HOOP photo gallery 1b: Oughton Head to Old Westmill
These photos follow the Hitchin Outer Orbital Path as it hits its westernmost point at Oughton Head, then turns to pass through the Oughtonhead Common nature reserve. Finally it emerges at the scattered houses of Old Westmill and the Icknield Way.
Click on any thumbnail to see an enlarged version. You can then scroll through the pictures and their captions using the arrows that appear on the edges, or by using your mouse wheel.
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- A left turn and a short stretch beside the field
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- This is as west as it gets on the HOOP
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- The path takes the higher route on the right
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- You can safely ignore this sharp drop to the river
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- The river Oughton emerges from the ground
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- A sheltered, shadowy path between river and fields
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- In places, the river widens and slows
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- Volunteers do sterling work to maintain this reserve
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- The reserve supports a wide variety of life
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- The path passes thick, reedy wetlands
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- The River Oughton is never far away during this stage
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- This was likely made by volunteers from locally-coppiced wood
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- The path gains a second stream, to its right
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- The common and reserve are a great example of a well-managed local resource
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- A classic wetland scene
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- Clumps of reeds near a welcome bench
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- A gnarled old tree clings on in unpromising terrain
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- The old mill stream is visible through the trees from the path
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- Easy walking as the route heads away from the common
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- Just in case you were thinking of bringing a digger with you – don’t!
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- Swinburne Avenue visible across the last of the common
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- A left turn off the path and up into Old Westmill
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- The river, briefly tamed, passes by gardens