Hatfield Forest
 

Howdy--I'd like to see Hatfield Forest in Essex, UK this October. Am having a bit of trouble finding information about the place. Apparently the closest town is Takeley and there are some B&B's there, but not much info about them or the area. Is anyone familiar with this area? Do you have any advice to share? Anything will be appreciated. Thanks, BMK

The 'forest' is a park of mixed woodland, open spaces and a lake that can be fished.

There is, or was, a small refreshment hut (ice-creams, tea, coffee etc), but apart from that, not very many visitor facilities.

In the summer, the local drama society sometimes put on plays in the early evening eg Midsummer nights dream to which you can take a picnic. Tickets can be sourced via ads in the local paper usually.

It's a nice place for a walk or horse or bike ride if the weather is good, but there is not a huge amount to do - unless you go in a big group and organise rounders or volleyball or something.

Takeley is fairly dull. Yes, there are a few B+B's and it gives easy access to the forest. Great Hallinbury is prettier, though suffers lots of noise from the airport.

Not sure which bits of the forest/park will be open in Oct - you can probably drive in or walk round, but refreshments etc may be shut....

Do you have family connections to the area or something? Otherwise, it really isn't a major site.

It is run by the National Trust but last I knew there is no admission charge. More of a country park w/ lots of walks - not a grand "national" park sort of place.

RM67 has described it very well.

Thanks RM67 and janisi---Maybe I'll re-consider my destination. Any suggestions for good walks in a more interesting area. I'd kind of like to stay near London as we really only have 10 days and are planning to spen at least 4 in London. thanks-bmk

" Any suggestions for good walks in a more interesting area"

England probably has more walks in more interesting areas than anywhere else on the planet. But to get any helpful suggestions, you really need to tell us a bit more.

Are you trying to stay somewhere near London that's nice, but that lets you commute in to do the tourist stuff? IMHO, unrealistic for most people: the best you're going to get within 40 miles is suburbia, and hotel facilities in suburbia are generally mediocre and if anything pricier than you'd get in the centre on Priceline (they're aimed at the far less price sensitive corporate market). Suburban B&Bs are sometimes OK - but generally in pretty dispiriting areas. Staying at a friend's house in the suburbs is fine: but the suburbs are very, very rarely a sensible alternative to a Priceline hotel in the centre for a typical tourist or business visit.

Or are you looking for a country break as part of a London holiday? In which case, there's no value in staying close to London. Anywhere within a 2 hour train journey makes pretty much the same sense.

If - as might be your case - you want to be within striking distance of a particular airport, tell us. There's a fair bit of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk closeish to Stansted that's really pleasant to stay in.

Richmond might suit you better. It has easy tube and rail links to central London, and you can walk in Richmond Park and along the Thames. It's also handy for Kew, Marble Hill House and Ham House, and you can get a bus to Hampton Court.

Windsor or Sunningdale are also possibilities, as Windsor Great Park and Virginia Water are good to explore.

Princes Risborough or Saunderton are 45-50 minutes from London by train and there are lots of country walks in the Chiltern Hills.

Near Eton College, Savill Garden is a wonderful large park--beautiful trees and shrubs.

Hello--I'm always so pleased at how many helpful travelers there are out there willing to give good advice--Thank you! Well, we've scrapped Hatfield Forest due to an overwhelmingly unenthusiastic response from all areas and kind of decided on Kent as we don't want to spend all of our time on a train. Thinking of going from Heathrow to a farmhouse B&B in the Kent area, and then hopefully to a self catering accommodation in a 'lovely archetypical village surrounded by wonderful hikes to interesting places'. (have seen most of the castles and big houses, and am sickened by 'tourist attractions') Any suggestions? Then back to London to stay in an apartment rented through 'At Home in London'. So that's the present plan subject to change at a moment's notice depending on your suggestions. Thanks, bmk

Well, in your shoes, I wouldn't go to Kent. Getting there from Heathrow involves crossing London: most of it's commuter territory, so by the time you've got to the uncommuter bit, you've been 2-3 hours in some form or other of train or tube. I have to admit to a bit of prejudice: I personally find a lot of Kent, even 60 miles from London, a wee bit suburban. There are interesting - even rather wild - areas (like round Romney Marsh), but they're not quite my idea of the archetype rolling English hills,

I'd get the bus from Heathrow to Reading station, then one of the the direct trains to the Cotswolds or thereabouts. Get off at Moreton in Marsh or Castle Cary.

Or the bus from Heathrow to Woking, then the train to the New Forest. Brockenhurst's the handiest station (specialises in renting bikes out).

All three of these destinations have slick direct trains into London for the second half of your trip.

I agree 100%. Kent is lovely but mostly for castles and gardens - for the most part not really pretty walking country. W/ a car and several days you can see a lot though.

I'd pick either the New Forest or the Cotswolds for 1) easier access to LHR, and 2) nicer walks.

I notice now you are the poster w/ the new thread about Kent . . . .

The New Forest would be amazing for what you want. Walks in the New Forest, Bucklers Hard village, Beaulieu, and even a day trip over on the ferry to the Isle of Wight w/ some terrific walks.

Or of course - the Cotswolds based from Moreton-in-Marsh is nothing BUT great walks every which direction.

Either would be preferable to Kent if you are arriving at LHR

Thank you flanneruk and janisi--I'm checking out all of your suggestions--Cheers, bmk

Any suggestions for good walks in a more interesting area>

I heartily disagree that Kent, you original goal, is not really good for walking.

I have spent years hiking and biking throughout Kent and England and IMO Kent stacks up really well - and it's close to London and has a lot of interesting sights besides verdant countryside.

I have described several great walks in your original Kent post.

Don't neglect Kent and IMO anyone who says Kent is not really great walking country simply has not done it.