Forest bathing at Whippendell Wood

Whippendell Wood is about 67 hectares of ancient woodland on the western edge of Watford, wooded since at least 1600 and once part of the Cassiobury estate. Oak, beech, ash and silver birch are the main trees, with plenty of hornbeam, cherry, hawthorn, hazel and holly beneath them, and an avenue of limes dating from 1672 runs through the wood. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, mainly for its fungi and invertebrates, so autumn is a good time to look closely at the ground and the dead wood.

There are free car parks on Grove Mill Lane and Rousbarn Lane, and a public footpath links the wood with Cassiobury Park across the golf course if you would rather arrive on foot. The wood is best known for bluebells, usually at their peak from the last week of April into early May. There is a purpose-built mountain bike trail as well as walking paths and cycle routes, so for a quiet visit keep to the footpaths away from the bike trail.