Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

Capability Brown walk at Hatfield Forest

The view across the lake at Hatfield Forest, Essex with some grass in the foreground and Shell House in the distance — Hatfield Forest Lake in Essex | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

This circular trail explores the Georgian highlights of Hatfield Forest and the influences of the renowned landscape architect Capability Brown had on it. The forest was acquired in 1729 by the Houblon family. They immediately set about turning the medieval forest into their own 'pleasure ground', easily reachable from their main residence at nearby Hallingbury Place. Their first move was to create the lake and Shell House. Then, in 1757, Brown provided a plan for the Houblon's forest and lake, which was partially implemented.

Near to

Hatfield Forest

Start point

Shell House car park, Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 6NH. Grid ref: TL539197

A summer walk

This is a route best enjoyed from April to October. Parts of the trail can be very muddy during the winter months.

Address
Shell House car park, Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 6NH
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Bishop's Stortford station is about 6 miles (9.7km) from the start of the trail.
Stansted Airport station is about 5 miles (8km) from the start of the trail.
By bus
From Stansted Airport: The Arriva service 508 runs from Stansted Airport to Harlow via the stop Takeley Street The Green Man. You can enter the forest from the northern end, through Takeley Hill gate.
Arriva service 508
By road
From Chelmsford: Head west out of Chelmsford on Roxwell Road (A1060) and after about 12 miles (19km) turn right following the sign for Hatfield Broad Oak. At Hatfield Broad Oak, head north on Broad Street (B183) and then left at Greenhill, following signs to Hatfield Forest. Stay right at the junction to head north on Hatfield Forest Road. After just over 1 mile (1.6km), turn left onto a gravel track and follow this through the woodland and all the way around to reach Shell House car park.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Keep them on leads near livestock, around the lake, and wherever signed.
Car park
The trail starts and ends at Shell House car park, which is free for National Trust members.
Toilet
Toilets can be found near Shell House and the Discover Room area, where the trail starts and ends.
Café
Our café can be found near Shell House and the Discover Room area, where the trail starts and ends. It has no indoor seating, but there are plenty of picnic tables in the lake area.
Picnic area
Picnic tables can be found near Shell House and the Discover Room area, where the trail starts and ends.
This route isn't suitable for people using wheelchairs. It follows paths along grassy plains and woodland paths, with tree roots, mud and gates to navigate.
Designated parking
There are designated accessible parking spaces in the main entrance car park and Shell House car park, where the trail starts and ends.
Accessible toilet
An accessible toilet can be found in the lake area, where the trail starts and ends.
Seating available
Some of the picnic tables have wheelchair accessibility.
Wheelchairs available
Wheelchairs are available to use. Please contact the team in advance to reserve one - hatfieldforest@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Powered mobility vehicle
A powered mobility vehicle is available to use on request. Please contact the team in advance to reserve it - hatfieldforest@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Shell House car park, Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 6NH. Grid ref: TL539197
Stage 1
From the car park head towards the lake so you're stood in front of the café. Now, turn right, keeping the lake on your left.
Capability Brown's signature tree
The scrub area at the start is part of a project to restore the lakeside parkland as planned by Capability Brown. Also, look along the shore to your left and you'll see a London plane tree and almost directly opposite there's a clump of Scots pines. Landscape designers used non-native trees to add variety to the tree-scape. While this London plane dates from the mid-19th century, London planes were a particular favourite of Brown.
Stage 2
Follow the path around to the left and across the dam along the edge of the lake towards the woods.
Shell House
The Shell House was built in the 1740s as a picnic shelter for those enjoying the forest. Its name comes from its shell decorations, which were designed by Laetetia Houblon, the 17-year-old daughter of the owner Jacob Houblon III. Can you see the peacock above the entrance door and sun ray motifs on either side? The wings on either side of the central building were added in the 20th century.
Stage 3
Head into the wooded area along the boardwalk. After about 55yd (50m) take the left-hand path towards the jetty and then turn right to head along a trail through the trees a little way in from the lakeside. The trail emerges into a small open space with the clump of Scots pines on the right. Keep walking until you reach the road.
The Lake
Hatfield Forest Lake was created at the same time as the Shell House, in the 1740s. By building a dam across Shermore Brooke, Jacob Houblon III flooded an area of marshy ground here. The original lake covered about 7 acres (18,000 sq/m) and was well-stocked with fish. Houblon was following the fashion of the time for creating a 'pleasure ground', away from the family's main house at Hallingbury Place.
Stage 4
Cross the road at the bridge and follow the grass track across the hill, rising gently to the right and passing between two small clumps of trees. Keep heading south-west, past a water trough, and then follow an unmade road, passing a plantation of mature horse chestnut trees on your left. Then turn left into Cedar Ride and continue towards the lone cedar dominating the skyline at the end.
The soft eastern shoreline
In the 1700's, the area that is now Hatfield Forest was owned by two families, the Houblons of Hallingbury Place and the Barringtons of Barrington Hall. The Shermore Brooke formed the border between the Houblon land to the west and the Barrington land to the east. Jacob Houblon created the lake in the 1740's , by daming the Shermore Brook, and must have had an agreement with the Barringtons to do so. It seems however, that within ten years, the two families had fallen out, so that when, in 1757, Capability Brown came to draw up a plan to "improve" the lake, he proposed extensive modifications to the Houblon west bank, in front of the Shell House, softening the original straight lines, but left the Barrington east bank, in front of the gravel pits, unchanged.
Stage 5
Continue towards the cedar and then walk across the grassy area to the estate road. Turn right and head along the road towards the car park and then diagonally across to a small metal gate on the far side.
Stage 6
Go through the metal gate and follow the path through the trees, emerging by a wooden bench with the Decoy Lake to your left. Follow the path back into the trees, across a trickle of water, and then take a left at the fork.
Stage 7
The path now heads towards the main lake, passing by two yew trees. On reaching the main lakeside area, walk back the car park and the end of the trail.
End point
Shell House car park, Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 6NH. Grid ref: TL539197
Trail map
Capability Brown Trail | © Chris Connell / National Trust
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01279870678

hatfieldforest@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

A summer walk

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 7

Total stages: 7

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Point of interest

Stage 7

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

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