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Bladder Wood - Conifer woodland

✦ Ancient woodland3 ha

Plan your visit

WildlifeDogsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome3 ha

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
Walking trails

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Deciduous woodland priority habitat; Ancient woodland

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour

Free

Bird watching

Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Cycling

Named cycling route nearby: NCN National Route 57

Varies

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby · 10 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Old Railway & River LeaWalking route7.9 km

After a brief visit to the remains of Wheathampstead railway station, the walk follows the Ayot Greenway (route of the Permanent Way) to Ayot Green. The return journey follows the course of the River Lea.

Named routeLength 7.9 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Wheathampstead to Shaw's Corner Circular Walk, Shaw's CornerWalking route12.2 km

Mostly easy walking across established footpaths and fields. There are some steps along the route, and a steep gully at section 2. Assistance dogs only at Shaw's Corner.

Named routeLength 12.2 kmDuration 03:00Round tripLocal walking route
Above the Lea ValleyWalking route6.5 km

From quiet woods to expansive views over the Lea valley, this walk includes Gustard Wood at the northern tip of Wheathampstead and the Grade I splendour of Mackerye End.

Named routeLength 6.5 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Hertfordshire WayWalking route267 km

Long distance path

Named routeLength 267 kmRegional walking route
STOOP - Stevenage Outer Orbital PathWalking route

A 27 mile circular walking route around Stevenage

Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

74 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Ayot GreenwayCycling route
Named route
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
Chilterns CyclewayCycling route
Named routeRound tripRegional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route52 m
Named routeRef 12Length 52 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

3 public paths nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Bluebells in Dowdell's Wood

Bluebells in Dowdell's Wood

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