In the heart of Hertfordshire

Recently we've been doing a lot of cycling around the area where we live, known as Hertfordshire. We have a wonderful map which shows all the possible routes including footpaths, bridalways, country lanes and even elevation.

CW cylcing off down a country lane

Our trips have taken us to a handful of tiny little villages, hamlets and collection of farms such as this one called Childwick Green, which is on the Childwickberry Estate, formerly owned by Stanley Kubrick the director and now by his widow and children. Once the homes of the people who worked on the estate, the cottages are now home to people who fair a bit better (not all one house, three or four in the photo, but nevertheless a wonderful place to live).

As we cycled, we came across this church, Ayot St Lawrence, which is now just in ruins. The church dates back to the 12th century but was left in ruin and then picked apart in the 19th century. Today it has been restored to its former state of picturesque ruins for all to enjoy.


Nearby, we also went past a mysterious gate that looked as though it led to nowhere. Through the bramble and stinging nettle, however, lay a beautiful little forgotten cemetery. The graves dated back to the 1800s, and even some from after the World Wars, but sadly, it has gone uncared for.

Still loads more to explore in this beautiful part of England...