GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Gorhambury Estate Walk

6 miles (9.5 km)

This walk explores the Gorhambury Estate in St Albans in Hertfordshire.
You can walk through the estate along the Gorhambury Drive which is normally open between 8am and 6pm. The permissive paths lead from Bluehouse Hill, Beech Tree Lane and Redbourn Road. 
This walk starts from Verulamium Park where you can see the ancient Roman Theatre before following the drive around the estate. This opening section uses part of the Hertfordshire Way and the Ver-Colne Valley Walk to take you past the roman site and then into Gorhambury. There's lovely views across the estate's fields with sheep and horses to see also.
The drive then bends round taking you past Gorhambury House before coming to Old Gorhambury House which is now a ruin. It was once an immense mansion constructed in 1563-8 by the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, Sir Nicholas Bacon. It was visited a number of times by Queen Elizabeth I and is a Grade I listed building.
The more modern house is a Palladian-style mansion built between 1777 and 1784 to replace Old Gorhambury House. The building is currently the home of the 7th Earl of Verulam.

Postcode

AL3 6AH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Gorhambury Estate OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Gorhambury Estate Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Prae Wood Arms can be found on the eastern side of the estate. The pub has an interesting history having been built for Lady Frances Cooke Grimston in 1838. It's a great place for Al Fresco dining with lawns that gently slope down towards the River Ver at the bottom of the lovely gardens. There's also a finely restored interior with lots of photo's and historical prints to see. They serve high quality food from a varied menu.
You can find them at postcode AL3 6JZ for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

Dogs are allowed on the estate but they must be kept on leads due to the livestock in the surrounding fields. The Prae Wood Arms mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

The Roman Theatre of Verulamium - geograph.org.uk - 2795066

The Roman Theatre of Verulamium

Hertfordshire Way - Gorhambury - geograph.org.uk - 135019

Hertfordshire Way - Gorhambury. Watling Street lies beneath the field on the other side of the fence. The roman road went in a straight line but this driveway to Gorhambury House now has a bend in.

GOC Redbourn 078 Field with cattle at Gorhambury (24082330821)

Cattle on the estate

Nashs-Lodge-20051002-047

Nashs-Lodge

Gorhambury house - geograph.org.uk - 795

Gorhambury house

Old-Gorhambury-House-20051002-040

Old Gorhambury House ruins 1

Old Gorhambury House - geograph.org.uk - 4272562

Old Gorhambury House ruins 2

Temple-Cottage-20051002-026

Temple-Cottage and the drive

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Gorhambury Estate.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')