10 THINGS TO DO NEAR HERTFORD for Nature Lovers

2026 guide

If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Hertford and the surrounding Hertfordshire countryside offer a wealth of opportunities to reconnect with nature. From ancient woodlands, chalk streams and wildlife-rich reserves to outdoor adventures and hands-on bushcraft experiences, there's something for everyone who loves spending time outdoors.

Whether you're a keen walker, wildlife enthusiast, photographer, camper, or simply someone who enjoys fresh air and beautiful scenery, here are ten of the best things to do near Hertford for nature lovers.

1. Learn Bushcraft and Survival Skills in the Hertfordshire Countryside

For those looking to do more than simply observe nature, a bushcraft course offers the chance to reconnect and immerse yourself in it.

At Polaris Bushcraft, just a short distance from Hertford, visitors can learn practical outdoor skills including fire lighting, shelter building, navigation, campfire cooking, bushcraft knife skills, and natural resource identification. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced outdoor enthusiast, bushcraft helps you develop a deeper connection with the natural world while learning valuable life skills.

Bushcraft experiences are available for adults, families, and corporate groups throughout the year.

Why Nature Lovers Enjoy It:

• Hands-on woodland experiences

• Learn traditional outdoor skills used for generations

• Build confidence in nature

• Suitable for beginners and experienced adventurers

2. Explore Panshanger Park

Located just a few miles from Hertford, Panshanger Park is one of Hertfordshire's most beautiful nature

reserves. Covering over 1,000 acres, the park features riverside walks, wildflower meadows, ancient trees, and abundant wildlife.

Keep an eye out for kingfishers, herons, deer, and a variety of bird species throughout the year.

Highlights:

• Scenic walking, running, cycling and horse riding routes

• River Mimram rare chalk stream

• Excellent wildlife spotting opportunities

• Ancient tree and dragonfly trails

3. Walk the Lee Valley Regional Park

Stretching across Hertfordshire, Essex, and London, the Lee Valley Regional Park offers miles of walking and cycling trails through wetlands, woodlands, and open countryside.

Nature lovers can enjoy peaceful waterside walks while spotting birds, dragonflies, and other wildlife along the route.

Highlights:

• Extensive walking and cycling routes

• Wildlife observation points

• Explore waterways with a rented day boat, pedalo, or electric craft from the Lee Valley Boat Centre in Broxbourne.

• Beautiful riverside scenery

4. Discover Hertford Heath Nature Reserve

Hertford Heath is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and offers a wonderful mix of heathland, woodland, and ponds.

The area is particularly attractive during spring and summer when wildflowers bloom across the heath.

Highlights:

• Rare heathland habitat

• Ancient woodland

• Wildlife photography opportunities

• Quiet walking trails

5. Visit Amwell Nature Reserve

One of the best birdwatching locations in Hertfordshire, Amwell Nature Reserve attracts wildlife enthusiasts from across the region.

The reserve's lakes and wetlands support a wide variety of bird species throughout the year, making it an ideal destination for nature photographers and birdwatchers.

Highlights:

• Bird hides and viewing platforms

• Wetland habitats

• Family-friendly walks

• Excellent photography opportunities

6. Take a Woodland Walk in Broxbourne Woods

Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve is one of the largest ancient woodland complexes in

southeast England.

The woodland is particularly stunning during spring when bluebells carpet the forest floor but take care not to step on any and keep to paths.

Highlights:

• Ancient woodland

• Bluebell displays in spring

• Waymarked walking trails

• Diverse wildlife

7. Go Wild Swimming

For those who enjoy being close to water, Hertford offers several opportunities for open wild swimming.

The Rivers Beane and Lea merge at The Beach in Bengeo, and the River Beane meanders through Hartham Common in Hertford itself where swimmers can access the water from the park and at Hartham Weir.

Exploring local waterways from the water provides a completely different perspective on Hertfordshire's natural landscapes or you can follow the towpath from Hertford to head into central London.

Open water swimming requires careful consideration in order to be prepared and stay safe, particularly around weirs, please check local and open water swimming safety advice here.

Highlights:

• Free active outdoor recreation

• Scenic water routes

• Great summer activity

8. Experience Nature Photography Around Hertford

The combination of rivers, woodlands, meadows, and wildlife makes the Hertford area a fantastic destination for amateur and professional photographers.

Early mornings and late afternoons offer particularly beautiful light for landscape photography and for spotting local wildlife.

Top Subjects:

• Deer (resident Muntjac and Fallow)

• Woodland scenes

• Wildflowers

• Birds and river landscapes

9. Try Foraging with an Expert Guide

Learning to identify edible plants, mushrooms, and natural resources can completely change the way you experience the countryside.

A guided foraging walk introduces participants to seasonal wild foods while promoting responsible and sustainable harvesting practices.

Highlights:

• Learn plant identification

• Discover edible and useful medicinal species

• Understand woodland ecosystems

• Develop confidence outdoors and reconnect with nature

10. Spend a Night Under the Stars

Few experiences help you reconnect with nature quite like sleeping outdoors.

By immersing yourself in natural light-dark cycles and eliminating artificial indoor lighting, sleeping outdoors is one of the fastest ways to reset your natural biological clock (circadian rhythm).

Whether camping at a local campsite or taking part in a bushcraft overnight experience, spending a night in the countryside allows you to slow down, enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, helping you fall asleep earlier and wake up feeling refreshed. If you're staying at our camp you may also see our nocturnal resident badgers.

Highlights:

• Reset your natural circadian rhythm

• Stargazing opportunities

• Greater appreciation for nature

Why Hertford is Perfect for Nature Lovers

One of Hertford's greatest strengths is its location. Surrounded by woodland, rivers, nature reserves, and open countryside, it offers easy access to some of the best outdoor spaces in Hertfordshire while remaining within easy reach of Central London.

Whether you're looking for a peaceful woodland walk, a wildlife photography adventure, or a hands-on bushcraft experience, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy nature in and around Hertford.

Looking for a More Immersive Outdoor Experience?

If you're ready to go beyond simply exploring nature and want to learn how to thrive in it, Polaris Bushcraft offers a range of bushcraft and survival courses from Bayford, near Hertford.

From fire lighting and shelter building to wilderness cooking and survival skills, our courses provide practical outdoor knowledge in a friendly and supportive environment.

Browse our upcoming bushcraft courses and discover a new way to experience the natural world.