Smallford & Colney Heath

This is a medium-length, semi-rural walk taking in three quite different pubs all serving real ales and excellent food. Please note that the Plough at Sleapshyde is closed for a private function on Friday 17th April.

It starts at the Three Horseshoes 🅐, an 18th century pub, with eight separate drinking areas of varying sizes and on different levels. To get to the starting point from central St Albans, take any bus going in the direction of Hatfield.

WALK 16 minutes. On leaving the Three Horseshoes, turn left and then at the mini roundabout turn left again into Station Road. Walk a few hundred yards, passing the site of Smallford railway station on your right and crossing the bridge, until you reach a footpath on your left crossing a farmer's field. Take this footpath and it will lead you to the next pub, the Plough at Sleapshyde 🅑.

This rustic, timber beamed, cottage style freehouse is run as an independent gastro pub. Its large, beautiful garden, partly covered and heated has great countryside views.

WALK 22 minutes. Turn left out of the pub and then at the end of the road, turn right onto Sleapshyde Lane. Then turn left into Sleapcross Gardens and follow the road until you reach the A414 dual carriageway. Use the pedestrian crossing to get to the other side of the dual carriageway and then turn left into Colney Heath High Street. Follow this road around the bend and carry on until you see the Crooked Billet 🅒 on your left.

The Crooked Billet is a cottage-style village pub dating back over 200 years - a genuine free house stocking three beers from national, regional and micro-breweries. A wide selection of good-value home-made food is also served in this popular stop-off for walkers.