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Wildlife reserves · East of England

Astonbury Wood

In or near Knebworth.

Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife TrustFree admission♿ Wheelchair: limited🐾 Dog-friendly👪 Family-friendly4.7 · 6 Google reviews

Astonbury Wood — nature reserve in Hertfordshire, England.

Hooks Cross (5699017976)

Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
2 h–4 h
Best time of year
Autumn & winter (migration & wildfowl)
Nearest railway station
Watton-at-Stone · 2.8 km
  • Free entry
  • Family-friendly
  • Dog-friendly
  • Limited wheelchair access
Visit on hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

About

Astonbury Wood is a wildlife reserve in the United Kingdom. Managed by Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Wikidata describes it as: "nature reserve in Hertfordshire, England". Coordinates: 51.8747°, -0.1478°.

Photo gallery

Official information

Astonbury Wood is an ancient woodland rich in biodiversity, featuring a variety of wildlife including songbirds, butterflies, and rare fungi. Visitors can explore walking trails amidst a landscape adorned with bluebells and other seasonal flora.

From the Wikipedia article

Astonbury Wood is a nature reserve of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. It is an ancient woodland, near Stevenage in Hertfordshire, England.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

The 125-year lease of the wood, put up for sale by Hertfordshire County Council in 2020, was purchased after money was raised by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, and plans to protect the wood were begun in March 2023. Initial plans included a safety survey of trees and paths, ecological surveys, management planning to establish priorities, and planning signage and trails on the site. The wood, area 54 ha, was in existence by 1600, so is classed as ancient woodland; such woods are much rarer than they once were. Because of the flora and fauna which has developed over this time, the site is designated a Local Wildlife Site. The trees are mostly oak and hornbeam, and spring flowers include…

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
51.8747, -0.1478
County
Hertfordshire
Parish
Aston
Postcode
SG2 7EH
Parliamentary constituency
Stevenage
Nearest railway station
Watton-at-Stone2.8 km
Opening
Open at all times

Sources

Other places nearby

Nearby

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Elizabeth II postbox on Pembridge Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 4934043📷 5

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Chequers Inn

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Harwood Park Crematorium. - geograph.org.uk - 83643📷 5

Cemeteries · East of England

Harwood Park Crematorium

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St Mary's Church, Aston - geograph.org.uk - 101108📷 5

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Where to eat & stay near Astonbury Wood

Places to stay

Northern air shaft above Welwyn North tunnel - geograph.org.uk - 2053403📷 2

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Harmergreen Scout Camp Site

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Cromwell Hotel carpark - geograph.org.uk - 5517692📷 5

Hotels · East of England

The Cromwell

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Ardeley , Church of St Lawrence - geograph.org.uk - 8276157📷 5

Campsites · East of England

Pits Wood

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Campsites · East of England

Beard's Oak Wood

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Hotels · East of England

Redcoats Farmhouse Hotel

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Hotels · East of England

Hanbury Manor

Hanbury Manor — a hotel in england london.

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Places to eat & drink

Elizabeth II postbox on Pembridge Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 4934043📷 5

Historic pubs · East of England

Chequers Inn

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The Pig and Whistle pub, Aston - geograph.org.uk - 4275601📷 5

Historic pubs · East of England

The Pig And Whistle Public House

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Close up, Elizabeth II postbox, Datchworth Post Office - geograph.org.uk - 4934032📷 5

Restaurants · East of England

The Tilbury

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Sign for the Horns, Bull's Green - geograph.org.uk - 4932194📷 5

Historic pubs · East of England

The Horns Public House

The Horns Public House in England East, United Kingdom.

Access to platform 5 - Stevenage - geograph.org.uk - 7559263📷 5

Restaurants · East of England

Nando's

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The White Lion Public House (On Corner Of Winters Lane)

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Astonbury Wood?
Astonbury Wood is in Hertfordshire, London, United Kingdom (postcode SG2 7EH), in the parish of Aston.
What is Astonbury Wood?
Astonbury Wood — nature reserve in Hertfordshire, England.
How do I get to Astonbury Wood?
The nearest railway station is Watton-at-Stone, about 2.8 km away. Drivers can use postcode SG2 7EH.
Who owns Astonbury Wood?
Astonbury Wood is owned by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and operated by Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Is Astonbury Wood free to visit?
Yes, Astonbury Wood is free to enter.
How do I get to Astonbury Wood?
The nearest railway station is Watton-at-Stone, about 2.8 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode SG2 7EH.
Are dogs allowed at Astonbury Wood?
Most wildlife reserves allow dogs on lead only, with restrictions during ground-nesting bird season (March-July). Check signage at the reserve.