Sheffield to Stansted Airport

(Train assisted to St Albans)

Preamble

(Map is unfinished)

I think this route is useful because there is no direct train service between Sheffield and Stansted Airport, and not likely to be. Plus, it’s a nice way to see some of the more pleasant parts of the South East, and might get you in the mood for your cycling holiday.

We’re finding cheaper train tickets via Doncaster to Stevenage and you could either make your way from there to Stansted (route under development) or take a local train to Hatfield and pick up this route there. However, it’s hard to get fully laden bikes on LNER’s new “Azuma” trains.

The Route

Take the train to St Albans – this will involve a change of train or two.  Turn right out of the exit and cross the bridge on Victoria St, then first left left on Ridgmont Rd then left on Grosvenor Rd through the office park. Cross London Rd (there is a signal controlled crossing to your right) and take to the cycle path adjacent to Orient Close. On the bottom on the left you will find the entrance to the Alban Way (if in doubt ask a local) This is a good quality railway path, part of the National Cycle Network,  NCN61. Continue eastwards for approximately 10 miles, following the signs to pass through Hatfield. The Galleria has a coffee shop.

At the far side of Hatfield, having crossed the railway, look for on the right signs to Mill Green and Museum, and follow the cycle route which runs parallel to the A414, this will take you up to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital (QE2) where there is a short stretch on quite busy roads. Past the hospital, and right at the next roundabout, you will come to the junction with the B195, where there is access to the scenic off-road route which will take you under the A414 and on to Cole Green and Hertford. (If you have plenty of time you could follow NCN61 but it goes round the houses a bit. )

If you prefer tarmac turn right, over the roundabout with care then left on to the Old Carriage Road to Hertford. Head for Hertford town centre, and following the signs find the River Lea cyclepath (NCN) which starts near the McMullens brewery. Follow this through to Ware. At Ware, leave the river to the left and take the A1170 to head of town. Just by Hertford & Ware Combine’s Athletic Club there is a lane, becoming Poles Lane  which takes you round by a gentler circuitous route up the hill and out of town – if you miss it don’t worry because you can just continue on the A1170 until you get to Cold Christmas Lane. Either way, go to Cold Christmas and continue through to Much Hadham.  Now a very prosperous commuter village, it used to be a bit more rough and ready and is notable for Fairport Convention  living there in the 1970’s until a lorry went into their house and practically demolished it.  Crossing the B1004, take Maltings Lane,  through the ford and up Stansted Hill and l. Danebridge Lane, coming out on r. B1004 again. Follow B1004/A1250 through Bishops Stortford, (don’t take the A120 bypass which is a long way round)

Continue on the A1250. As of March 2018 there is a cycle route under construction between Bishops Stortford and Stansted Airport.  Take the A1250 to the first roundabout at the M11 junction,  negotiate this with great care and take the 2nd  exit for Birchanger Lane.  NCN16 heads off to the right about half a mile along. You can also use this to access Fitch Way, a disused railway route that goes to Dunmow and Braintree.

Alternatively you can leap on the local train at B. Stortford or Stansted Mountfitchet to the Airport.

Approx distance: 35 miles Approx pedalling time: 4 hours

Sidetrips

(1) If you have time to spare St Albans, the Roman town of Verulanium, is an interesting place with Roman ruins, an Abbey and lots of interesting pubs (it’s the headquarters of CAMRA)

(2) The River Lea towpath continues, and is cycleable, all the way into East London (the setting for the introduction to Conrad’s Heart of Darkness ) On the way you pass the Lea Valley linear park , which is rich in bird life, and at Tottenham Hale you can switch to the London Cycle Network towards Dalston and the city.

At the weekend the section between Broxbourne (my home town) and Cheshunt can be very busy, however.  NCN1 leaves the river at Nazeing and takes to higher ground, giving you splendid views over the Lea Valley before dropping you down at Waltham Abbey where you pass through the bird reserves of the Lea Valley Country Park – all very pleasant. There is also a higher speed off-road cycle route running parallel on Meridian Way, between Waltham Cross and Tottenham. The River Lea is connected to the Hertford Union canal at Hackney which will take you to within half-a mile of St Pancras for your train back up north (or indeed to Paris, Brussels, Kent or Gatwick Airport and Brighton) but you will have to take to the roads around Islington (there is a signed route) because of the tunnel (Unless you can hitch a ride on a narrow boat). The towpath has got very busy because there has been a lot of now development alongside and some sections now have a cyclist’sby pass.

The River Stort towpath, meanwhile, which has only partially been treated for cycling (between Harlow Town and Harlow Mill) will take you from the Lea at Rye Park to Bishops Stortford via Harlow and is a pleasant but longer and slower ride. You’ll have to carry your bike over stiles though. NCN1 can be picked up at Nazeing Mead.

(3) There is a rich network of lanes and byways in the countryside between Ware and Bishops Stortford. If you wish to explore these, however, take the appropriate Ordnance Survey map or your GPS, as Hertfordshire County Council have sensibly re-signed them to make it more difficult for drivers to use them as short cuts.