Harlow Town Station. | 11.3 miles |
| 24/05/2019 | Gordon Shelford 4: Bishops Stortford to Elsenham. We head west out of Bishops Stortford, following the Hertfordshire Way. We then turn east along the Harcamlow Way to Manuden and thence to Elsenham via Ugley Green. Pub/picnic. Late lunch so bring snack for mid day.
The walk has been slightly re-routed, in order to reduce the distance. It will now be approx 10.5 miles, and unfortunately we will not be passing the historic Hadham Hall. Latish lunch stop so we may pause for a couple of minutes for a quick pre-lunch snack. Phil |
Meet at Morden Tube Station at 09:00. Start at Bishops Stortford Station at 10:45. | 10.5 miles |
| 31/05/2019 |
Gordon Shelford 5: Elsenham to Newport. Through predominantly open countryside in the west of Essex. 5 miles to lunch at Rickling Green. Pub/picnic. Brisk pace. Chris C |
Meet at Morden at 09:25. Travel from Morden to Tottenham Hale (where there should be time for a coffee) and buy an off peak day return to Newport (Essex). Start at Elsenham Station at 11:20. | 8.5 miles |
| Provisional 08/05/2020 |
Cancelled on 30/08/2019 due to major rail problems - Actually walked on 29/04/2022. Gordon Shelford 6: Newport to Great Chesterford. Following parts of the Harcamlow Way and the Saffron Trail, passing Audley End House and glimpsing the upper reaches of the River Cam. Pub lunch stop in Saffron Walden, attractive old market town. Brisk pace. Chris C |
Meet at Morden Station at 09:30 for Northern & Victoria lines to Tottenham Hale, then 10:40 to Newport. Buy in advance,if possible, OPDR to Great Chesterford. | 10 miles |
| 27/09/2019 |
Gordon Shelford 7: Great Chesterford to Great Shelford. We pass through large-scale agricultural landscape, large fields, few trees and gently rolling country. Passing through the villages of Great Abington and Babraham, and following the valley of the River Granta our trail concludes at Great Shelford. Pub/picnic. Phil |
Meet at Morden Tube at 08:25 for Stockwell, then Tottenham Hale (buy return ticket to Great Shelford). | 10.5 miles |