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The Benedictine Priory of St Mary (Sopwell Priory) and the post-medieval mansions known as Sopwell House or Lee Hall

2 ha

📷 Jim Osley · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

AncientWildlifeBluebells
Free entryDogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

51.74420, -0.33444

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

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  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • 💜Bluebell walks is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Best for

8 activities

Ancient woodland

Strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — continuous woodland since before 1600

Wildlife

Strong match

Free

Deciduous woodland priority habitat; Ancient woodland

Bluebell walks

Strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — native bluebell habitat

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour

Bird watching

Strong match

Free

Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds; Ancient woodland — owls, woodpeckers, warblers

Heritage

Strong match

Free

Historic site

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

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14 signed routes nearby · 13 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Ver Valley Walk 5Walking route▾

The Three Burys Walk

Named routeRef Ver5Local walking route
Ver Valley Walk 7Walking route▾

The Watermeadow Walk

Named routeRef Ver 7Local walking route
Ver Valley Walk 8Walking route▾

The Confluence Walk

Named routeRef Ver 8Local walking route
River Ver TrailWalking route▾

17 mile footpath along the River Ver

Named routeRegional walking route
Ver Valley Walk 4Walking route▾

The Rebournbury Walk

Named routeRef Ver4Local walking route
St Albans Green Ringpublic footpath · 4 m▾
Public pathpublic footpathLength 4 mSurface asphaltPath type: cycleway
Malthouse Courtpublic footpath · 47 m▾
Public pathpublic footpathLength 47 mPath type: residential
Monks Closepublic footpath · 70 m▾
Public pathpublic footpathLength 70 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
🚴

Cycling

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68 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Verulamium Park Cycle PathCycling route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 6Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 6National Cycle Network
St Albans Green RingCycling route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 61Cycling route34 km▾

Route 61 travels from Maidenhead to Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford before arriving near Hoddesdon.

Named routeRef 61Length 34 kmNational Cycle Network
Shenley CircuitCycling route▾
Named routeRound tripLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route386 m▾
Named routeRef 6Length 386 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

21 photos from nearby open sources

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Ruined building, Sopwell

📷 Jim Osley · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Ruined building, Sopwell

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Facilities

🅿️

Parking

7 nearby · Paid · 368m

Free entry🐶 Dogs

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Verulamium ParkUrban park1.4 km→✦Roman VerulamiumHistoric site1.9 km→🌱Clarence ParkUrban park1.3 km→🌱Clarence ParkUrban park1.3 km→🌱Grebe House Wildlife GardenUrban park1.6 km→✦BasillicaHistoric site1.7 km→