Take M1 south to Junction 12. Turn left on A5120 towards Flitwick. After 1/4 mile turn right to Harlington. In the village, go past the station, straight on over the crossroads. The road goes around the church, then enjoy splendid views across the valley to the Chilterns. Descend a steep hill, then carry on through Sharpenhoe and eventually to Barton. Turn right at a mini-roundabout, and then left onto Barton Road, the B655 to Hexton. Once out of Barton, the road passes lovely rolling fields along the edge of the Chilterns. In Hexton, turn right at a crossroads to Lilley. Go over a long hill and the road straigtens out before bending sharp right (ignore the right turn to Streatley), then left. Now the road is very narrow for 100 yards, so one must look far ahead ro make sure nobody is coming before proceeding (tricky in rush hour). Soon you arrive in the peaceful village of Lilley; follow the road right through it and over the A505 dual carriageway. Turn immediately left up Hollybush Hill to Great Offley, a mile or so away. After the Post Office and Offley Oriental, turn right into the High Street at a crossroads by the famous Green Man pub. Court Cottage is then number 33, after 100 yards on the left hand side, unmistakeable with white painted ground floor and dark brown timbers upstairs.
Leave M1 at Junction 10. (WARNING: rush hour can be a nightmare on M1 around Luton to/from London and the airport.) Proceed to next roundabout and go straight on down the A1081 towards Luton Airport. Continue straight on over the next roundabout, signposted A505 to Hitchin. The road bears round to the left; avoid low-flying aircraft. Keep straight on over the next three roundabouts, past the old Vauxhall factory. At the roundabout at the top of the hill, turn right into Stopsley Way (still the A505). Carry straight on over the next roundabout, past the cemetery (watch out for the speed camera here on the return journey), and straight on at the new roundabout, finally heading out of Luton. The dual carriageway goes down a steep hill and bends right then left before a sudden turn off to Great Offley and Lilley. (Don't miss this, else you must continue all the way to Hitchin and then come back again.) At the top of the slip road turn right over the bridge called Lilley Bottom, and then turn immediately left up Hollybush Hill to Great Offley, a mile or so away. After the Post Office and Offley Oriental, turn right into the High Street at a crossroads by the famous Green Man pub. Court Cottage is then number 33, after 100 yards on the left hand side, unmistakeable with white painted ground floor and dark brown timbers upstairs.
© copyright Malcolm Smith 2002-06-09 - last updated 2018-05-05