Riding Wood ✦ Ancient woodland 5 ha
Plan your visit
🦉 Wildlife🦅 Birds🍂 Seasonal
Public access Free entry Dogs welcome 5 ha
Places › England › Eastern › East Hertfordshire Getting here
51.84504, -0.06772
Open directionsv 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 📍 Open access throughout summer — no booking required 🌤️ Visiting this summer
🌞 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 📍 Open access throughout summer — no booking required £ Free to visit — no entry charge🐕 Dogs welcome🌿 Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat🦉 Wildlife
Very strong match
Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
Free
🦅 Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon +67 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon +67 more · last seen 2025
Free
🍂 Seasonal nature
Strong match
Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Bluebell, Himalayan Balsam, Daffodil +21 more · last seen 2025
Free
🦋 Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White +58 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White +58 more · last seen 2025
Free
Dogs allowed — public woodland
Free
Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Blackthorn, Common Calamint, Gooseberry +1 more foraging species
Varies
Trails nearby Within roughly 5 km 9 signed routes nearby · 10 public paths nearby
Signed route nearby Public paths
Harcamlow Way Walking route ▾
Named route Ref HAR Regional walking route
Show on map Greenwich Meridian Trail Walking route 440 km ▾
A long-distance walk that follows the line of the Prime Meridian. Inaugurated in 2009, to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the Greenwich Meridian.
Named route Ref GMT Length 440 km Regional walking route
Show on map Hertfordshire Way Walking route 267 km ▾
Long distance path
Named route Length 267 km Regional walking route
Show on map Hertfordshire Chain Walk Walking route ▾
Not waymarked
Named route Regional walking route
Show on map Circular Walk "Town to Country No 2" Walking route ▾
Temple Lane public footpath · 661 m ▾
Public path public footpath Length 661 m Surface gravel Path type: track
Show on map 24 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Route 61 Cycling route 34 km ▾
Route 61 travels from Maidenhead to Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford before arriving near Hoddesdon.
Named route Ref 61 Length 34 km National Cycle Network
Show on map Main Route Cycling route 78 m ▾
Named route Ref 61 Length 78 m National Cycle Network Traffic-free Surface unsealedfirm
Show on map Main Route Cycling route 45 m ▾
Named route Ref 61 Length 45 m National Cycle Network Traffic-free Surface asphalt
Show on map N/A Cycling route 96 m ▾
Named route Length 96 m National Cycle Network Traffic-free Surface asphalt
Show on map Main Route Cycling route 808 m ▾
Named route Ref 61 Length 808 m National Cycle Network Traffic-free Surface unsealedfirm
Show on map Main Route Cycling route 164 m ▾
Named route Ref 61 Length 164 m National Cycle Network Traffic-free Surface asphalt
Show on map 3 public paths nearby
Public paths
Sacombe Park bridleway · 406 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 406 m Surface asphalt Path type: service
Show on map Sacombe Park bridleway · 182 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 182 m Surface asphalt Path type: service
Show on map Sacombe Park bridleway · 676 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 676 m Surface asphalt Path type: service
Show on map ✦ Ancient woodland — continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. A rare and irreplaceable habitat, rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Photos Chain Walk on the drive out of Sacombe Park
‹ ›
Weather for this location Next 14 days Nearby places Useful places within 5 km
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UK green spaces mapped from open public data — so anyone can find the woodland, trail, or nature reserve closest to them.
