Activities at Hatfield Forest

Wall wood information plate
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)
Couple walking a dog on woodland path
Activity feature
Dog walking

Doggy do's and don'ts 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.

Runners on Takeley Hill covered in buttercups
Running feature

Summer of Sport

Hatfield Forest, Essex

Join one of our special summer runs, games or other activities, and share our love and knowledge of the forest.

Visitors in a rowing boat
Walking feature

Activities for all at Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest, Essex

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

Family group climbing on tree trunk
Geocaching feature

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.

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

Hatfield Forest Capability Brown Trail, 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 gate across a track in Hatfield Forest, with autumn mist
Walking trail

Hatfield Forest Flitch Way and Forest walk, Takeley, Essex

Hatfield Forest, 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)
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)
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)