Hatfield Forest buttercup walk
The plains at Hatfield Forest can be walked at any time of the year but, if you visit in May or June, you'll see them carpeted with over 300 million buttercups. This walking trail takes you through the best places to see the buttercups; there are so many, your boots will turn golden yellow!
Near to
Hatfield ForestStart point
Shell House car park, grid ref: TL547203Trail information
*Mostly level ground and often muddy paths. Please see Terrain section for further details.
**Mostly level ground on estate roads, a board walk and grassy paths and tracks. These can become very muddy after wet weather. Steps 3 and 4 involve a short section of downhill and then uphill.
***Dogs on leads welcome. Please see Facilities section for further details.
Plan Ahead
The trails in the Forest can become very muddy during late autumn and winter, so this walk is best enjoyed from April to October. In addition, we may have to close some parts of the route (even in summer) to allow the ground to recover. If so, we'll offer an alternative route.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Shell House car park, grid ref: TL547203
Stage 1
Start at the gate to the lakeside area car park, walk to the far left-hand corner and take the path just past a wooden bench. Follow this path until reaching an open ride with coppice on either side. There is a metal fence on your left. Keep walking uphill until you reach the end of the ride and the main plain. Turn right here and walk straight in a northerly direction.
Stage 2
Continue heading north along the main plain, passing a chestnut paling fence on your left. Cross over the gravel track (which leads to Forest Lodge, a private residence).
Stage 3
Pass a clump of dead horse chestnuts on your right. From here you can see Warren Cottage (House), another private residence. Follow the gravel track from Warren Cottage and you will shortly reach the main estate road. Turn left along this road and go downhill until you reach the stream with a culvert, which goes under the road. Watch out for traffic in both directions on the estate road.
Stage 4
Walk uphill on the grass beside the road, until you reach the point where the road bears to the right. Do not follow the road but, keeping to the grass, walk straight ahead to a wide ride, known as Halfway Ride, in front of you.
Stage 5
Continue along Halfway Ride for about ½mile (800m) to the end, (this may be muddy), and turn immediately right through the gate. You are now on Takeley Hill.
Stage 6
Keep the tree line to your right and keep an eye out for grazing animals. Walk straight ahead (south) following the distinct marked path in the grass until reaching the estate exit road. Cross over the road and continue in the same direction until reaching the estate entrance road.
Stage 7
Cross the road and look for the boardwalk in front of you. Follow the boardwalk for 220yd (200m) and go through the gate to enter the woodland.
Stage 8
Follow the boardwalk to the end (be careful after wet weather as it can become slippery). Continue along the dam, keeping the lake on your right, until reaching Shell House and the Forest Café for a well-deserved cup of tea and perhaps a slice of cake.
Some of the shells came from the West Indies | © National Trust / Chris Connell End point
Shell House car park, grid ref: TL547203
Trail map
Hatfield Forest buttercups walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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