Alice is feeling bored while sitting on the riverbank when she notices a talking, clothed White Rabbit with a pocket watch running past. She follows it down a rabbit hole falling a long way to a curious hall with many locked doors of all sizes. The tale plays with logic, giving the story lasting popularity. Its narrative and structure, characters and imagery have been enormously influential in popular culture and literature, especially in the fantasy genre.

The 195 mile trail covers a large part of this beautiful, populous and rich county, incidentally one of the smallest counties in England, only 634 square miles. It is a county of rich contrasts. In the north-east there are wide open panoramas over low hills and farm lands as seen in the area around Barkway. Standing on Therfield Heath you can look down on to the flat plains of Cambridgeshire. Then in the south west there are the steep wooded escarpments of the Chilterns. The route visits ancient market towns, the Cathedral City of St Albans and countless picture postcard villages nestling in an intimate landscape of farmland and woods. In 1801 Hertfordshire had a population of about 100,000; now it is well over one million. It has never been a heavily industrialised area but it has seen its own industrial changes from malting and brewing, plaiting of straw for hats, paper making, industries associated with wool such as fulling (cleaning the woven cloth) and silk mills. Today technical industries and service industries dominate the industrial scene. A good introduction to the county, and how it developed from pre-history can be found in “The Hertfordshire Landscape” by Munby (1977) and “Hertfordshire, a Landscape History” by Rowe and Williamson (2013). People have settled the area since prehistoric times. Along the very ancient Icknield Way there is evidence of many waves of people. On Therfield Heath (see Leg 1) there is a long barrow of the Neolithic Age (2500 BC) and round barrows of the Bronze Age (1000 BC). There is evidence of the Beaker People in Hertfordshire. The hill forts of the Iron Age settlers gave way at the height of their power to the might of the Roman invasion. Many Roman roads go through Hertfordshire, e.g. Ermine Street and Watling Street, and our walk crosses the remains of the Roman town of Verulamium (St Albans). In the Dark Ages Hertfordshire was part of the shifting boundary between the English settlers (Angles & Saxons) and the later invaders, the Vikings. It was a long and turbulent time before the country became united. A good novel, which covers this period, is the “Conscience of the King” by Alfred Duggan. In the Medieval period the great abbeys were founded and one can still be seen in St Albans (see Legs 4 & 5). Many fine Medieval churches can be seen on this walk and short detours will be worth your while to seek out some of these (unfortunately due to the presence of valuable historic items most country churches are now locked on weekdays). During the 16th to 18th centuries many country estates were established in Hertfordshire e.g. Hatfield House, Knebworth House and Ashridge House. Some of the houses have not survived but our walk will take you through parkland, which reminds the walker of those estates. Walkers passing through Ayot St Lawrence will be going through such parkland and Ashridge still has its great house. It was first a monastery, then a great house, now a management college. The growth of London and the coming of industry saw some rapid development in the county in the 19th and 20th centuries. An example of this development was the Ovaltine factory at Kings Langley with the model farm to feed its need for eggs and milk. The factory and farms are all now sadly gone (see Legs 7 & 8). No major rivers flow through the county, however it is still famous for the large number of chalk streams and their associated wildlife (the River Lee or Lea, a tributary of the Thames has its source just north of Luton, flows though the county and is navigable up to Hertford). The Grand Union Canal passes through our county on its way north west (see Leg 7). The railways opened up Hertfordshire for industry and settlement and such towns as Hemel Hempstead and Watford grew from several hundred people to 80,000 plus. Many of the great road routes, which fan out from London (such as the A1, A5, A6, A10 and M1) pass through our county. Finally we saw the first garden cities (Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City) and the new town of Stevenage. The great orbital road, the M25, cuts its way through the county (see Legs 7 to 9) not forgetting the electricity pylons, supplying our thirst for power. Many famous people are associated with Hertfordshire. Samuel Pepys was a regular visitor who once when staying in Baldock noticed that the landlady was very pretty but “I durst not take notice of her, her husband being there”. Queen Elizabeth I, then a princess, was a virtual prisoner at Hatfield House when the Roman Catholic Queen Mary was on the throne. King James I had a palace at Royston (the start of our walk) from where he hunted on the lands of north Hertfordshire. The so called Rye House Plot to kill King Charles II was hatched on its borders. Izaac Walton of “Compleat Angler” fame knew the River Lea well. The earliest Christian martyr, St Alban, was executed in Roman times at the site of the city bearing his name. Francis Bacon lived at Gorhambury (an estate near St Albans th

