Where will you visit next?
Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Enjoy a day out amongst an ancient forest or discover age-old traditions in a number of quaint, quiet villages in the counties of Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Places to visit
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Top places to visit in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Place
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate
Dunstable Downs is within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The highest point in Bedfordshire, from here you can enjoy views of a landscape that has been sculpted over time.
Place
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
This incredible tree cathedral, made from trees, shrubs and plants, was created after the First World War in the spirit of 'faith, hope and reconciliation'.
Place
Sharpenhoe
An ancient woodland and chalk escarpment, crowned with traces of an Iron Age hillfort.
Place
Hatfield Forest National Nature Reserve
Shaped by people over centuries and home to the rarest species of wildlife and oldest ancient trees, no other forest on earth evokes the atmosphere of a medieval hunting Forest so completely.
Place
Bourne Mill
A picturesque watermill with working waterwheel a short stroll from the centre of Colchester.
Place
Paycocke's House and Garden
Book a guided experience around this perfectly formed Tudor merchant's house whose walls have more than a few stories to tell.
Place
Grange Barn
One of Europe's oldest timber-framed buildings, Grange Barn stands as a lasting reminder of the once powerful Coggeshall Abbey.
Place
Ashridge Estate
Ashridge Estate is a 5,000 acre area of the Chiltern Hills, with ancient trees, rolling chalk downlands and lush meadows in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Place
Shaw's Corner
Join a guided tour of Shaw's Corner and learn more about its owner, playwright George Bernard Shaw, who lived here for 44 years.
Things to see and do
Summer days in Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
Top days out for families this summer
Enjoy a fun-filled family day out this summer across Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Take part in Summer of Play in the Sports Village at Dunstable Downs, or fly kite, ride a bike or tuck into a picnic the great outdoors. Take to the water and hire a rowing boat at Hatfield Forest or enjoy an evening of outdoor entertainment. Little ones in the family can explore the smaller spaces with garden trails and games at Shaw's Corner and Paycocke's Garden
Summer of Play
Ready for a fun-filled summer? Take part in Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank, and create memories with the whole family. However you choose to play, your adventure starts today.
Spotlight Events
The Wellbeing Season at Hatfield Forest
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Hatfield Forest with transformative experiences that restore balance and deepen your connection with nature including Breathwork, Yoga, Forest Bathing, Breathe & Journal and Creative Writing.
Outdoor Theatre at Shaw's Corner: Arms and the Man
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, 6pm With his home at the backdrop, Rumpus are proud to present an exciting new production of the Bernard Shaw play, Arms and the Man, for the playwright’s Birthday weekend!
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Kites Connect Festival: a celebration of culture and kites at Dunstable Downs
Join us on 2 and 3 August as we celebrate unity and access in our local community and rediscover the power of kites to connect us all.
The coast
Refresh the mind and blow away the cobwebs as you explore the Essex coast.
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Plan your visit to Northey Island
Plan your visit to Northey Island, and discover what you can see and do while you're there.
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Explore Copt Hall Marshes
Explore Copt Hall Marshes, a wildlife-rich working farm on the Blackwater Estuary, part of the extensive Essex coastline.
Walks in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Here are some of our top walks to enjoy this summer.
Trail
Dunstable Downs Five Knolls wildlife and heritage walk
An accessible, waymarked, out-and-back route highlighting the downs' history and the rich variety of birds, insects and plant life that you'll see up here.
Trail
Capability Brown walk at Hatfield Forest
Discover how the Houblon family turned Hatfield Forest into a Georgian pleasure ground with the help of the famous 18th-century landscaper Capability Brown on this circular trail around the lake.
Trail
Danbury Common to Lingwood Common walk
An easy, 1.5 mile walk through wetlands, wooded glades and open heathland, that makes an ideal family walk.
Latest news and projects
News
Major project underway to plant 15,000 trees at Dunstable Downs
An ambitious project at the National Trust’s Dunstable Downs is underway to plant 15,000 trees, creating 11.5 hectares (27 acres) of new wood pasture and woodland.
