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.

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Sheep grazing at Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire

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.

The Easter Chapel at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, Bedfordshire in spring

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'.

The woodland during summer at Sharpenhoe Clappers, Sharpenhoe, Bedfordshire

Place

Sharpenhoe

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

the image shows a lone cyclist riding amongst the buttercups on Takeley Hill

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.

A view of the exterior of Paycocke's House in Colchester in Essex

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.

The exterior of Grange Barn in sunshine, Essex

Place

Grange Barn

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

Couple walking with their dog on Danbury Common, Essex

Place

Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood

Explore Essex's second largest area of common land.

Visitors exploring the chalk downland at Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire

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.

Visitors in the garden at Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire

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.

View of the causeway across the Blackwater Estuary to Northey Island, Maldon, Essex, at low tide.

Place

Northey Island

The closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex

Pictures, books and other objects above the mantelpiece in the study at Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire

Places to eat

Get walking this summer on some of these top picks.

Woman and two children walking along path with tall grass and hills to either side

Trail

Dunstable Downs countryside walk

Follow this circular route through Dunstable Downs, discovering diverse wildlife, ancient tracks and burial mounds. Visit the Icknield Way and the ramparts of Maiden Bower, a Neolithic hillfort.

Trees in autumn at Hatfield Forest, Essex

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.

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

Trail

Paycocke's Tudor Coggeshall walk

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

A path snaking through woodland at sunset with orange light dappling through the branches

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.

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

A view along the coastline of Northey Island, Essex

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

Explore Copt Hall Marshes

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

See all events

Event

Fantastic Mask Making

Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, Essex

Together we will transform into magical beings of the woods.

Event

Mother Earth Forest Parade

Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, Essex

As part of Hatfield 100, we’re hosting a day of fun, frolics, folklore and fantasy. Activities will be running all day, or feel free to just join for the parade.

Event

Heritage Open Day

Willington Dovecote and Stables, near Bedford, Bedfordshire

Come see inside the Dovecote & Stables which hosted a Henry VIII visit in the 1540s. The Dovecote appears on the front cover of the book "60 Remarkable Buildings of the National Trust".

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

Gentle Stroll: Escape into Autumn

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Make the most of nature's most colourful season with our guided gentle stroll to Whipsnade Tree Cathedral.

Event

Market at the Barn

Grange Barn, Colchester, Essex

A celebration of locally produced food, drink and crafts, in one of Europe’s oldest and largest timber-framed buildings.

Event

Autumn Craft Fair

Bourne Mill, Colchester, Essex

Unusual and unique gifts created by local artists and crafters organised by the Bourne Valley Crafters.

Event

Forest Bathing

Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, Essex

Shinrin 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.

Explore an area nearby

Visitors exploring the sand dunes and the woodland at Formby, Liverpool

Where will you visit next?

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

Plan a visit