WALK IN ANCIENT HUNTING GROUNDS - A GHOST (?!) AND A DRAGON

Our approx. 4 1/2 mile walk takes us through the 14th century Henry IV’s hunting ground, Trent Country Park, which lies in 413 acres of rolling meadows, enchanting brooks, exquisite lakes, ancient woodland, and imposing historical sites.
We’ll visit the approx. 2,000 year old “Camelot” Moat, to learn something about its history and where apparitions of King Arthur’s legendary Queen Guinevere and others are said to have been seen at the Holy Well here.

The house on the estate, built late 1700s, is currently abandoned but was a country house until WW2, when it became an interrogation camp and then a Prisoner of War camp. It has just been announced it's to become a National Museum to open in 2019/20. There’ll be stories of Rudolf Hess, Winston Churchill, Lawrence of Arabia, Charlie Chaplin and Dick Turpin...

During the walk we’ll be able to relax and be inspired in the idyllically peaceful Japanese Water Garden created by Sir Philip Sassoon.

Our walk also takes in a visit to WRAS (Wildlife Rescue and Animal Sanctuary) where for a small entrance fee we can get close to a whole range of creatures, and even be inspired perhaps to adopt Tetra, the Bengal Eagle Owl or Bruce the Chinese Goose. There is also a tea shop and small deer park here.

Towards the end of our walk we encounter THE DRAGON!  Refreshment in a large comfortable real ale pub, dating back to 1798 and although refurbished, was originally named after the alleged slaughter of a dragon in the 17th century by a local villager, Jason, who saved a Princess Louise.

Allowing time for the visit to the animal sanctuary and the Japanese Garden, we usually encounter the Dragon (and the pub) around 3.45/4pm for refreshments, from where it’s just a short walk to where we started at Cockfosters Underground Station.
Leader: Jacquelyn (mob. 0785 793 1296)