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Harefield Wood

✦ Ancient woodland28 ha

📷 JThomas · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome28 ha

Getting here

51.75055, -0.16654

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦83+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Carrion Crow and Great Tit
  • 🐕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

9 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Woodpigeon +80 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Woodpigeon +80 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

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

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Hawthorn, Dog's Mercury, Wood Avens +3 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants

Varies

Insect spotting

Traditional orchard — specialist orchard insects and lichens

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

14 signed routes nearby · 37 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Lea Valley WalkWalking route
Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Red TrailWalking route
Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
Hertfordshire WayWalking route267 km

Long distance path

Named routeLength 267 kmRegional walking route
Hertfordshire Chain WalkWalking route

Not waymarked

Named routeRegional walking route
WGC100 Centenary WalkWalking route20.2 km

Created for Welwyn Garden City's 100th anniversary, a circular walk around the whole town

Named routeLength 20.2 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Warrenwood Mewspublic footpath · 139 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 139 mSurface asphaltPath type: service
🚴

Cycling

79 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN12 proposed reroutingCycling route
Named routeRef 12National Cycle Network
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
NCN 12 delistedCycling route
Named routeRef 12National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route52 m
Named routeRef 12Length 52 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

6 public paths nearby

Public paths
Hornbeam Lanebridleway · 412 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 412 mSurface paving_stonesPath type: service
Green Streetbyway open to all traffic · 1.8 km
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 1.8 kmSurface dirtPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Crop field towards Harefield Wood

📷 JThomas · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Crop field towards Harefield Wood

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🦉NORTHAW GREAT WOOD COUNTRY PARKNature reserve3.6 km→🏞️NORTHAW GREAT WOODCountry park3.6 km→🌱Coronation GardensUrban park4.3 km→🌱Coronation GardensUrban park4.3 km→✦HATFIELD HOUSEHistoric site2.6 km→🌱Old Palace GardenUrban park3.2 km→

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