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Old Palace Garden

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifePicnic
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦59+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Jackdaw and Great Tit
  • 🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
  • Stable Yard Coffee Shop — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
CaféParking· FreeToilets

Best for

9 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Jackdaw, Great Tit, Robin +56 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Jackdaw, Great Tit, Robin +56 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

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

Free

Picnic day out

café, toilets, car park; Urban park — open green space

Free

Family friendly

café, toilets; Urban park — family destination

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Cycling

Named cycling route nearby: Route 12

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

13 signed routes nearby · 14 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Old Railway & River LeaWalking route7.9 km

After a brief visit to the remains of Wheathampstead railway station, the walk follows the Ayot Greenway (route of the Permanent Way) to Ayot Green. The return journey follows the course of the River Lea.

Named routeLength 7.9 kmRound tripLocal walking route
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
Arm and Sword Lanepublic footpath · 87 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 87 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
🚴

Cycling

104 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN12 proposed reroutingCycling route
Named routeRef 12National Cycle Network
Ayot GreenwayCycling route
Named route
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

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Old Palace Garden, Hatfield House

Old Palace Garden, Hatfield House

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