The Wix Wood walk at Hatchlands Park
Hatchlands Park is one of the largest country estates in the green belt surrounding Greater London. This circular walk cuts across the centre of the estate through woodland and open parkland, passing the children's adventure area and providing good views of the house. Follow the purple arrows on our waymarker posts.
Dog walkers
Great for walking your dog all year round. Please keep your four legged friends under close control, especially around cattle.
Map
Elevation
Start:
Hatchlands Park visitor reception, grid ref: TQ0662351842
1
Leave the car park, passing through visitor reception, and head straight on through the iron kissing gate into the parkland. You'll see the house and garden on your right. Continue straight ahead following the blue waymarkers up to the brow of the hill, then down a slight incline towards the driveway where you'll reach point 2.
Sheepwash pond
Just beyond point 2, surrounded by trees and reeds, this small, peaceful pond is a great picnic spot. A haven for wildlife it's fished by a local fishing club. You can regularly see Canada geese, Egyptian geese, grey herons, terns and kingfishers.
2
Upon reaching the driveway turn sharp right and follow the drive uphill across the parkland. As you reach the crest of the hill some of the best views of the house are available, a great spot for a photo. Continue straight ahead down the incline as the house disappears from view and the driveway starts to turn.
House and garden
On your right you'll glimpse the house built by Admiral Boscawen in 1756, with gardens landscaped by Repton and featuring a small parterre by Gertrude Jekyll. This trail will bring you back through the courtyard at the rear of the house.
3
As the driveway curves to the right leave the tarmac and bear left on to the grass path, following the blue waymarkers. Keep following this track as it rises over the brow of the hill, a favourite hangout for our herd of Dexter cattle. The path turns slightly to the right and then back downhill towards a large gate at the entrance to Great Wix Wood.
4
Enter Great Wix Wood through the wooden gate and follow the long straight path through this area of ancient woodland. Some of the oaks here are over 400 years old and in spring the paths are lined with blossom and primroses. You'll find our children's adventure area to your left. Exit the wood through the next gate and cross the parkland field towards the barn and point 5 on our trail.
Wizard Wix's Willow Warren
As you walk through the woodland you might notice our natural adventure for children to your left. Full of balance beams, willow tunnels, leaping logs and wooden sculptures, it’s a must-see stopping point if you’ve got children with you.
5
Just before you reach the gate that forms the boundary to our picnic area on the edge of Little Wix Wood, turn right to follow the blue waymarker post. Skirting the edge of this woodland fence line, continue uphill along the grass parkland path to reach the highest point on the estate. Alternatively, you can take a brief detour and loop through Little Wix Wood, especially if it’s bluebell season, returning to the blue route a short way up the hill.
Beautiful bluebells
In late April and early May, Little Wix Wood breaks out into a riot of colour with a carpet of bluebells stretching from entrance to exit. With a shady canopy allowing for dappled sunshine and a picnic area next door, it's the perfect springtime spot.
6
As you reach the crest of the hill take a minute to turn around and admire the view. Once you’ve caught your breath, continue on along the grass path as it curves slightly to the right through open parkland and then turning sharp right at the blue waymarker post back towards the house and on to point 7.
Viewpoint
For the best views on the whole estate look no further than the top of Wix Hill. Looking north across beautiful Surrey countryside towards London, on a clear day you can see the arch above Wembley Stadium.
7
At point 7 you’ll reach a crossroads with one of our new all weather, cow free paths. This path leads left to Fanny Boscawen’s Walk, or right to the entrance of Great Wix Wood. To continue with this trail head straight on crossing over this path through the two gates in the fence, and on across the park towards the house.
8
As you see the house drawing nearer, follow the grass track and the blue waymarker as the trail turns to the left to meet the driveway. Pass through the iron gate next to the cattle grid and continue up the driveway as it curves to the right and into the courtyard.
9
Enter our cobbled courtyard through the large double gate. If you’re feeling peckish or you fancy a spot of retail therapy then now is the time, you can find our café and shop to your left. If you’d prefer to continue your walk then keep going straight ahead, directly through the courtyard. Once you’ve exited the courtyard follow the path straight ahead until you reach the iron gate at the end.
Drop into our Kitchen Café or shop
Like our walks, our shop and café are open 363 days a year. Drop into the Kitchen Café to enjoy hot and wholesome soups, light bites, cream teas or coffee and cake. Stop by our shop with great stuff for your garden, music from the Cobbe Collection and a few old favourites like preserves and postcards. You’ll be sure to find a bargain with a great range of second hand books.
10
As you exit the gate back out into the parkland, immediately bear left and up the slight incline. As you reach the tree line pass back through the large iron kissing gate to complete the loop and find yourself back at reception.
End:
Hatchlands Park visitor reception, grid ref: TQ0662351842
