GETTING THERE

Put at its simplest, from the M1 or A1(M), get onto the A505 (through or to Luton respectively) and turn off at Lilley. Turn left off West Street onto West Street (yes, really) at the small green with the Hertfordshire sign and we are the bungalow down on the left immediately after the pub (The Lilley Arms).

In more detail:

From junction 10 of the M1, follow signs to Luton on the A1081 but avoid going into the town centre and get onto the A505 signposted Hitchin (we think). This takes you past Luton Airport. Keep following the A505 to Hitchin as it goes round, through and out of the town. Just over a mile after the last of the houses you should see Lilley signposted. Take the sliproad off the A505 and up to a T-junction. Turn left and follow the road as it bears left and you enter Lilley. Now follow the 'Once in Lilley ...' directions.

From junction 8 of the A1(M), take the A602 heading West to Hitchin. At the second roundabout in Hitchin, turn left onto the A505 to Luton. Head down the A505 until you see Lilley signposted. This will take you down a long country road that runs parallel to the A505, through the village of Offley and eventually to a T-junction where you turn right and drive over the A505. Follow the road as it bears left and you enter Lilley. Now follow the 'Once in Lilley ...' directions.

Once in Lilley go past a small green (1) with a post box, phone box and bus stop (obviously the communications hub of the village) and bear right, then slightly left past a church. As the road snakes off to the right again you should see a (very) small green (2) with a Hertfordshire sign. Turn left here and Whitegates is down on the left immediately after the pub.

The route from the M1 is simpler but takes you around some of the most unattractive parts of Luton (though right past the foot of Luton Airport runway which is interesting). The route from the A1 goes through much nicer countryside but requires that you carefully follow the signs as, to get to Lilley, you have to turn off the A505 before you get to Lilley! Does that make sense? Try this homemade map.

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