Park Street, Bricket Wood & Chiswell Green

This longer walk, ideal for the more energetic pub-ticker, takes in three of the villages that surround St Albans - Chiswell Green, Park Street and Bricket Wood. The walk begins on the edge of central St Albans and finishes on the North Orbital Road in Bricket Wood, from where there are regular buses back to St Albans.

We start at the King Harry 🅐, a landmark pub with three bar areas and two gardens.

WALK 23 minutes. On leaving the King Harry, head along Watford Road which will take you all the way to the next pub, the Three Hammers 🅑.

Once a coaching inn and forge, the oldest part of the building dates from the 15th-16th century. Oak beams and an ornate bar front feature in the contemporary interior and there is a pleasant garden outside.

WALK 25 minutes. On leaving the pub, cross the road and head down Tippendell Lane. Cross the A414 via the footbridge and continue down Tippendell Lane into the historic village of Park Street. Continue along this road until the very end, passing under a railway bridge and keeping the recreation ground to your right. At the end of the road turn right and a short way along you will find The Overdraught 🅒.

First mentioned in documents of 1689 as White Horse Farm, it is believed that a public house has operated on this site since 1787. It acquired its present name in the early 1990s, and today is a traditional, family-friendly village pub featuring a split level bar with beams, brass and a listed fireplace.

WALK 2 minutes. Turn left out of the Overdraught (noticing the impressive, carved village sign opposite) and walk a short way along Watling Street until you find the Falcon 🅓 on the same side of the road.

The Falcon is a down-to-earth two-bar community pub dating from around the 17th century. Despite the Greene King livery this is now a privately-owned free house usually offering a Hertfordshire beer.

WALK 30 minutes. Turn right out of the pub (noticing the old water mill opposite) and then turn right again into Park Street Lane. Continue back to the railway bridge, then turn left just after it. Continue along this road, passing How Wood railway station on your left, and going over the M25 motorway bridge. Eventually you will reach a junction where you can turn left into Station Road. A short way down here you will find The Gate 🅔.

This friendly community pub features a tiled floor, large fireplace and rustic furniture. The side bar is now a dining area and opens out onto the patio and large garden.

WALK 20 minutes. On leaving the pub, turn left into Station Road and as you pass Drop Lane on your left you will see a footpath on your right. Take this footpath, which crosses the railway line, and follow it until you reach Oak Avenue. Cross this road into South Riding and then at the end cross into Ashridge Drive. At the end of Ashridge Drive, cross into Broad Acre, turn right at the end and you will see the Black Boy 🅕.

The bar area of this excellent real ale pub has original oak beams and a flagstone floor, with two seating areas at either end. Outdoor drinking can be enjoyed in the terraced garden set on three levels.