15th July
In which we discover a ‘killer herd’ in Ickenham!
An unremarkable walk until we reach Harvil Farm. We park in Bayhurst Woods and walk north west through Harefield before joining the Grand Union Canal at Broadwater Lock. Turning south, the long walk along the canal as far as Denham Country Park is easy and the towpath empty…everyone’s watching the World Cup Final. We feel smug as we cross Uxbridge Golf Course, we overtake a couple on mountain bikes…the heat is too much for at least one of them and today walking is quicker!
At Harvil Road we pause for photos…today we can see as far as Central London.
In the next field things take an exciting turn. We’re barely 15 yrds into the field when we both spot 3-4 cows cantering towards us with the rest of their friends in close formation behind. A quick calculation suggests we’re unlikely to outrun them to the other side of the field and neither of us fancy trying our luck at ‘being big and authoritative’…which leaves a hasty retreat as our only option…Sue pauses at the stile but I’m not hanging around and bundle both of us over and back onto Harvil Road. By now the herd are snorting and pawing at the ground behind us.
So…the alternative is a lengthy detour, adding 1.5miles to our planned walk and its a good 30mins before we’re back on track. From then on its a thankfully uneventful return to Bayhurst Woods via Newyears Green. A unexpectedly exciting 8.4miles thanks to the hooligan herd at Harvil Farm!
Denham picture gallery (more pictures on Flickr):
Distance: 8.4 miles ; Difficulty: Easy
Coordinates for Satnav: N51° 35.404′ W0° 27.222′
Denham walk profile
Where Angells Tread! 
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