Gobions Wood
A fantastic woodland for bluebells and anemones in the spring - and diverse fungi in the autumn
Gobions Wood is a rich site which is primarily woodland but includes grassland, hedges, ponds and other wetland areas. Much of the woodland is ancient. The remnants of a landscaped 'Pleasure Gardens' created in the 1760s can still be seen.
The reserve contains two distinct woodland types - ash/field maple on the clay soils to the west - and oak woodland on the more acidic gravelly soils to the east. There are also areas of wet woodland dominated by crack willow. However, the range of tree species found is remarkable. This is partly natural and partly a result of the reserves garden history. Visitors may be surprised to see some fine examples of giant sequoia within the woodland along with mature elm trees - now a relatively rare sight. The woodland is renowned locally for its display of bluebells in May.
The reserve is particularly good for fungi. 558 species have been found - with two of these new records for the UK and over 100 which are rare or scarce in Hertfordshire!
The reserve also contains spectacular swallow holes in an area known as Deep Bottom. Here the chalk comes to the surface and the streams flowing across the clay suddenly disappear underground creating very large and rather dangerous-looking holes.
In winter siskin and redwing can be seen - whilst lesser spotted woodpecker and sparrowhawk have both been known to breed in the wood.
