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← Back🌲 Conifer forest

The Gorse

27 ha

📷 Robin Webster · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome27 ha

Getting here

51.68307, -0.30043

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦62+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Shoveler and Pochard
  • 🐕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

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Shoveler, Pochard, Wigeon +59 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Shoveler, Pochard, Wigeon +59 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

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

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Forest walks

Public woodland

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Western Conifer Seed Bug, Meadow Grasshopper, Field Grasshopper +1 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Western Conifer Seed Bug, Meadow Grasshopper, Field Grasshopper +1 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

22 signed routes nearby · 6 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Ver Valley Walk 7Walking route

The Watermeadow Walk

Named routeRef Ver 7Local walking route
LOOP link to Elstree & Borehamwood stationWalking route
Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Dollis Valley Greenwalk linkWalking route
Named routeRef DVGlinkLocal walking route
Watling Chase Timberland TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Shenley Route 5Walking route
Named routeRef 5Local walking route
🚴

Cycling

24 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Shenley CircuitCycling route
Named routeRound tripLocal cycle route
Route 6Cycling route
Named routeRef 6National 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
Main RouteCycling route343 m
Named routeRef 6Length 343 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route128 m
Named routeRef 6Length 128 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route218 m
Named routeRef 6Length 218 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Woodland path

📷 Robin Webster · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Woodland path

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Aldenham Country ParkUrban park4 km→✦ALDENHAM HOUSEHistoric site3.2 km→✦NAPSBURY HOSPITALHistoric site4.7 km→🌱Aberford ParkUrban park2.7 km→🌱Aldenham Country ParkUrban park4 km→🏞️ALDENHAMCountry park4 km→

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