Hobbyhorse Wood Nature Reserve © Charlotte Hussey
Hobbyhorse Wood
Location
OS Map Reference
TL 348 101
Know before you go
Entry fee
FreeParking information
No official parking. Park close to the College Arms pub on The Roundings. Follow The Roundings (crossing into the private road), turn left into to Elbow Lane and follow signs to Hobbyhorse Wood.Access
Wooded paths. Main entrance is fairly flat. Paths are unpaved and can be muddy at times.
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
24 hoursBest time to visit
April to JulyAbout the reserve
There are some old coppiced hornbeam stools around the edge of the wood with a bordering ditch. Part of the ditch broadens out into a pond which supports a range of aquatic flora and fauna including common frogs. The reserve is a good place to see swathes of wood anemones early in the year, particularly near the entrance. The wood also supports butterflies such as peacock and ringlet.
Seasonal Highlights
Spring: Grass snake, tawny owl
Summer: Gatekeeper, ringlet, large skipper.
Autumn/ Winter: Blue, great and long-tailed tit, redwing, siskin
Directions
Site entrance:The site entrance is signposted on Elbow Lane, off of The Roundings.
Access by road: From Hertford Heath village follow London Road (B1197), until you reach The College Arms pub on your right. Turn right into The Roundings and follow below directions.
Access by public transport
Bus: 341 or 641 – The College Arms pub.
Rail: Hertford East (2.3 miles), Hertford North (3 miles).