The choice of name for this path which meanders along the River Hiz is based on history going back to the days of King Offa of Mercia who founded a religious settlement in Hitchin. When the Danes invaded the rivers from the North Sea it is recorded that some built a fort on the confluences of the River Ivel and the River Hiz. A ‘Danegeld’ was paid to the invaders so that they would not invade the nearby settlement of the Hicca Tribe who lived in Hitchin.

The path follows the route the Hicca tribe would have more or less followed from Hitchin to the Danish Fort near the south east corner of Henlow.

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So what treasures would the modern day walker encounter on the route. It is worth taking a look at Henlow Village with its three pubs. Starting at Arlesey Railway Station to get to Henlow pass northwards under the by-pass bridge and follow the footpath to the main road, passing Henlow Bridge Lakes on the way. When you get to the main road just ahead you will find a tree lined track on the right which will take you through the park passing Henlow Grange (now Champneys Health Spa).

Keeping straight on you will leave the park passing firstly the Boyd Field Scout Camp and then by the former gatehouse to St Mary’s Church. Across the end of the road there is the Five Bells Pub. Turning left and following the High Street you will encounter the Engineers Arms (an award winning real ale pub) and finally the Crown. Excellent meals can be had both at the Crown and the Five Bells. I won’t describe the fare, go and find out for yourselves.

Henlow sign and village pump in the High Street. Photo: Steve Maddox

Going back to the Arlesey entrance of Henlow Park you will find an entrance just a short distance from the main road to Henlow Bridge Lakes walks. Pass through this gate and head towards the river. Here is the start or end of the Hicca Way depending which way you are walking. Enter the gate and head for the river. Standing at this corner somewhere just over the river would have been the site of the Danish Camp. Turning southwards and following the river past Henlow Bridge Lakes Leisure Park, on your right you are back at the Station. Cross the river and on the right is the entrance to the Glebe Meadows nature reserve. It is worth taking time to admire the medieval bridge and read about it on the information board before walking south.

Before you proceed take a look at Arlesey village which is just across the railway line. Crossing the Station into Old Oak Close leads you firstly to the Old Oak Pub (below).

Turn right into Church Lane leads you to the Vicar’s Inn opposite St Peters Church. The church is a veritable time capsule. It is a Grade 1 Listed Building, with a list of ministers going back to 1180.  The original building was constructed by monks from Waltham Abbey in the early 12th century.  Further south passing the war memorial and down the hill you will find the White Horse pub. Several ‘quickie marts’ can be found at this end of the village as well.

The Old Oak in Aelesey – built in 1850. www.oldoakarlesey.co.uk. Photo: Steve Maddox

The Old Moat on a crisp day in November 2011. Photo: Steve Maddox

Back on track at the Glebe Meadows you will come to the Old Moat nature reserve. You actually cross the Old Moat to get to the Mill Pits and is worth taking note of the wildlife. The whole area is listed as of County Wildlife importance. At the Mill Pits you can pass back over the railway crossing to the village. This will shortly be replaced by a pedestrian bridge over the lines. Heading further south brings you to the end of Mill Lane passing a conifer tree nursery on the way. Access to the village can also be made by following Mill Lane. Continuing south you encounter Arlesey Common (awarded under the Inclosure Act 1804).

Access again can be made back to the village and the nearest public house The True Britton can be found at the junction of Hospital and Station Road. Crossing the River Hiz at the Common takes you on the route via Ramerwick farm towards Ickleford. This section is predominately arable and can be muddy when wet. Leaving this slightly unappealing landscape and heading eastwards take you to the Ickleford Commons. Yes, in the plural as Ickleford has a plethora of Commons with names such as Whitsun and Christmas Common. Following the route through the commons you come out near Lower Green Farm Equestrian Centre.

If you go straight ahead on joining the main road you will pass the Cricketers Pub (below) and further on is the village centre.

Photo: Steve Maddox

To follow the Hicca path you need to turn left and head to the railway bridge and after crossing the river walk up by the side of the cottages on the opposite side of the road. This takes you across another stretch of meadow land and joins the Icknield Way near Gerry’s Hole, a small nature reserve. Cross back over the river and following the Icknield Way also takes you back to the village centre. Around the green are a couple of pubs a shop and St Katherine’s Church (pictured right).

The route at Gerry’s Hole takes a temporary detour due to the Cambridge line flyover constructions (completion estimated 2015). Crossing pleasant meadows takes you out to the road via Laurel Way. Follow this temporary route, passing by Bowman’s Mill to enter the outskirts of Hitchin. Turn left into The Mead pass through the bollards at the bottom of the road into Bury Mead Road. How best to describe this route past factories, sewerage works, waste transfer station etc? Best avoided, but currently unavoidable.

At the end of Bury Mead Road by the massive railway arches of the East Coast Mainline bear right across the road into the Ransoms Recreation ground. Believe it or not the little stream you cross at the entrance is still the river Hiz. Walk up the hill in the park and leave by the park gates in Nightingale Road. Bearing left brings you to Hitchin Station where you can catch a train ride home to Arlesey.

Information on Ickleford can be seen on the website: www.icklefordpc.com

Hitchin is an interesting market town and is worth exploring. It has suffered from redevelopment but niches of some of the older parts still remain. St. Mary Church is impressive sitting by the ornamental stretches of the river Hiz. Sainsbury’s new store has embellished the river from what was a fetid ditch behind the tan yard. Quite ponging at times when in operation so good has come from the re-development. The route follows through the car park and to get to it from Ransoms Rec on entry you turn immediately right and walk into Florence Street crossing over Nightingale Road into the Bancroft Recreation Ground. This takes you through to Sainsbury’s car park. Follow the river and pass through some gates in the new housing estate into Hermitage Road. Slightly down Hermitage Road on the opposite side is an alley which takes you through to Portmill Lane. A small section of the river can be viewed here looking a little sorry for itself. In Portmill Lane the ornamental section of the river commences. Choose which side to follow. It is worth climbing the steps and take in the full grandeur of St Mary’s Church.

At the end by the market you will have to bear left to reach Queen Street as a large fence dividing the Biggin and the new houses in Tilehouse Street obstructs the way. Do walk back down Bridge Street to take peek at the river. Take a look up further at Tilehouse Street as this is probably the last remaining area of old Hitchin and is full of interesting architecture. Hitchin Priory on the right is under private ownership and not open to the public but some interesting remains can be seen from the road.

A view of the river looking towards Tilehouse Street in Hitchin. Photo: Geoff Page

Photo: Steve Maddox

Back at the roundabout walk up Park Street to Hitchin Hill just before the Three Moorhens Pub bear right to pass over the by-pass (a pedestrian bridge) to the ploughed remains of Priory Park. Vistas from the top of the hill can be taken in as you head on your final mile to Charlton and your final goal The Windmill Pub. You have now earned the right to sit by the river Hiz, watch the ducks and have a drink.

ACORN and their partners in Ickleford, Hitchin and Charlton are working hard to improve the route. To upgrade some of the very muddy sections and install waymarker discs. Information boards will be placed strategically along the route and Hertfordshire County Council has found funding for all the Hertfordshire work. It is planned for the Charlton section to take a different route back and negotiations are taking place to put this in place. So sit back, have another pint and we will eventually describe how to get home. After all it’s not a bad place to get marooned in.

The footpath opened on the 22nd July 2012 with a group of runners starting from Ickleford and carrying a Danegeld along the route to Glebe Meadow, and finishing with a reception at Henlow Bridge Lakes very close to the site of the Danish camp to the north of Arlesey.