West Harefield to Moor Park: 4.75 miles (7.6 km)
Trail landmarks:
Summerhouse Lane and Park Wood - rejoining once again the Hillingdon trail, Summerhouse lane takes the steep path uphill out of the Colne Valley and into open fields. A secure path pleasantly surrounded by ancient woodland, allotments and horse fields and onto which backs Harefield Hospital, finally emerges into a short lane and the gateway to the open countryside.
Fieldways Farm, Rickmansworth - the grassy path now follows idyllic hedgerows alongside broad corn fields, adjoined by stiles and kept in company by both cattle and birdsong. Crossing into Hertfordshire, the path carries straight through Fieldways Farm passing large paddocks, the signage describing the home of Police Horse training but apparently a further home to Steve Dent Stunts, suppliers of horses and tackle to the TV and Film industry. Emerging from the path alonside the paddock, The Rose and Crown awaits for either a welcome restorative or lunch.
Bishop's Wood - a short hop across a corn meadow with The Nine of Hearts Golf Club in the distance, a welcoming post draws the path into Bishops Wood. A delightful stroll on a narrow path amongst what once was a largely conifer laidened wood, the result of replanting in the 1960's to reinvigorate an otherwise uncelubrious woodland, but now replanted with more native species and a new home to hosts of native butterflies. The path eventually twist and turns but however on this visit, fallen branches meant the path was lost briefly, nevertheless an attractive and welcome cool respite on this hot day.
Batchworth Heath and Norwood - Bishop's Wood lines the southern edge of Batchworth Heath and leaving the wood, the Ye Olde Greene Manne pub awaits. Skirting the flint-walled Prince of Wales Pub and crossing the A404, a second coal-tax post resides, reminding once again of the proximity to the Greater London Boundary. Now entering the refined neighbourhood of Norwood, the path now follows Kewferry road, No. 55 being the notable location of the 1970's sitcom 'The Good Life'. A short private road with very fine homes brings the route out to cross the Metropolitan line from which at Moor Park station, a 15 min walk away, provides a suitable transit onwards.
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