Glade
← Back Playing field

William Bell Open Space

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsPitches
Public accessDogs welcome

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
  • Playing fields is at its best in summer here
  • 🛝Playground on site — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome
ParkingPlayground

Best for

10 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie +49 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie +49 more · last seen 2025

Free

Playing fields

Playing field

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Wood Avens, Japanese Knotweed, Pyramidal Orchid +30 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Wood Avens, Japanese Knotweed, Pyramidal Orchid +30 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Large White, Speckled Wood +117 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Meadow Brown, Large White, Speckled Wood +117 more · last seen 2026

Free

Playgrounds

playground, parking

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

20 signed routes nearby · 13 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 5Walking route

The Three Burys Walk

Named routeRef Ver5Local walking route
Ver Valley Walk 7Walking route

The Watermeadow Walk

Named routeRef Ver 7Local walking route
Old Railway & River LeaWalking route7.9 km

After a brief visit to the remains of Wheathampstead railway station, the walk follows the Ayot Greenway (route of the Permanent Way) to Ayot Green. The return journey follows the course of the River Lea.

Named routeLength 7.9 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Wheathampstead to Shaw's Corner Circular Walk, Shaw's CornerWalking route12.2 km

Mostly easy walking across established footpaths and fields. There are some steps along the route, and a steep gully at section 2. Assistance dogs only at Shaw's Corner.

Named routeLength 12.2 kmDuration 03:00Round tripLocal walking route
St. Mary's Walkpublic footpath · 61 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 61 mSurface concretePath type: residential
Ronsons Waypublic footpath · 179 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 179 mPath type: residential
🚴

Cycling

73 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Verulamium Park Cycle PathCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 6Cycling route
Named routeRef 6National Cycle Network
St Albans Green RingCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
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
NCN National Route 57Cycling route
Named routeRef 57National Cycle Network
Chilterns CyclewayCycling route
Named routeRound tripRegional cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

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: 44c0c79c-e00e-47b6-8a17-555592ff0eb2