Activities at Hatfield Forest

A family playing outside in the woods in autumn
Activity feature
Cycling, Walking

Fun for Families at Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest, Essex

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.

Couple walking a dog on woodland path
Activity feature
Dog walking

Visiting with your dog at Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest, Essex

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.

A group of three horse riders at Eight Wantz ways
Activity feature
Boating, Cycling, Fishing, Geocaching, Horse riding, Running, Walking

Activities for all at Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest, Essex

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

Tree growing in open parkland in May at Hatfield Forest
Walking trail

Forest Walk at Hatfield Forest, Takeley, Essex

Hatfield Forest, Essex

Discover the sights that make Hatfield Forest a national nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with wildlife and wildflowers to spot along the way.

  • Easy
  • 1 hour 30 mins
  • 1.7 miles (2.7km)
Ancient oak and hornbeam trees in autumn
Walking trail

Hatfield Forest Tree Walk Takeley Essex

Hatfield Forest, 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)
A gate across a track in Hatfield Forest, with autumn mist
Walking trail

Hatfield Forest, Takeley to Wall Wood walk, Essex

Hatfield Forest, 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)
A fine misty day in autumn in the Forest
Walking trail

Hatfield Forest Flitch Way and forest walk, Takeley, Essex

Hatfield Forest, Essex

Enjoy a circular walk through Hatfield Forest and along 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)
The board walk in Elgin Coppice flooded with winter sunshine
Activity feature
Dog walking, Walking

Plan your winter visit to Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest, Essex

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.

A view of Hatfield London Road in May together with buttercups
Walking trail

Hatfield Forest Golden Boots walk, Takeley, Essex

Hatfield Forest, 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)
Long bow archery
Activity feature
Archery, Running

Six weeks of summer fun

Hatfield Forest, Essex

Theree plenty happening in summer across Essex, Herts and Beds

Lillies on the Decoy Lake, with Capability Brown inset
Walking trail

Hatfield Forest Capability Brown Walk, Takeley, Essex

Hatfield Forest, 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)
A track disappearing through the trees at Hatfield Forest in autumn
Activity feature
Walking

Hatfield Forest Winter Walk

Hatfield Forest, Essex

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