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Downhall Wood

✦ Ancient woodland21 ha

📷 Polly · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome21 ha

Getting here

51.79694, 0.20506

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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
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

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

Best for

10 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Blue Tit +64 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Blue Tit +64 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Pedunculate Oak, Creeping Buttercup, Ash +128 more · last seen 2020

Free

Foraging

Plants — Pedunculate Oak, Hogweed, Common Nettle +16 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White +58 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White +58 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby · 6 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Three Forests WayWalking route96 km
Named routeLength 96 kmRound tripRegional walking route
Harcamlow WayWalking route
Named routeRef HARRegional walking route
London to Walsingham - stage 02Walking route
Named routeRef LW02Local walking route
London to Walsingham - stage 03Walking route
Named routeRef LW03Local walking route
Forest WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

29 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 7Cycling route
Named routeRef EV2International cycle route
NCN National Route 11Cycling route
Named routeRef 11National Cycle Network
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route140 m
Named routeRef 1Length 140 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route218 m
Named routeRef 11Length 218 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route17 m
Named routeRef 11Length 17 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Downhall Country House Hotel - the disused summerhouse at the head of the lake

📷 Polly · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Downhall Country House Hotel - the disused summerhouse at the head of the lake

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦THE HOUSE, MARSH LANEHistoric site3.8 km→🌱The Gibberd GardenUrban park3.9 km→🌱Fair GreenUrban park4 km→✦Roman villa 500m north east of HarlowburyHistoric site4.1 km→🏞️PISHIOBURY PARKCountry park4.3 km→🌱Pishiobury ParkUrban park4.4 km→

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