Glade
← Back🦉 Nature reserve

PARNDON WOODS & COMMON

50 ha

📷 Glyn Baker · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome50 ha

Getting here

51.74070, 0.08835

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦52+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Black-headed Gull
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking nearby, toilets nearby — easy to reach by car

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
ParkingToilets

Best for

9 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Kestrel +49 more · last seen 2026; Nature reserve

Free

Wildlife

Nature reserve; Birds — Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Kestrel +49 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — nature reserve

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Azure Damselfly, Common Darter, Large Red Damselfly +11 more · last seen 2026

Free

Forest walks

Nature reserve

Free

Family friendly

toilets

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

9 signed routes nearby · 19 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Three Forests WayWalking route96 km
Named routeLength 96 kmRound tripRegional walking route
Harcamlow WayWalking route
Named routeRef HARRegional walking route
London to Walsingham - stage 02Walking route
Named routeRef LW02Local walking route
Forest WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Parndon TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

41 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 7Cycling route
Named routeRef EV2International cycle route
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route2 km
Named routeRef 1Length 2 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
Main RouteCycling route140 m
Named routeRef 1Length 140 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route224 m
Named routeLength 224 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route418 m
Named routeRef 1Length 418 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

2 public paths nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Parndon Woods Nature Reserve

📷 Glyn Baker · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Parndon Woods Nature Reserve

1 / 16

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Harlow Town ParkUrban park4.2 km→✦Harlow Town ParkHistoric site4.2 km→🌱Jean McAlpine ParkUrban park2.8 km→🌱Harlow CommonUrban park4.4 km→🌱Kingsmoor Recreation ParkUrban park1 km→🌱Northbrooks ParkUrban park2.7 km→