Roam with a view

We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look

- Holly Louise Eells

Talk to people outside of the county and there’s a common misconception that Hertfordshire is just one large connurbation. The reality is we have an abundance of scenic countryside, woodlands and wild spaces to explore. And autumn is perhaps the best time to do so. It is a time of delights as the leaves turn golden (the National Trust is predicting bumper colour thanks to the sunny September), evocative mists, and on those beautiful fresh blue days the lakes and waterways glisten.

And being outdoors in nature has a power we may have forgotten. It’s been brought home to us this year that spending time in green spaces can have a significant impact on our mental health and wellbeing. So dig out your walking boots, let’s go exploring.

PEGSDON HILLS & ICKNIELD WAY

Part of the Chilterns, a chalk escarpment that runs from Hertfordshire to Oxfordshire, Pegsdon Hills rising between Pegsdon and Lilley is one of the jewels of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s ideal for those who like a walk with a challenge, with uphill climbs and some steep slopes offering wide, open views for miles.