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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

Bike rider in autumn at Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Bedfordshire
Place
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.

Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Fully open today
Autumn colour at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Place
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'.

Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Fully open today
Tree roots and leaves in autumn at Sharpenhoe Clappers, Bedfordshire
Place
Place

Sharpenhoe 

An ancient woodland and chalk escarpment, crowned with traces of an Iron Age hillfort.

Streatley, Bedfordshire

Fully open today
Trees in autumn at Hatfield Forest, Essex
Place
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.

Bishop's Stortford, Essex

Partially open today
Bourne Mill looking over Bourne Pong
Place
Place

Bourne Mill 

A picturesque watermill with working waterwheel a short stroll from the centre of Colchester.

Colchester, Essex

Closed now
A close view of the windows and the plasterwork on the exterior of Paycocke's House, Colchester, Essex
Place
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.

Colchester, Essex

Closed now
The exterior of Grange Barn in sunshine, Essex
Place
Place

Grange Barn 

One of Europe's oldest timber-framed buildings, Grange Barn stands as a lasting reminder of the once powerful Coggeshall Abbey.

Colchester, Essex

Closed now
Danbury Commons, Essex, in autumn
Place
Place

Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood 

Explore Essex's second largest area of common land.

Danbury, Essex

Fully open today
View looking north west from the Golden Valley. Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
Place
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.

Near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire

Fully open today
Visitors in the garden at Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire
Place
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.

near Welwyn, Hertfordshire

Closed now
A view over the saltmarsh at Northey Island, Essex
Place
Place

Northey Island 

The closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex

Maldon, Essex

Closed now

Countdown to Christmas

Night time shot of the Chiltern's Gateway Centre and Courtyard at Dunstable Downs. The Centre is lit up by fairylights.
Article
Article

Christmas at Dunstable Downs 

Get ready to unwrap the magic of Christmas at Dunstable Downs! With a festive family trail, breakfast with the elves, wreath making workshops, festive evenings of music, creativity and late-night shopping there's lots of the whole family to enjoy this Christmas at Dunstable Downs.

Escape into autumn with a walk in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

Here are some of our top walks to enjoy this autumn.

Autumn colour at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Trail
Trail

Whipsnade and Dunstable Downs walk 

This circular trail takes you through the autumnal kaleidoscope of Whipsnade Tree Cathedral through Dunstable Downs and across Whipsnade Heath and back to the visitor centre with breathtaking views across the landscape. Suitable for more energetic walkers.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4.5 (km: 7.2)
Trees in autumn at Hatfield Forest, Essex
Trail
Trail

Hatfield Forest walk 

An easy 1.7-mile circular walk through the ancient woodlands at Hatfield Forest, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.7 (km: 2.72)
A close view of the windows and the plasterwork on the exterior of Paycocke's House, Colchester, Essex
Trail
Trail

Paycocke's Tudor Coggeshall walk 

Get a fascinating insight into Tudor life on this circular walk through Coggeshall from Paycocke's House.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)
A path snaking through woodland at sunset with orange light dappling through the branches
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)

The coast

Refresh the mind and blow away the cobwebs as you explore the Essex coast.

A view along the coastline of Northey Island, Essex
Article
Article

Plan your visit to Northey Island 

Plan your visit to Northey Island, and discover what you can see and do while you're there.

Woman with a dog at Copt Hall Marshes, Essex
Article
Article

Explore Copt Hall Marshes 

Explore Copt Hall Marshes, a wildlife-rich working farm on the Blackwater Estuary, part of the extensive Essex coastline.

Latest news and projects

Autumn colour at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Press release
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.

A yellow digger stands behind a grey wooden fence which separates it from a newly created pond in the foreground
Press release
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.

A flock of dark-bellied brent geese on Northey Island, Essex
Press release
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.

Protective track mats in midst of trees in ancient woodland at Ashridge Estate
Press release
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

Volunteer ranger hedgelaying at Kingston Lacy, Dorset

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.

Visitors on a guided nature walk at Sharpenhoe Clappers, Sharpenhoe, Bedfordshire
Article
Article

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

Family on a bike ride in autumnal woods, looking at a map
Article
Article

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

Family trail: Chaos at Christmas 

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

For Christmas to go ahead, the elves must find their missing baubles!

Event summary

on
6 Dec to 31 Dec 2024
at
10:00 to 15:00
+ 23 other dates or times
Event

Festive Lunch 

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Enjoy a family-friendly, festive lunch with a view at the Chiltern Gateway Centre.

Event summary

on
6 Dec to 20 Dec 2024
at
12:00 to 13:00
+ 54 other dates or times
Event

Festive Evenings at Dunstable Downs 

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Festive magic under the stars - a cosy evening awaits this December at Dunstable Downs!

Event summary

on
6 Dec to 20 Dec 2024
at
17:00 to 19:00
+ 2 other dates or times
Event

Breakfast with the Elves 

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Another magical Christmas season awaits as the elves return for breakfast at the View Café!

Event summary

on
7 Dec to 23 Dec 2024
at
09:00 to 10:00
+ 26 other dates or times
Event

Breathwork in the Forest 

Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, Essex

A relaxing breathwork class, designed to calm the nervous system, clear tension from within and provide space to connect back to the mind, body and soul.

Event summary

on
8 Dec 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
at
09:15 to 10:15
+ 1 other date or time
Event

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens SOLD OUT 

Paycocke's House and Garden, Colchester, Essex

Anthony Roberts' traditional and atmospheric telling of the Christmas classic.

Event summary

on
9 Dec to 10 Dec 2024
at
15:00 to 16:45
+ 3 other dates or times
Event

Festive wreath-making workshop 

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Looking for a magical way to kick off the festive season? Join Maples Flowers for a fun and family-friendly evening of wreath-making with a winter’s night-time view!

Event summary

on
10 Dec 2024
at
18:00 to 20:30
Event

Historic Buildings Mythbusting - a talk by Dr James Wright SOLD OUT 

Paycocke's House and Garden, Colchester, Essex

Uncovering Folklore, History and Archaeology. Any ancient building tells exciting, and romantic stories, commonly believed and widely repeated – but are they really true?

Event summary

on
11 Dec 2024
at
15:00 to 16:30
+ 1 other date or time
Two visitors laughing at each other whilst admiring the Dining Room at Christmas at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.