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Scratch Wood

✦ Ancient woodland5 ha

📷 Robin Webster · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeSeasonalBirds
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome5 ha

Getting here

51.81038, -0.45279

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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

Good to know

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

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Bluebell, Daisy, Common Bent +214 more · last seen 2025

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Blackbird +45 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Blackbird +45 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Small White, Large White +50 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Meadow Brown, Small White, Large White +50 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Plants — Garlic Mustard, Spear-leaved Orache, Ground-elder +21 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

10 signed routes nearby · 3 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
The Chiltern WayWalking route275 km

A waymarked long-distance footpath in southern England

Named routeRef CWLength 275 kmRegional walking route
Ver Valley Walk 2Walking route

The Upper Ver Valley

Named routeRef Ver2Local walking route
Ver Valley Walk 3Walking route

The Winterbourne Walk

Named routeRef Ver3Local walking route
Whipsnade and Dunstable Downs Walk, Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade EstateWalking route7.2 km

Parts of the walk can become muddy after wet weather. Sturdy footwear is advised. Stiles, gates and some moderate slopes and steep gradients across grassland and woodland floors.

Named routeLength 7.2 kmDuration 02:30Round tripLocal walking route
Hertfordshire WayWalking route267 km

Long distance path

Named routeLength 267 kmRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

27 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Hemel Hempstead cycle route 7Cycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Buncefield Lane QuietwayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
NCN National Route 57Cycling route
Named routeRef 57National Cycle Network
Chilterns CyclewayCycling route
Named routeRound tripRegional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route30 m
Named routeRef 57Length 30 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route758 m
Named routeRef 57Length 758 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Icknield Way Cycle TrailMountain bike route226 km

This is the off-road or mountain cycling route of the Icknield Way Trail.

Named routeLength 226 kmRegional cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Wood End Lane

📷 Robin Webster · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Wood End Lane

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Redbourn CommonUrban park3.9 km→🌱Cumberland GardensUrban park4.2 km→🌱Margaret Lloyd ParkUrban park4.4 km→🌱Margaret Lloyd ParkUrban park4.4 km→🌱Kinsbourne Green CommonUrban park4.9 km→✦The Aubreys campHistoric site3.6 km→

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