Sacred is the heart-breaking love story of a young woman and her husband, who live in the old part of the city in Jerusalem. After ten years of a loving relationship without children, Rachel’s husband is forced by custom to reject her. Does she dare to tell the truth – or will she let her beloved husband marry another? 'In Rachel and Naomi, Abecassis creates two powerful and sympathetic heroines, and the power and beauty of her writing renders their story both heartbreaking and hypnotic.'? Observer 'A terrifying book on the feminine condition.' ? Le Figaro

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘Micromegas by Voltaire - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Collected Works of Voltaire’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Voltaire includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘Micromegas by Voltaire - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Voltaire’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter' with the original high resolution illustrations, from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Beatrix Potter’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Potter includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Potter’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the textPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The ‘Half Moon’ by Ford Madox Ford - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Ford Madox Ford’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Ford includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The ‘Half Moon’ by Ford Madox Ford - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Ford’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘Ladies Whose Bright Eyes by Ford Madox Ford - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Ford Madox Ford’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Ford includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘Ladies Whose Bright Eyes by Ford Madox Ford - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Ford’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

Liverpool, 1863: Newly arrived in England, wealthy liberals enlist Trinity, an escaped slave girl, in their campaign to abolish slavery and support Abraham Lincoln's Union. Jubal, a high-ranking Confederate officer, has just arrived in Liverpool to find supporters and raise funds for the opposing side. When Trinity discovers a high-stakes conspiracy there to help win the war for the Southern States, she must risk everything to stop it – including her new-found freedom. But who will believe a runaway slave? And who can she really trust?

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Story of Miss Moppet by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Beatrix Potter’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Potter includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Story of Miss Moppet by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Potter’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the textPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Young Lovell by Ford Madox Ford - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Ford Madox Ford’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Ford includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Young Lovell by Ford Madox Ford - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Ford’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Tale of Mr. Tod by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Beatrix Potter’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Potter includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Tale of Mr. Tod by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Potter’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the textPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘Sister Anne by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Beatrix Potter’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Potter includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘Sister Anne by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Potter’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘Selected Journal Entries by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Beatrix Potter’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Potter includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘Selected Journal Entries by Beatrix Potter - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Potter’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘More Ghost Stories by M. R. James - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of M. R. James’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of James includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘More Ghost Stories by M. R. James - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to James’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the textPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘Abbeys by M. R. James - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of M. R. James’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of James includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘Abbeys by M. R. James - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to James’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘Edward II by Christopher Marlowe - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Christopher Marlowe’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Marlowe includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘Edward II by Christopher Marlowe - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Marlowe’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the textPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Last Trail by Zane Grey - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Collected Works of Zane Grey’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Grey includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Last Trail by Zane Grey - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Grey’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Young Forester by Zane Grey - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Collected Works of Zane Grey’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Grey includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Young Forester by Zane Grey - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Grey’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Heritage of the Desert by Zane Grey - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Collected Works of Zane Grey’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Grey includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Heritage of the Desert by Zane Grey - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Grey’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Young Pitcher by Zane Grey - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Collected Works of Zane Grey’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Grey includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Young Pitcher by Zane Grey - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Grey’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘Homer and the Classical Philology by Friedrich Nietzsche - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Nietzsche includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘Homer and the Classical Philology by Friedrich Nietzsche - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Nietzsche’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles