11 Jan 2025: Bah Humbug Anti-Xmas* Lunch

Event Details

  • Start Date Saturday, 11th of January 2025
  • End Date Saturday, 11th of January 2025
  • Start/End Time 10:30 - 16:30
  • Near Hertford, Hertfordshire
  • Categories
  • Groups
  • Approx Distance 5 Miles
  • TerrainLargely flat with lots of heavy mud.

A circular walk of ~5 miles ending at a gastro-pub for lunch.

The route absorbs pleasant rural landscapes, in nicely prepared countryside, in its bleak, early winter glory. The first third of the walk features some middle-distance views over rolling countryside, being the ripples around the Digswell chasm. A small, posh village punctuates the views of fields. We get up close and personal with “Hamilton Castle”. The latter third of the route walks through extensive woodland, which, at this time of year, offers no cover.

The start time for this walk is earlier than Herts GOC’s normal meeting time, to allow time to complete the walk without racing and to change clothes if necessary.

Expect lots of heavy mud and slippery surfaces. Wear sturdy boots, waterproof and warm clothing. Bring spare clean clothing to wear in the pub.

Bring water to drink.

To book your place at the gastro-pub, please confirm the numbers of seats that you want to book in the comments to this event on/before Sun 05 Jan 2025. The attendance list for this event is solely for the attendance at the walk.

The start point is accessible only by private transport. Public transport will reach as far as a 10 minute car drive from the nearest railway stations. Please ask for a lift in the comments section below, or otherwise take a taxi from the station to the meeting point.

Pub stop at the end of the walk. Details about the pub and its menu are in the members’ only sections below.

For budget purposes, assume that your costs might be:

  • 3-courses with one drink and service charge: GBP 45ph.
  • 2-courses with one drink and service charge: GBP 39ph.

Gastro-pub? Yes. As tested on 30 Nov 2024, the food was fantastic. The tomato and basil soup was the perfect consistency, a rich umami sensation with balanced acidity, offering good rehydration after a 5-mile walk. The bread on the side was two generous slices of focaccia, with salt and herbs on the top crust. The pie of the day was pork and mustard, served on a raft of creamed potato, alongside a pile of seasonal green veg, heavily seasoned. The cappuccino crème brulée was as delectable as its name suggests, complete with foam on top, done in such a way that the brulée of the sugar maintained its crunch and slightly-burnt flavour. The espresso was a powerful punch of richly roasted coffee.

* Anti-Xmas Lunch? Yes. We love Christmas, but we’re not so keen on the total craziness that pubs and restaurants get up to in December. January is so much more civilised.

Full details are available to members only

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