© 2026 Glade · Made with care for UK green spaces
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Wildlife to spot
3,032 records · National Biodiversity Network
▾
Wildlife to spot 3,032 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 45 species
winter spring summer autumn
2025 ▾
Kestrel · Magpie · Carrion Crow · Mistle Thrush · Mallard +40
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Magpie Pica pica Carrion Crow Corvus corone Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Blackbird Turdus merula Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Jay Garrulus glandarius Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Great Tit Parus major Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca Canada Goose Branta canadensis Coot Fulica atra House Sparrow Passer domesticus Nuthatch Sitta europaea Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Coal Tit Periparus ater Starling Sturnus vulgaris Robin Erithacus rubecula Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Dunnock Prunella modularis Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Raven Corvus corax Rook Corvus frugilegus Mute Swan Cygnus olor Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Greenfinch Chloris chloris Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Gadwall Mareca strepera Little Egret Egretta garzetta Greylag Goose Anser anser Kingfisher Alcedo atthis2024 House Martin Delichon urbicum2024 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava2020 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella2020 🦌 Mammals 4 species
summer autumn
2023 ▾
Hedgehog · Polecat · Fallow Deer · Muntjac
Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus2022 Polecat Mustela putorius Fallow Deer Dama dama2021 Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi2019 Slow-worm · Grass Snake
Slow-worm Anguis fragilis Grass Snake Natrix helvetica Gatekeeper · Banded Demoiselle · Southern Hawker · Broad-bodied Chaser · Red Admiral +18
Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus2019 Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea2024 Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa2024 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta2019 Green-veined White Pieris napi Daffodil · Primrose · Cowslip · Blackthorn · Great Mullein +19
Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. pseudonarcissus Primrose Primula vulgaris2023 Cowslip Primula veris Blackthorn Prunus spinosa2023 Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus2023 Common Calamint Clinopodium ascendens2023 Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot 3,032 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 45 species
winter spring summer autumn
2025 ▾
Kestrel · Magpie · Carrion Crow · Mistle Thrush · Mallard +40
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Magpie Pica pica Carrion Crow Corvus corone Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Blackbird Turdus merula Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Jay Garrulus glandarius Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Great Tit Parus major Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca Canada Goose Branta canadensis Coot Fulica atra House Sparrow Passer domesticus Nuthatch Sitta europaea Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Coal Tit Periparus ater Starling Sturnus vulgaris Robin Erithacus rubecula Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Dunnock Prunella modularis Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Raven Corvus corax Rook Corvus frugilegus Mute Swan Cygnus olor Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Greenfinch Chloris chloris Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Gadwall Mareca strepera Little Egret Egretta garzetta Greylag Goose Anser anser Kingfisher Alcedo atthis2024 House Martin Delichon urbicum2024 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava2020 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella2020 🦌 Mammals 4 species
summer autumn
2023 ▾
Hedgehog · Polecat · Fallow Deer · Muntjac
Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus2022 Polecat Mustela putorius Fallow Deer Dama dama2021 Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi2019 Slow-worm · Grass Snake
Slow-worm Anguis fragilis Grass Snake Natrix helvetica Gatekeeper · Banded Demoiselle · Southern Hawker · Broad-bodied Chaser · Red Admiral +18
Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus2019 Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea2024 Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa2024 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta2019 Green-veined White Pieris napi Daffodil · Primrose · Cowslip · Blackthorn · Great Mullein +19
Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. pseudonarcissus Primrose Primula vulgaris2023 Cowslip Primula veris Blackthorn Prunus spinosa2023 Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus2023 Common Calamint Clinopodium ascendens2023 Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
2019
2019
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina2019
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina2019
Cheilosia grossa Cheilosia grossa2023
Cheilosia grossa Cheilosia grossa2023
Minotaur Beetle Typhaeus typhoeus2020
Minotaur Beetle Typhaeus typhoeus2020
Box Tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis2020
Box Tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis2020
Goera pilosa Goera pilosa2019
Goera pilosa Goera pilosa2019
Glyphotaelius pellucidus Glyphotaelius pellucidus2019
Glyphotaelius pellucidus Glyphotaelius pellucidus2019
Mystacides azurea Mystacides azurea2019
Mystacides azurea Mystacides azurea2019
Athripsodes bilineatus Athripsodes bilineatus2019
Athripsodes bilineatus Athripsodes bilineatus2019
Athripsodes cinereus Athripsodes cinereus2019
Athripsodes cinereus Athripsodes cinereus2019
Hydropsyche angustipennis Hydropsyche angustipennis2019
Hydropsyche angustipennis Hydropsyche angustipennis2019
Rhyacophila dorsalis Rhyacophila dorsalis2019
Rhyacophila dorsalis Rhyacophila dorsalis2019
Agapetus fuscipes Agapetus fuscipes2019
Agapetus fuscipes Agapetus fuscipes2019
Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae2019
Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae2019
Peacock Aglais io2019
Peacock Aglais io2019
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus2019
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus2019
Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria2019
Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria2019
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui2019
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui2019
Wild Basil Clinopodium vulgare2023
Wild Basil Clinopodium vulgare2023
Cornus sanguinea subsp. australis Cornus sanguinea subsp. australis2023
Cornus sanguinea subsp. australis Cornus sanguinea subsp. australis2023
Field-rose Rosa arvensis2023
Field-rose Rosa arvensis2023
Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa2023
Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa2023
Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. amygdaloides Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. amygdaloides2023
Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. amygdaloides Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. amygdaloides2023
Pignut Conopodium majus2023
Pignut Conopodium majus2023
Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis2023
Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis2023
Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa2023
Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa2023
Heath Speedwell Veronica officinalis2023
Heath Speedwell Veronica officinalis2023
Early Dog-violet Viola reichenbachiana2023
Early Dog-violet Viola reichenbachiana2023
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta2023
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta2023
Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis2023
Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis2023
Lords-and-Ladies Arum maculatum2023
Lords-and-Ladies Arum maculatum2023
Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna2023
Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna2023
Mistletoe Viscum album2022
Mistletoe Viscum album2022
Butterbur Petasites hybridus2021
Butterbur Petasites hybridus2021
Marsh-marigold Caltha palustris2021
Marsh-marigold Caltha palustris2021
Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera2020
Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera2020 