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Parsons Spring

✦ Ancient woodland19 ha

📷 Roger Jones · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome19 ha

Getting here

51.69929, 0.34576

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

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

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

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Blackbird, Blue Tit, Robin +50 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Blackbird, Blue Tit, Robin +50 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Pendulous Sedge, Bracken +37 more · last seen 2021

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Brimstone, Comma +138 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Meadow Brown, Brimstone, Comma +138 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Plants — Sweet Chestnut, Pedunculate Oak, Hogweed +7 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby · 7 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Three Forests WayWalking route96 km
Named routeLength 96 kmRound tripRegional walking route
Essex Way (Epping to Stratford St Mary)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
St Peter's WayWalking route66 km
Named routeLength 66 kmRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

9 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 route29 m
Named routeRef 1Length 29 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route2.5 km
Named routeRef 1Length 2.5 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route16 m
Named routeRef 1Length 16 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route2 km
Named routeRef 1Length 2 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

4 public paths nearby

Public paths
Metsons Lanebridleway · 227 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 227 mPath type: unclassified
Old Barns Lanebridleway · 948 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 948 mSurface concretePath type: service
Old Barns Lanebridleway · 1.1 km
Public pathbridlewayLength 1.1 kmSurface gravelPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Footpath in Parsons Spring, Writtle Forest

📷 Roger Jones · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Footpath in Parsons Spring, Writtle Forest

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Blackmore Millennium ParkUrban park2.3 km→🌱Blackmore Millenium FieldUrban park2.2 km→🌱The GreenUrban park2 km→✦Roman villa 100m north west of Handley BarnsHistoric site2.6 km→⛪St Mary's ChurchReligious grounds3 km→⛪St Edmund's and St Mary's ChurchReligious grounds4.2 km→

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