A short railway line of 3.7 miles, making an oasis in a very busy area from Ayot St Peter west of Welwyn Garden City to Wheathampstead. The line opened on 1 September 1860 as a branch off the East Coast Main Line and was operable for more than 100 years. After the Second World War and passenger services numbers declined sharply and it was closed in 1951. Freight trains carried on till 1971. Ayot station was destroyed by fire in 1948. It was never rebuilt. The trail starts at the White Bridge, Welwyn Garden City. It goes through Sherrards Wood passing the Red Lion pub, then over the A1(M) picking up the Trail again near Ayot St Peter. Going West, then, it continues to Hunters Bridge and Robinson's Wood . The trail carries on but was bisected by the B653 on its way to Luton. The Ayot way goes through an underpass towards Wheathampstead. There are several Bridlepaths and byways joining the way. The opportunity to use the Ayot Way is there as part of a long distance or circular ride. The West end of the trail joins a By way and bridleway continuing a little further on the Sustrans 57 route into Wheathampstead.