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Hatfield Forest

✦ Ancient woodland11 ha

📷 PAUL FARMER · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome11 ha

Getting here

51.85670, 0.23961

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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 182m 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, Woodpigeon +59 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Jackdaw, Mallard, Woodpigeon +59 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Silky Wall Feather-moss, Supine Plait-moss, Fox-tail Feather-moss +46 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

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

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

11 signed routes nearby · 4 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
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
London to Walsingham - stage 03Walking route
Named routeRef LW03Local walking route
Three Forests WayWalking route96 km
Named routeLength 96 kmRound tripRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

35 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 16Cycling route
Named routeRef 16National Cycle Network
Regional Route 50Cycling route
Named routeRef 50Regional cycle route
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
Main RouteCycling route47 m
Named routeRef 16Length 47 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface concrete

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Raised path joins track in Hatfield Forest

📷 PAUL FARMER · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Raised path joins track in Hatfield Forest

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Hatfield ForestUrban park600 m→🏞️HATFIELD FORESTCountry park600 m→🌱Village GreenUrban park3.1 km→✦Hatfield Broad Oak PrioryHistoric site3.2 km→🌱Northolt Avenue ParkUrban park4.9 km→🌱Village GreenUrban park3.1 km→

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