Aldenham Reservoir and Country Park
Aldenham Reservoir and Country Park is a 65 acre reservoir with a circular footpath and 175 acres of woods and meadow land. The area also contains adventure playgrounds and rare breeds farm animals. There is angling, a nature trail, horse-riding and a refreshment kiosk. The kiosk is generally open daily from Easter until the end of October and on weekends and school holidays throughout the year. Occasionally the kiosk may close on days of bad weather. However, it may open on fine days in the winter.
Amwell Nature Reserve
Amwell Nature Reserve is a complex of lakes, reedbeds, grassland, scrub and woodland in the Lee Valley, located south of Ware. The lakes were created by sand and gravel extraction between1973 and 1990 by St Albans Sand and Gravel, which then became RMC Aggregates, which in turn was taken over by Cemex. Cemex continued ownership until December 2006 when it was bought by Herts and Middx Wildlife Trust, which will ensure that its status as one of the best birding sites in Hertfordshire will be safeguarded for the future.
Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Woods, Watford
Cassiobury Park is a 77 hectare (190 acre) area of grassland and woodland west of Watford town centre with the River Gade and Grand Union Canal flowing through it at its western end.
Cheshunt pits - lower Lee Valley
The map below shows the name of the numerous gravel pits that exist in the lower Lee Valley area, places where parking is available in the area and the Hertfordshire/Essex county boundary.
Croxley Common Moor
Located on the south side of Croxley Green beyond the urban sprawl, lies a 100 Acre reserve that provides a habitat rich in birdlife throughout the year.
East Hyde
East Hyde is one of the few easily accessible areas of water meadow along this stretch of the Upper Lea Valley. Situated on the Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire border the area can be reached along the B653, Lower Luton Road and is approximately 1.5 miles north-west of Batford and 4 miles south-east of Luton (TL 129172). A map can be found here.
Heartwood Forest and Nomansland Common, Sandridge
The Woodland Trust's Heartwood Forest is impressive, 345 Ha (850 acres) of newly planted trees and open grassland, plus some existing old woodland, located on both sides of the B651 road between Sandridge and Wheathampstead.
Nomansland Common borders Heartwood to the north, it is managed by St Albans Council.
King's Meads
King?s Meads, between Hertford and Ware, are the largest remaining grazed riverside flood meadows in Hertfordshire, covering 96 hectares or 237 acres. The rivers and ditches, which criss-cross the site, traditionally flooded the flat land although, due to falling water levels, this now happens less often than in the past. However, ditch restoration and the maintenance of a system of sluices is gradually restoring the water levels to the meadows during the winter months.
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve at Maple Cross reopened on Easter Sunday after a period of closure. Maple Lodge remains a members only reserve.
Maple Lodge is a wonderful 40 acre nature reserve consisting of lakes, marsh, hedgerows and wooded plantation. The reserve is in Maple Cross near junction 17 of the M25 (see the Lodge Map page for location details). It can be accessed by members any time of the year. Details regarding membership and access can be found on their website Maple Lodge Conservation Society, enquiries about membership telephone? 07580 535986.
Tring Reservoirs
Tring Reservoirs attract all kinds of wildlife and are recognised as one of the best sites in the region for wintering wildfowl. The reed beds hold breeding warblers and Reed Buntings in the summer and one of the largest heronries in Herts is at Wilstone Reservoir. Autumn and spring migration can bring in some exciting birds, however Tring Reservoirs are worth a visit at any time of year.