Wildlife reserves · East of England
Astonbury Wood
In or near Knebworth.
Astonbury Wood — nature reserve in Hertfordshire, England.

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
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
- District
- East Hertfordshire
- Parish
- Aston
- Postcode
- SG2 7EH
- Parliamentary constituency
- Stevenage
- Nearest railway station
- Watton-at-Stone — 2.8 km
- Opening
- Open at all times
- Official site
- www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q125546856 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Astonbury Wood (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Aston Bury
Stately homes · 0.5 km

Chequers Inn
Historic pubs · 0.7 km

Harwood Park Crematorium
Cemeteries · 1.4 km

War Memorial on St Mary's Churchyard (70 Metres to East of Church)
Memorials & monuments · 1.5 km

The Pig And Whistle Public House
Historic pubs · 1.6 km
Ridlins Mire
Forests & woodlands · 1.6 km
Ridlins Mire
Wildlife reserves · 1.6 km

Blue Hill Manor
Manor houses · 1.8 km

Longmeadow Evangelical Church
Historic churches · 2.0 km

Datchworth
Museums · 2.1 km

Datchworth War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 2.1 km

Watton
Castles · 2.3 km
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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.