Redbourn Common

Grim's Ditch

Sandringham Community · 12 miles

A linear earthwork crossing the north-west fringe of Greater London stretches for roughly six miles, linking the ridge at Stanmore Hill with the area around Bushey Heath north of Pinner Green. The surviving sections begin around Harrow Weald Common, where the historic bank can be followed along the Old Redding high path that runs through the centre of the ridge and includes a map-marked viewpoint. A short distance further up the “high road” the line of trees opens to provide additional outlooks over the surrounding landscape. From the elevated points visitors can glimpse central London, including the Shard, and to the south the silhouette of Leith Hill with its 20-metre tower. Westward the Chilterns and Coombe Hill in Buckinghamshire are visible, while the highest surviving point, situated near the historic county top of Middlesex above Grim’s Dyke Golf Club on the Bushey Heath Walk footpath, bears a stone marker installed by the Harrow Heritage Trust. The site is classified as an archaeological feature, with the nearest settlement identified as Sandringham Community. The earthwork is thought to have been constructed by the Catuvellauni tribe, either as a defensive barrier against Roman advance or as a boundary marker. Radiocarbon dating of material recovered during a 1979 excavation suggests an Iron Age or early Roman date, around 50 AD ± 80 years. Adjacent to the ditch, Grim’s Dyke—a house designed by Norman Shaw in 1870 and later the home of W. S. Gilbert—now operates as a hotel and is listed for its architectural significance. The area is freely accessible via the public footpaths, with no specific admission charge noted.

Wheathampstead Railway Station

Wheathampstead · 5 miles

Site of former Dunstable Branch station, with restored platform, benches, track and wagon. Play equipment and information boards have also been installed.

St Margarets Priory (Remains)

St Margaret's · 5.6 miles

Former nunnery of the Order of St Benet Biographies

Shaw's Corner

Ayot St Lawrence · 6.2 miles

George Bernard Shaw's Villa. Shaw's Corner was the country home of playwright Bernard Shaw for 44 years

Berkhamsted Castle

Berkhamsted · 6.8 miles

Norman motte-and-bailey castle built on earlier Saxon site. Final surrender of Saxons to Normans made here.

Hatfield Bunker

Salisbury Village · 7.5 miles

Bunker musem in basement. Opens occasional Sundays.