Historic Monks Walk is best known as the grove of Sweet Chestnut trees leading from Digswell House and St John’s Church to Digswell Place (The Old Rectory). This is a delightful walk that can include the rolling grasslands and ancient trees of Digswell Park, to the north east, and Monks Walk.
The ancient village of Digswell is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book. Within St John’s church (off Knightsfield), archaeological remains of the 12th-century walls may still be seen enclosing the Lady Chapel. The piscina by the high altar may also date from this time.
Malm's wood and Rectory Wood are delightful in spring when filled with bluebells and paths in New wood are great for black-berrying in the autumn.
To visit by car, park in Monkswood (AL8 7EF). Approach Monkswood from the east via Knightsfield and park near the top of the hill (you cannot gain access via Rectory road!). The top of this hill is one of the highest points in Welwyn Garden City, with an amazing view over the surrounding area.
At the top of the hill is a public footpath through a metal kissing gate which runs parallel to a private track. Go through the kissing gate and follow this path until it returns on to the track (which is now marked as a footpath). Keep following this track and on your right is a field which often has some sheep and other animals.
Keep going past this field and a little way after there is a clear path bearing right in to the woods. Follow this woodland path until you are near the cache. If you reach the end of the track (where there is a private dwelling) without turning off the path then you have gone too far.
The cache is a small waterproof plastic box, but it is no ordinary geocache! Please replace exactly as you found it for others to enjoy.
When placed, the cache contained, a logbook, pencil, first to find certificate and quite a few swappable trinkets and of course the Golden Guardian!