Footpath No.21 – Hammer Lane to Barford Upper Pond at County boundary with Surrey

Updated Sept 2020

Note: There are steep steps on this path

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A finger post (fallen in Sept 2020) on Hammer Lane indicates a gap by Laurel Cottage.

 

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The path descends by steps between wooden fences ...

 

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... then opens out with an unprotected drop on the right-hand side. The path is narrow and care is needed here.

 

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An impressive wooden walkway has been built to take the path safely across a sheer fall. One hopes it will continue to be well maintained.

 

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At the end of the walkway there are steep and uneven steps down to the road, with no handrail.

 

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It would be easy to fall here (reverse view)

 

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Across the road (Whitmore Vale Road) the path continues downward ...

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... to reach Barford Upper Pond.

 

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The pond had been partly drained for maintenance to the dam wall on the day of our visit.
Technically FP21 ends at the sluice, which is the county boundary. The path continues as Surrey FP32a. Go across the unprotected sluice ...

 

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... and along the dam (reverse view).

 

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The pond is a fine sight from here in all seasons.

 

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The path becomes an accommodation road for the residents of The Barracks cottages, and meets the bridleway which goes along the Surrey side of Whitmore Vale. Turn either right or left for circular walks back to Headley.