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Hatfield Forest

✦ Ancient woodland35 ha

📷 George · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome35 ha

Getting here

51.85153, 0.23004

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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
  • 🅿️Elgins Car Park 27m away — 6 car parks within reach

Good to know

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

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Jackdaw, Mallard, Mute Swan +47 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Jackdaw, Mallard, Mute Swan +47 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Ulota crispula, Starry Earth-moss · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Lowland meadows — marbled white, meadow brown and pollinating insects; Insects — Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White +60 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

14 signed routes nearby · 5 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Hatfield Forest Walk, Hatfield ForestWalking route2.7 km

Circular walk around the lake and then through the forest. Paths can get muddy after wet weather. Dogs welcome, please keep dogs on lead near livestock and around the lake.

Named routeLength 2.7 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
Hertfordshire WayWalking route267 km

Long distance path

Named routeLength 267 kmRegional walking route
Forest WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Capability Brown Walk, Hatfield ForestWalking route3 km

Circular trail explores the Georgian highlights of Hatfield Forest and influences of architect Capability Brown. Mostly level ground, some tree routes and gates. Paths can get muddy. Dogs on leads near livestock and around the lake.

Named routeLength 3 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
Stort Valley WayWalking route
Named route
🚴

Cycling

38 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 16Cycling route
Named routeRef 16National Cycle Network
Regional Route 50Cycling route
Named routeRef 50Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route201 m
Named routeRef 11Length 201 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route17 m
Named routeLength 17 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route26 m
Named routeLength 26 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route202 m
Named routeLength 202 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Heifer, Lodge Coppice, Hatfield Forest

📷 George · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Heifer, Lodge Coppice, Hatfield Forest

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Hatfield ForestUrban park700 m→🏞️HATFIELD FORESTCountry park800 m→✦Hatfield Broad Oak PrioryHistoric site2.7 km→🌱Village GreenUrban park2.8 km→✦Wallbury campHistoric site4.7 km→🌱Northolt Avenue ParkUrban park4.7 km→

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