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Hatfield Forest

558 ha

📷 Bill Boaden · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

AncientBirdsBluebells
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome558 ha

Getting here

51.85824, 0.23059

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • 💜Bluebell walks 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
Parking· Paid

Best for

12 activities

Ancient woodland

Ancient woodland — continuous woodland since before 1600

Free

Bird watching

Reedbeds — bitterns, marsh harriers, bearded tits and reed warblers; Birds — Jackdaw, Mallard, Woodpigeon +54 more · last seen 2026

Free

Bluebell walks

Ancient woodland — native bluebell habitat

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

Wildlife

Reedbeds priority habitat; Birds — Jackdaw, Mallard, Woodpigeon +54 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Chalk and limestone grassland — chalkhill blue, adonis blue and rare moths; Insects — Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White +65 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

13 signed routes nearby · 46 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
London to Walsingham - stage 03Walking route
Named routeRef LW03Local 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
🐴

Horse riding

15 public paths nearby

Public paths
The Flitch Waybridleway · 872 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 872 mSurface gravelPath type: bridleway
The Flitch Waybridleway · 843 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 843 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway
Leaper's Lanerestricted byway · 354 m
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 354 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway
The Flitch Waybridleway · 510 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 510 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway
The Flitch Waybridleway · 103 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 103 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Watercourse in Hatfield Forest

📷 Bill Boaden · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Watercourse in Hatfield Forest

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Sworder's FieldUrban park4.8 km→🌱Castle GardensUrban park4.9 km→🏞️HATFIELD FORESTCountry park0 m→🌱Castle GardensUrban park5 km→🌱Rochford SquareUrban park4.7 km→🌱Children's ParkUrban park4.9 km→