Getting There
Leave the A1(M) at Junction 1 and follow signs to the South Mimms Service Station. Then follow signs in the complex to the Day's Inn Motel.
Return to A1(M) Junction 1
Follow signs out of the service area car park. You will be led directly to the roundabout for the A1(M).
The Hidden Walk at South Mimms Service Station
The walk length as described is around 2 miles, over flat terrain.
This was the most surprising find of the M25 – a country walk within minutes of the motorway.
Park by the motel and then walk on the short path between the motel and the service station. This brings you to a track in the Wash Lane Common nature reserve. Turn left and walk as far as the metal gate at the end, where the national cycle route is signed, and look out for a Public Bridleway sign in the hedgerow.
Go into the field and turn right, keeping the hedge on your right, walking around two sides of the field.
Ignore the right turn, when the path swings round and over a bridge, and keep going on the footpath.
Climb the stile ahead into the next field, where the path continues.
Turn around and retrace your route back to the service station.
It's amazing to breathe fresh country air and feel the stillness of the fields so close to the motorway.
Facilities
All the usual motorway facilities. Should you need accommodation in the area, the Day's Inn Motel has a ‘dogs welcome' policy.
We stayed there, and appreciated the fuss-free approach to canine visitors, and didn't hear traffic noise at all.