Activities at Hatfield Forest

Activities for all at Hatfield Forest

The forest trails are ideal for walking, running or riding. Try the lake for boating or fishing.

Fun for Families at Hatfield Forest

Bring your family to the forest and enjoy a range of outdoor activities, whether it be just letting off steam running around under the trees, building a den or exploring the further reaches on foot or by bike.

Visiting with your dog at Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest is a perfect place for walking your dog, with miles of paths to explore, trees to sniff and grass to roll about in.

Plan your winter visit to Hatfield Forest

Planning a visit to the forest? During late autumn, winter and early spring, car parking, cafe and shop opening hours are limited. The ground conditions are very poor, so we advise sticking to the hard surfaces where ever possible.

Hatfield Forest Golden Boots walk, Takeley, Essex

In May and June, the plains at Hatfield Forest turned into a sea of gold by over 300 million buttercups - an extra special time to enjoy this walk.

• Easy
• 1 hour 30 mins
• 3.4 miles (5.45km)

Six weeks of summer fun

Theree plenty happening in summer across Essex, Herts and Beds

Hatfield Forest tree walk Takeley Essex

On this gentle circular walk around the central area of Hatfield Forest look out for a variety of interesting trees that make it a site of great historical and ecological importance. Buggy-friendly, along board-walks and mostly hard surfaces.

• Easy
• 1 hour 30 mins
• 1.75 miles (2.8km)

Forest walk at Hatfield Forest, Takeley, Essex

Discover the sights that make the forest a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with wildlife and wildflowers to spot in summer.

• Easy
• 1 hour 30 mins
• 1.7 miles (2.7km)

Hatfield Forest Capability Brown Walk, Takeley, Essex

Discover some of the sites associated with the development of the central area of the forest as a pleasure ground in the 18th century, including the Capability Brown legacy.

• Easy
• 1 hour
• 1.9 miles (3.05km)

Hatfield Forest Flitch Way and Forest walk, Takeley, Essex

A circular family walk through the Forest and on the Flitch Way, where the ancient trees are like magnificent living sculptures, peaceful giants worn and fragile from centuries of seasons and use.

• Easy
• 2 hours 30 mins
• 3.5 miles (5.6km)

Hatfield Forest, Takeley to Wall Wood walk, Essex

No other forest on Earth evokes the atmosphere of a medieval hunting forest so completely. The ancient trees are like magnificent living sculptures, peaceful giants worn and fragile from centuries of seasons and use.

• Easy
• 4 hours 30 mins
• 9.5 miles (15.25km)

Hatfield Forest Winter Walk

Enjoy a walk along our winter trail, with a coffee stop half way round.