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Hatfield Forest is a rare example of a medieval hunting forest. There are distant echoes of the way man and the Wildwood, which once covered the whole of Britain, came to work together. The forest has many examples of ancient forestry practices. The forest has coppice woods, and pollards, where trees are cut back and then allowed to grow giving long straight branches which were used to produce poles or material for fencing and woodland crafts. The woods also contain timber trees, scrub, grassland, and fen. Deer and cattle graze amongst the trees. There is also a rabbit warren and a seventeenth century lodge.
An education centre caters for school groups.
Hatfield Forest is owned by the National Trust, which runs a programme of events.
Opening Times: Hatfield Forest is open all year from dawn to dusk.
Refreshments are available at times. Please use contact details below.
Address: Hatfield Forest, Takeley, near Bishop's Stortford, Essex CM22 6NE
Directions: Hatfield Forest can be found at Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. It is signposted off the B1256 at Takeley, east of Bishop's Stortford. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Hatfield Forest.
Access: There are adapted toilet facilities, and a map of an accessible route. A powered chair can be booked in advance. Paths outside the lake area can be muddy. Pushchairs are admitted, and there are baby changing and feeding facilities. Dogs are admitted on leads
Contact:
telephone: 01279 874040 or 01279 870678
e-mail: hatfieldforest@nationaltrust.org.uk
web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk