The Mimram

Kimpton Mill towards Welwyn

A tree-lined path accompanies the river towards Codicote, which sits on higher ground behind a beech wood. In the river meadow, there are the vestiges of medieval fish ponds.

The footpath peters out at Codicote Mill, which existed in Saxon times and continued working into the 20th century. In the 1380s, there was an attempt to burn it down in the aftermath of the Peasants’ Revolt. Then, after Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, there was an armed confrontation between rival claimants to the mill – whether this was a case of 16th century history red in tooth and claw or just a Carry On Over At Codicote is unclear.

The narrow country road that parallels the Mimram towards Welwyn is crossed by equally minor roads leading up towards the Ayots. At Pulmer Water there is one of several fords, this one with a distinguished old AA depth marker.

Tony Rook says the river runs straight, along an artificial course for the stretch before and after Pulmer Water, then meandering through marsh land. There it appears to be fed by springs before swinging around Oak Hill towards Fulling Mill.