Tewin Orchard and Hopkyns Wood

Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, this reserve remains closed for the time being

This traditional village orchard has locally distinct fruit varieties and a hide which is perfect for watching badgers and other mammals from.

Location

Upper Green Road

Tewin

Hertfordshire

AL6 0LZ

OS Map Reference

TL 268 155

Know before you go

Size

4 hectares

Parking information

Visitors can park just inside the reserve gate entrance.

Access

The Orchard is fairly flat with the woodland steep in places and not as accessible.

Dogs

On a lead

Facilities

Bird hides

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

May to November

About the reserve

Tewin Orchard represents an almost extinct feature of the English countryside: that of small village orchards with varied and often local fruit varieties. Today the orchard is great for apples and pears and home to a wide variety of wildlife. In autumn and winter the apples attract large numbers of redwings, fieldfares and blackbirds. Other birds using the orchard include yellowhammers, greenfinches, linnets and goldfinches. In contrast, Hopkyns Wood is a shady oak and hornbeam wood with ground flora dominated by bluebells and wild garlic in springtime.

Seasonal Highlights
Spring: Apple blossom, badger, bluebells, deer, red kite, ransoms.
Summer: Green-veined white, lesser whitethroat, painted lady.
Autumn: Fungi, house martin, swallow, yellowhammer.
Winter: Bullfinch, fieldfare, redwing.

Badger Watching

Deep in Tewin Orchard lies a mammal hide facing a sprawling badger sett of more than ten badgers. We are thrilled to offer an evening of badger watching here - a special night you’re sure to remember!

As well as our resident badgers you are also likely to see foxes, owls and a variety of other wildlife in natural surroundings.

Directions

Site entrance: Reserve entrance off Upper Green Road.

Access by road: On B1000 from Welwyn Garden City to Hertford turn left through Tewin. Carry on towards Burnham Green, passing Tewin cricket ground on the left. Immediately after a bend in the road turn right into Tewin Orchard.

Access by public transport
Bus: 378, 388, 204 – Upper Green (0.3 miles).
Rail: Welwyn North (2 miles).