Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

Hatfield Forest tree walk

Ancient oak and hornbeam trees in autumn — The ancient trees of the forest | © National Trust / Stephen Robson

Discover ancient oaks, mighty cedars, and special saplings on this gentle circular stroll through Hatfield Forest. The forest is a site of historical and ecological importance and with good reason. It's home to trees of all kinds and ages. This family-friendly trail passes a 1000-year-old maple, a huge cedar that was planted in the 18th century, and an area of reseeded scrub, which is being restored in the vision of the famous landscape gardener Capability Brown.

Near to

Hatfield Forest

Start point

Hatfield Forest main entrance car park, Hatfield Forest Road, CM22 6NE. Grid ref: TL547202

Address
Hatfield Forest main entrance car park, Hatfield Forest Road, CM22 6NE
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Bishop's Stortford station is about 5 miles (8km) from the start of the trail.
Stansted Airport station is about 3.5 miles (5.6km) 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. This stop is about ½ mile (0.8km) from the start of the trail. You can enter the forest from the northern end, through Takeley Hill gate.
Arriva 508 service
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 about 1 miles (1.6km) the Hatfield Forest main entrance car park will be on your left.
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 Hatfield Forest main entrance car park, which is free for National Trust members. There's also Shell House car park near the lake, in Step 4.
Toilet
Toilets can be found near Shell House and the Discover Room area in Step 4.
Café
Our café can be found along the route by the lakeside. It has no indoor seating, but there are plenty of picnic tables in the lake area.
Picnic area
Picnic tables can be found by the lake area in Step 4.
This route is suitable for people using wheelchairs. It follows flat terrain on boarded or site roads.
Designated parking
There are designated accessible parking spaces in the main entrance car park and Shell House car park near the lake (Step 4).
Accessible toilet
An accessible toilet can be found in the lake area, in Step 4.
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: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Hatfield Forest main entrance car park, Hatfield Forest Road, CM22 6NE. Grid ref: TL547202
Stage 1
From the entrance car park, go through the gate and follow the access road into the forest.
Stage 2
Once you reach a field maple tree (C) on your right, take the left-hand turning and head along the signposted boardwalk.
Stage 3
Continue on the boardwalk as it bears left, heads through a gate and enters the shaded Gravel Pit coppice. You'll eventually come out beside Hatfield Forest Lake.
Coppiced hornbeam at Hatfield Forest | © National Trust
Stage 4
Follow the path across the end of the lake (dam) until you reach the Shell House and Discovery Room. Skirt around the buildings, go through the gate into the car park and immediately turn right onto the road.
A mighty oak
There's an area of coppiced alder growing along the dam (G) where the boardwalk finishes. Alder was traditionally used for making clogs. As you skirt around the buildings, look out for one of the largest oak trees in the forest (H), which is believed to be at least 450 years old. As you pass by the visitor hub and into the car park, you'll find a gnarled old apple tree on your right, just before the gate. This forest is the last mistletoe stronghold in east England and the apple tree hosts a lot of it.
Stage 5
Continue on the road from the car park, passing an area of newly restored parkland. The former scrub has been cleared away to open up expansive views towards the lake. Follow the track as it bears right - offering further glimpses of the lake - and right again until you come to a left-hand bend.
Capability Brown's parkland project
First you'll pass, on your left, an iconic Cedar tree. This was planted by the Houblon family in the 18th century. Then, the area on your right (J) is part of a project to restore the historic lakeside parkland according to Capability Brown's 1757 plan. Further along the road, you'll spot some young commemorative trees (K) planted across the plain and shortly afterwards there's a small 400-year-old hawthorn (L) near the entrance to Elgin Coppice. Hawthorns make up about 42 per cent of all pollards in the forest.
The Iconic Cedar in winter | © NT/Kimberley Goodall
Stage 6
Follow the track around to the left and soon after take the right-hand turn. Continue straight until you pass the boardwalk on your right and then retrace your steps back to the car park.
End point
Hatfield Forest main entrance car park, Hatfield Forest Road, CM22 6NE. Grid ref: TL547202
Trail map
Hatfield Forest tree walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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01279870678

hatfieldforest@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 6

Total stages: 6

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

End point

Trail map

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