Brightwell Farm to Moor Park

 Brightwell Farm to Moor Park via Hamper Mill and the golf course. Back by train to Croxley and then Byewaters  08/05/2020

When we were kids we used to play 'over the Scout's field' (named because there was a Scout hut there - obvious really). The field was part of the farm and we could get down to the river (Colne). If feeling a bit more adventurous, we would cross the railway bridge over the river, clamber down the other side and walk along the bank to the pill box. It was great. A wonderful playground and we spent many summers there. Then we grew up and did grown up things. The Scout's field became out of bounds and access to the river got fenced off. The other side of the bridge became overgrown and the pill box got closed up. 

However, on this particularly lovely Spring day, us intrepid walkers were not deterred. It had long been a wish to get back down to that particular part of the river and get close to one of my childhood haunts. We would have to settle for looking at the pill box from across the river, but first we had to get there. 

We walked across the playing field and down the slope of the Ebury Way towards the bridge, but turned off to the left and followed the path that would lead to the Lairage Land, then did a right and followed another path down under the bridge. There had obviously been kids here (even during Lockdown) for there were signs of 'a camp' and graffiti on the walls. 

In front of us was where we wanted to be, but we had to negotiate the fence and a bit of mud first, followed by some wading through long grass, cow parsley and a few brambles and then we were in the field. It had been freshly mown, even so the cut grass was quite deep and we kept to the fence to slowly make our way level with the pill box on the other side. It was strange standing there and looking at it. Obviously the intervening years had had an impact. No longer was this war-time structure standing alone with the stream beside it and the weir over which we used to totter. It was surrounded by trees and we would probably have been hard-pressed to get close on the other side. But it was a small wish achieved and we took photos, watched a mother coot feeding young and then headed round the back of the farm to try and find a way into the next field and so on to Hamper Mill. 

There once used to be a narrow gauge railway that ran from the main Watford to Rickmansworth branch line, across the fields, via a bridge over the river, to the pumping station on the further side. All that is really left is the bridge, though you'd be hard-pushed to get across it and the other side is overgrown. You used to be able to get through underneath - probably a place where the cattle were moved. That too was overgrown, so hoping not to be spotted on our 'right to roam' we ventured a bit further along and found a big enough gap in the fence. Up on the bridge we stopped for a drink and then continued on round the edge of the field, following the course of the river, which was now mainly behind the tree line. We came across a little weir that formed yet another stream heading down towards the mill and a few minutes later stood on the bridge looking at the mill itself. It is so picturesque and the reflections in the water make for wonderful photographs. 'The Clockhouse' was a former wheelhouse to a paper mill in use from about 1776 to 1908 and is Grade II listed. It was water-powered and formerly known as Souche's Mill and dates back to at least the 1500s, though there had been a mill on this site since Domesday I believe.

(Here endeth the history lesson).

Sue had not ventured further than this point, so we decided we would carry on. The path meanders up through a woody bit until you come out into a field that abuts Merchant Taylor's school. There we found some grazing cattle and a view back towards West Watford. The new flats in Epsom Road off Tolpits Lane stood out clearly against an otherwise country aspect. 

A bit further and we were on the golf course. Still being in Lockdown, it was deserted save for one or two dog walkers and we sat on a bench and ate a spot of much needed lunch. The course was evidently still tended, for the bunkers were raked and the fairways cut. Sue had the idea of making a big NHS sign in one of the bunkers. Eventually we eschewed the idea, ha ha. 

I had walked across the golf course before with another friend and was sure I knew the way. I obviously didn't. After some wandering, we came out onto the Moor Park Estate amongst the 'big houses'. Did I mention it was VE Day? Several people were out in the gardens draping Union Flags over their hedges or a bit of bunting or something red white and blue. We kept walking and eventually came across the path I had originally been looking for and we followed it through the trees alongside the Metropolitan railway line until I knew by the pain in my knee that we were going to have to catch a train. Under normal circumstances this would not have posed a problem. But, this was Lockdown. You weren't supposed to use the train unless necessary. Sue convinced me it was necessary because 'I was injured' (more laughs) and otherwise it would have meant walking all the way down to (eventually) Tolpits Lane and then a further walk back home.  We got a train. 

Wearing masks and socially distanced, even though we were the only ones in the carriage, we went to Croxley, where stairs awaited us (groan), and then crossed over the road and walked down the hill to the canal, returning via Byewaters. The swans were there with mum on the nest and a host of geese and fluffy goslings. 

It had been a long walk, but a good one (despite the knee) on another fine Spring day. 

~ oOo ~

Lots of photos, as always, in the gallery