Glade
← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Whitegate Plantation

31 ha
WildlifeBirdsDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome31 ha

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

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Mute Swan, Jackdaw +46 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Mute Swan, Jackdaw +46 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper +29 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper +29 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Forest walks

Public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

16 signed routes nearby · 22 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Hatfield Forest Walk, Hatfield ForestWalking route2.7 km

Circular walk around the lake and then through the forest. Paths can get muddy after wet weather. Dogs welcome, please keep dogs on lead near livestock and around the lake.

Named routeLength 2.7 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
Hertfordshire WayWalking route267 km

Long distance path

Named routeLength 267 kmRegional walking route
Forest WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Capability Brown Walk, Hatfield ForestWalking route3 km

Circular trail explores the Georgian highlights of Hatfield Forest and influences of architect Capability Brown. Mostly level ground, some tree routes and gates. Paths can get muddy. Dogs on leads near livestock and around the lake.

Named routeLength 3 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
Stort Valley WayWalking route
Named route
🚴

Cycling

46 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN National Route 11Cycling route
Named routeRef 11National Cycle Network
Route 16Cycling route
Named routeRef 16National Cycle Network
Regional Route 50Cycling route
Named routeRef 50Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route218 m
Named routeRef 11Length 218 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route17 m
Named routeRef 11Length 17 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route35 m
Named routeRef 11Length 35 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

2 public paths nearby

Public paths
Leaper's Lanerestricted byway · 354 m
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 354 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway
The Streetrestricted byway · 205 m
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 205 mPath type: unclassified

Wildlife to spot

Photos

1 / 15

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: 8ef136ae-ada6-4f0c-a8ae-ccaec992a031