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Wildlife reserves · East of England

Hales and Shadwell Woods

In or near Ashdon.

ModernEssex Wildlife TrustFree admission♿ Wheelchair: limited🐾 Dog-friendly👪 Family-friendly

Hales and Shadwell Woods — Essex Wildlife Trust Nature reserve.

Hales and Shadwell Woods, wildlife reserves in Essex

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.

Directions on Google Maps →

Visit on essexwt.org.uk

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 Railway5.4 km
Opening
Accessible at all times
Official site
www.essexwt.org.uk

Sources

Other places nearby

Nearby

St Aylotts Trig Point Flush Bracket 11604 - geograph.org.uk - 7856047📷 5

Mountains & hills · East of England

Sewards End Hill

Sewards End Hill — mountain in england london. Elevation: 121 m.

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All Saints Church at Ashdon - geograph.org.uk - 4222866📷 5

Vineyards · East of England

Medieval settlement immediately east of All Saints Church

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Old Milestone - geograph.org.uk - 2884992📷 5

Museums · East of England

Ashdon Village Museum

Ashdon Village Museum — a museum in england-london, United Kingdom.

Free👶ashdonvillagemuseum.co.uk
Old Milestone - geograph.org.uk - 2884992📷 5

Historic churches · East of England

Marpa House

Marpa House — a church in england-london, United Kingdom.

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Towns & cities · East of England

Ashdon

Ashdon — village and civil parish in Essex, UK.

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Memorials & monuments · East of England

Ashdon War Memorial

Ashdon War Memorial — Grade II listed building-listed memorial in england-london, United Kingdom.

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Where to eat & stay near Hales and Shadwell Woods

Places to stay

Little Walden, private road ahead - geograph.org.uk - 7563614📷 5

Campsites · East of England

Ashwell House

Ashwell House — a campsite in england london.

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Saffron Walden, yard off King Street - geograph.org.uk - 5554512📷 7

Hotels · East of England

Cross Keys Hotel

Cross Keys Hotel — a hotel in england london.

Great Chesterford, along Church Street - geograph.org.uk - 7008869📷 7

Hotels · East of England

Crown House

Crown House — a hotel in england london.

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Little Abington, Abington Pottery - geograph.org.uk - 7781091📷 5

Campsites · East of England

Abington Woods

Abington Woods — a campsite in england london.

Long lost line of railway. - geograph.org.uk - 117661📷 3

Caravan parks · East of England

Hamperden End Caravan Site

Hamperden End Caravan Site — a caravan park in england london.

hamperdencaravansite.co.uk
Henham Microwave Tower - geograph.org.uk - 6460513📷 5

Campsites · East of England

Lovecote Lodge

Lovecote Lodge — a campsite in england london.

Places to eat & drink

Cottages on Little Walden Road, Saffron Walden - geograph.org.uk - 6578436📷 5

Historic pubs · East of England

The Victory Public House

The Victory Public House in England East, United Kingdom.

Eight Bells - geograph.org.uk - 1803821📷 7

Historic pubs · East of England

Eight Bells Inn

Eight Bells Inn in England East, United Kingdom.

Hadstock, no longer The King's Head - geograph.org.uk - 7564470📷 5

Historic pubs · East of England

The Kings Head Inn

The Kings Head Inn in England East, United Kingdom.

Walden Road, Littlebury - geograph.org.uk - 7139133📷 7

Historic pubs · East of England

Old Carpenters Arms

Old Carpenters Arms in England East, United Kingdom.

Old Ship Cottage - geograph.org.uk - 5951126📷 5

Restaurants · East of England

Yuva

Yuva — a restaurant in england london.

Village Hall, Widdington - geograph.org.uk - 4433783📷 5

Historic pubs · East of England

Fleur De Lys Inn

Fleur De Lys Inn in England East, United Kingdom.

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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.