Wildlife reserves · East of England
Hales and Shadwell Woods
In or near Ashdon.
Hales and Shadwell Woods — Essex Wildlife Trust Nature reserve.

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 2 h–4 h
- Best time of year
- Autumn & winter (migration & wildfowl)
- Nearest railway station
- Audley End Miniature Railway · 5.4 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
Hales and Shadwell Woods is located in Uttlesford, Essex, with the postcode CB10 2LP. The nearest railway station is Audley End Miniature Railway, which is 5.4 km away. Entry is free, but wheelchair accessibility is limited.
About
Hales and Shadwell Woods is a wildlife reserve in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to 1986. It covers approximately 15 km². Heritage designation: Site of Special Scientific Interest. Managed by Essex Wildlife Trust. Wikidata describes it as: "Essex Wildlife Trust Nature reserve". Coordinates: 52.0390°, 0.2890°.
Photo gallery
Summary from the official site
Shadwell Wood Nature Reserve is an ancient woodland known for its vibrant spring and summer flowers, including the rare Oxlip. Visitors can explore various circular walking paths and enjoy the diverse flora and fauna, including nesting birds and butterflies during the warmer months.
Read more on the official property page.
Protected designations
- Site of Special Scientific Interest: Hales and Shadwell Woods SSSI
- National Nature Reserve: HALES WOOD
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Hales and Shadwell Woods is a 15.4-hectare (38-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-east of Saffron Walden in Essex. Shadwell Wood has an area of 7.1 hectares and it is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. Hales Wood is a National Nature Reserve, and it is listed in the Nature Conservation Review. The woods, which are under half a mile apart, are both ancient coppice wet ash and maple on chalky boulder clay. The shrub layer is diverse, with plants including wayfaring-trees, guelder roses, spurge-laurel and the nationally uncommon oxlip. Seven species of orchid have been recorded in Shadwell Wood, which also has herb-rich grassy rides. There is access to Shadwell Wood by a footpath from Walden Road, but no access to Hales Wood.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
- Coordinates
- 52.0390, 0.2890
- County
- Essex
- District
- Uttlesford
- Parish
- Ashdon
- Postcode
- CB10 2LP
- Parliamentary constituency
- North West Essex
- Established
- 1986
- Nearest railway station
- Audley End Miniature Railway — 5.4 km
- Opening
- Accessible at all times
- Official site
- www.essexwt.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q24993899 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Hales and Shadwell Woods (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Shadwell Wood - geograph.org.uk - 1414033.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Sewards End Hill
Mountains & hills · 1.3 km

Medieval settlement immediately east of All Saints Church
Vineyards · 1.6 km

Ashdon Village Museum
Museums · 2.1 km

Marpa House
Historic churches · 2.2 km

Ashdon
Towns & cities · 2.3 km

Ashdon War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 2.5 km

Nunn Wood
Archaeological sites · 2.7 km

Little Walden
Villages · 2.8 km

Saffron Walden Cemetery
Cemeteries · 3.1 km

Bragg's Mill
Windmills · 3.3 km

Saffron Walden Turf Maze
Natural landmarks · 3.3 km

The Victory Public House
Historic pubs · 3.5 km
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Hales and Shadwell Woods?
- Hales and Shadwell Woods is in Essex, London, United Kingdom (postcode CB10 2LP), in the parish of Ashdon.
- What is Hales and Shadwell Woods?
- Hales and Shadwell Woods — Essex Wildlife Trust Nature reserve.
- How do I get to Hales and Shadwell Woods?
- The nearest railway station is Audley End Miniature Railway, about 5.4 km away. Drivers can use postcode CB10 2LP.
- When was Hales and Shadwell Woods built?
- Built or established in 1986.
- Who runs Hales and Shadwell Woods?
- Hales and Shadwell Woods is operated by Essex Wildlife Trust.
- Is Hales and Shadwell Woods a listed building?
- Hales and Shadwell Woods is officially recognised as Site of Special Scientific Interest listed.
- Is Hales and Shadwell Woods a protected site?
- Yes — Hales and Shadwell Woods is part of the Hales and Shadwell Woods SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the HALES WOOD National Nature Reserve.
- Is Hales and Shadwell Woods free to visit?
- Yes, Hales and Shadwell Woods is free to enter.