Alban Way
Encyclopedia
The Alban Way is a cycle path in Hertfordshire
, England
that has been constructed along the route of the former Hatfield to St Albans railway line
. It runs from St Albans, close to St Albans Abbey railway station
and the site of Roman Verulamium
, through Fleetville and Smallford to Hatfield, ending close to Hatfield railway station
. It is 7.5 miles (12.1 km) long and there is a graveyard on the track opposite Longacres park. Most graves are covered and few remain intact but they all come from the mental hospital that used to exist in the area.
The route is paved throughout, though rough in places, and has few steep slopes making it a good off-road route for children.
It is part of National Cycle Network
route 61 which runs from the River Thames
at Maidenhead
to the River Lea in Ware. The section from Welwyn Garden City
to Ware is called Cole Green Way
.
In Hatfield the route joins The Great North Way (National Cycle Network route 12) and in St Albans will link to National Cycle Network route 6.
There has been some indication that the railway will be reinstated in the future as an extension to the Abbey Line tram system.
provides a link to the start of the route by Cottonmill Lane. Passengers should alight at Weyman's.
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
that has been constructed along the route of the former Hatfield to St Albans railway line
Hatfield and St Albans Railway
The Hatfield and St Albans Railway was a branch of the Great Northern Railway which connected the Hertfordshire towns of St Albans and Hatfield. It opened in 1865 with the principal aim of allowing St Albans traffic to access the Great Northern's main line to London at , but soon came into...
. It runs from St Albans, close to St Albans Abbey railway station
St Albans Abbey railway station
St Albans Abbey railway station serves the city of St Albans, in Hertfordshire, England, being situated about 1 km south of the city centre in the St Stephen's area of the city. It is the terminus of the Abbey Line from Watford Junction, which is part of the London Midland franchise...
and the site of Roman Verulamium
Verulamium
Verulamium was an ancient town in Roman Britain. It was sited in the southwest of the modern city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, Great Britain. A large portion of the Roman city remains unexcavated, being now park and agricultural land, though much has been built upon...
, through Fleetville and Smallford to Hatfield, ending close to Hatfield railway station
Hatfield railway station
Hatfield railway station serves the town of Hatfield in Hertfordshire, England. The station is managed by First Capital Connect.It is located approximately north of London Kings Cross on the East Coast Main Line.- History :...
. It is 7.5 miles (12.1 km) long and there is a graveyard on the track opposite Longacres park. Most graves are covered and few remain intact but they all come from the mental hospital that used to exist in the area.
The route is paved throughout, though rough in places, and has few steep slopes making it a good off-road route for children.
It is part of National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
route 61 which runs from the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
at Maidenhead
Maidenhead
Maidenhead is a town and unparished area within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, in Berkshire, England. It lies on the River Thames and is situated west of Charing Cross in London.-History:...
to the River Lea in Ware. The section from Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City
-Economy:Ever since its inception as garden city, Welwyn Garden City has attracted a strong commercial base with several designated employment areas. Among the companies trading in the town are:*Air Link Systems*Baxter*British Lead Mills*Carl Zeiss...
to Ware is called Cole Green Way
Cole Green Way
The Cole Green Way is a rail trail which runs east-west from the eastern edge of Welwyn Garden City to Hertford in Hertfordshire. Part of National Cycle Network Route 61, and the Lea Valley Walk, it runs for more than six miles along the former Hertford, Luton & Dunstable branch line from Welwyn...
.
In Hatfield the route joins The Great North Way (National Cycle Network route 12) and in St Albans will link to National Cycle Network route 6.
There has been some indication that the railway will be reinstated in the future as an extension to the Abbey Line tram system.
Bus connections
Uno bus route S4Uno buses route S4
Uno bus route S4 is a local bus service in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, linking Cottonmill to St Albans city centre . It operates together with route S5.-History:...
provides a link to the start of the route by Cottonmill Lane. Passengers should alight at Weyman's.
External links
- Alban Way Map - St Albans Cycle Campaign page with a link to download the latest map of the Alban Way in pdf format
- http://www.welhat.gov.uk/pedalpointLeaflet and guide pack for the Alban Way, Cole Green Way and the Great North Way is available from Welwyn HatfieldWelwyn HatfieldThe Borough of Welwyn Hatfield is a local government district in southern Hertfordshire, England.Its covers the two towns of Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield, along with numerous smaller settlements from Woolmer Green in the north to Little Heath in the south. Each of the towns has a railway station...
Borough Council]