Forest bathing at Northaw Great Wood

Northaw Great Wood holds one of Hertfordshire's most extensive areas of ancient hornbeam woodland, with oak and silver birch, open bracken glades, wide rides, streams and springs. The country park covers about 119 hectares and sits within a larger Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is what remains of a big Norman wood that once covered most of Northaw parish and was used for grazing, firewood and pigs. In the Second World War it formed part of the Outer London anti-tank stop line.

The car park on The Ridgeway in Cuffley is the main way in, with toilets alongside; there are also pedestrian entrances off Carbone Hill and The Ridgeway. Three colour-coded trails run from about 1 km to just over 4 km, so you can choose a short loop and spend the rest of the time sitting by a stream or in a glade. There are no dedicated cycle trails, which helps keep it quiet. The car park and toilets close earlier in winter than in summer, so check times if you are coming late in the day.