Codicote: History and Walking Routes

If you are looking for hotels for a trip to Codicote, local history and routes through the countryside can offer different points of reference for your stay. The historical connections range from the dedication of St Giles’ Church around 1111 to Pond House’s use as a Red Cross hospital during the First World War. For walkers, the description of the fourth section of the Hertfordshire Way and the details of the Codicote South-West Loop offer different perspectives: a named route and a circular walk with information on total distance and total ascent. This can help you decide whether history or walking will play a greater part in your stay.

History and Buildings

St Giles was dedicated by the Bishop of Rochester around 1111. Pond House has a different historical role: it was used as a Red Cross hospital during the First World War. The local history thus brings together a church dedication and the use of a house to care for the sick in wartime. These two connections differ in both period and subject, giving you specific points of reference for understanding Codicote’s history.

Two historic inns can also be compared by their visible timber framing and dates. The George and Dragon Restaurant is a former inn dating from the 16th century or earlier, with visible timber framing. The Goat Public House is a timber-framed inn from the late 16th or early 17th century, also with visible timber framing. What the buildings have in common is their visible timber framing, while the dates indicate different periods of construction.

Walking and Countryside

The fourth section of the Hertfordshire Way leaves Codicote High Street via St Albans Road, reaches Codicote Bottom Farm and then continues through fields and woodland to Heath Hill. The section also includes a two-thirds-of-a-mile stretch of path that runs alongside young plantings and through parkland and farmland, with views of the hills around Codicote. The two descriptions complement each other: the route identifies waypoints as far as Heath Hill, while the shorter stretch highlights landscape features and views.

The Codicote South-West Loop is a circular route 4.3 miles (7 km) long, with a total ascent of 91 metres. It crosses the River Mimram twice and follows paths through rolling countryside. When comparing the distances, note what each one refers to: the two-thirds of a mile describes one section of the Hertfordshire Way, while 4.3 miles is the total length of the Loop. The Hertfordshire Way description therefore focuses on the route, scenery and views, while the Loop details its distance, ascent and river crossings.

Check the path conditions before setting out. An official waymarker is currently missing at one point on the fourth section of the Hertfordshire Way; take this into account when navigating and check the waymarking before you start. Conditions on the South-West Loop may also vary.

Discover more destinations: Waltham Cross, Berkhamsted, Sawbridgeworth, Markyate, Stevenage, Hertingfordbury, Hailey, Hitchin

See the main travel overview: Hertfordshire.