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Backlane Wood

✦ Ancient woodland9 ha

📷 Nigel Cox · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeSeasonalBirds
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome9 ha

Getting here

51.84383, -0.14702

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Bank Haircap, Cypress-leaved Plait-moss, Broom Fork-moss +62 more · last seen 2025

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow +32 more · last seen 2024; Birds — Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow +32 more · last seen 2024

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Small White, Speckled Wood +294 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Meadow Brown, Small White, Speckled Wood +294 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Dandelion, Common Nettle, Rough Hawk's-beard +2 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

10 signed routes nearby · 11 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
STOOP Link Path 3 - Stevenage Outer Orbital Path LinkWalking route

A link from Stevenage to the STOOP path (at approx 4 o'clock on clockface)

Named route
Hertfordshire WayWalking route267 km

Long distance path

Named routeLength 267 kmRegional walking route
STOOP Link Path 4 - Stevenage Outer Orbital Path LinkWalking route

A link from Stevenage to the STOOP path (at approx 6 o'clock on clockface)

Named route
Hertfordshire Chain WalkWalking route

Not waymarked

Named routeRegional walking route
Circular Walk "Town to Country No 2"Walking route
Named route
🚴

Cycling

35 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 12Cycling route
Named routeRef 12National Cycle Network
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
NCN National Route 57Cycling route
Named routeRef 57National Cycle Network
Ayot GreenwayCycling route
Named route
Main RouteCycling route40 m
Named routeRef 12Length 40 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route769 m
Named routeRef 12Length 769 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

8 public paths nearby

Public paths
Back Lanebyway open to all traffic · 1.6 km
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 1.6 kmSurface unpavedPath type: track
Tewin 039 Byway Open to All Trafficbyway open to all traffic · 223 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 223 mSurface gravelPath type: track
Back Lanebyway open to all traffic · 225 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 225 mSurface unpavedPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Bull's Green: Track to Back Lane

📷 Nigel Cox · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bull's Green: Track to Back Lane

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Datchworth GreenUrban park1.1 km→🦉MARDLEY HEATHNature reserve3.2 km→✦TEWIN WATERHistoric site3.8 km→✦WOODHALL PARKHistoric site4.1 km→🌱Woodhall ParkUrban park4.1 km→🌱Haldens ParkUrban park4.2 km→

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