Press release
‘Crumbling cloisters’ at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral World War I memorial restored for people and nature
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral in Bedfordshire, one of only three tree cathedrals in the UK, is undergoing vital conservation works to restore its natural, architectural beauty for people and nature after being devasted by ash dieback over the past five years.
Project
Project
Ashridge Estate - Protecting Our Roots
We are looking at making changes to the infrastructure across the estate to help manage the careful balance of increased visitor numbers with the impact on nature. Read about the 'Protecting Our Roots' project and find out more about our vision for the future of Ashridge Estate.
Project
Project
Bridgewater Monument conservation works at Ashridge Estate
The Bridgewater Monument at the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate is to be steam cleaned for the first time in its history as part of major conservation work taking place this summer.
Press release
Remote Essex island ‘lets the sea in’ to create new saltmarsh in fight against climate change
Major works to create and retain swathes of new saltmarsh habitat on a remote Essex island have reached a major milestone, providing a lifeline for the land and its wildlife in a changing climate and in light of rising sea levels.
Press release
Numbers of protected birds soar to new record after overhead power lines are removed on remote Essex island
National Trust rangers at Northey Island in Essex, with support from volunteers, have recorded record numbers of two protected bird species following the re-routing of the island’s power infrastructure.
Press release
National Trust's largest ancient woodland set to be restored on a scale rarely seen
A major restoration project is underway at the National Trust’s largest ancient woodland, Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, to improve the site’s prospects for wildlife and protect its diverse habitats, which are home to many species that are endangered or in decline.
Project
Project
Coastal adaptation project at Northey Island
Learn about the major conservation work we’re carrying out at Northey Island in partnership with the RSPB to restore and retain vital saltmarsh habitat in the Blackwater Estuary.
Get involved
Volunteering in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Making new friends, working in amazing places, and knowing that you're helping a cause you care about – just three great reasons to volunteer with the National Trust in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
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Supporter groups in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
There are a number of supporter groups in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Find out more about what they do and how you can join one near you.
Travelling to National Trust places without a car
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Sustainable travel in Essex, Beds and Herts
There are a number of sustainable options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, whether you’re looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot. Here’s a little more information that can help you plan your visit.
Upcoming events
Event
Yoga
Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, EssexStart your day off with yoga in the peaceful surroundings of the Lake Area.
Event
Walk with Us
Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, EssexJoin us for an hour long, gentle walk around the enchanting Hatfield Forest. Running on alternate Wednesdays and Fridays, everyone is welcome on our walks for wellness.
Event
Summer of Play
Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, EssexAre you ready for a day that has plenty of fun? Discover action-packed activities and outdoor adventures this summer at Hatfield Forest.
Event
Quiet Mornings
Paycocke's House and Garden, Colchester, EssexJoin us for a calmer and more relaxed visit to Paycocke’s. These sessions are designed for anyone who would benefit from a quieter environment, including neurodivergent visitors.
Event
1920s Weekend
Paycocke's House and Garden, Colchester, EssexJoin the Companye of Merrie Folke as they turn the clock back to 1925 and celebrate the roaring 20s at Paycocke's.
Event
Forest Bathing
Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, EssexShinrin Yoku, or Forest Bathing, is the Japanese practice of spending time in a woodland environment to improve health and wellbeing through gentle activities that reawaken the senses and our connection to nature.
Event
Garden Trail: Shaw's Scrumptious Veg
Shaw's Corner, near Welwyn, HertfordshireBernard Shaw loved his vegetable patch, especially when it was made into rhubarb pie! This summer, help our housekeeper and gardener look after our imaginary patch on this interactive garden trail.
Event
Breathe & Journal
Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, EssexPerfect for anyone that wants to work on their mind, body and soul by layering up healing modalities. We will combine breathwork and journaling to relax, release and restore.
Explore an area nearby