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Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Enjoy a day out amongst an ancient forest or discover age-old traditions in a number of quaint, quiet villages in the counties of Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Places to visit
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Top places to visit in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Place
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate
Dunstable Downs is within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The highest point in Bedfordshire, from here you can enjoy views of a landscape that has been sculpted over time.
Place
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
This incredible tree cathedral, made from trees, shrubs and plants, was created after the First World War in the spirit of 'faith, hope and reconciliation'.
Place
Sharpenhoe
An ancient woodland and chalk escarpment, crowned with traces of an Iron Age hillfort.
Place
Hatfield Forest National Nature Reserve
Shaped by people over centuries and home to the rarest species of wildlife and oldest ancient trees, no other forest on earth evokes the atmosphere of a medieval hunting Forest so completely.
Place
Bourne Mill
A picturesque watermill with working waterwheel a short stroll from the centre of Colchester.
Place
Paycocke's House and Garden
Book a guided experience around this perfectly formed Tudor merchant's house whose walls have more than a few stories to tell.
Place
Grange Barn
One of Europe's oldest timber-framed buildings, Grange Barn stands as a lasting reminder of the once powerful Coggeshall Abbey.
Place
Ashridge Estate
Ashridge Estate is a 5,000 acre area of the Chiltern Hills, with ancient trees, rolling chalk downlands and lush meadows in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Place
Shaw's Corner
Join a guided tour of Shaw's Corner and learn more about its owner, playwright George Bernard Shaw, who lived here for 44 years.
Top things to do in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Countdown to Christmas
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Christmas at Dunstable Downs
Get ready to unwrap the magic of Christmas at Dunstable Downs! With a festive family trail, breakfast with the elves, wreath making workshops, festive evenings of music, creativity and late-night shopping there's lots of the whole family to enjoy this Christmas at Dunstable Downs.
Experience the magic of winter with a walk in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Here are some of our top walks to enjoy this winter.
Trail
Dunstable Downs countryside walk
Weather won't stop you setting out on your winter walk on the all-weather path that's ideal for families. Follow the path out from the visitor centre and back as you take in stunning views across the winter landscape.
Trail
Bourne Mill pub tour
This circular, 3-mile walk will take you to some of the most celebrated inns in Colchester, Essex, as well as some of the area's historic landmarks.
Trail
Paycocke's Tudor Coggeshall walk
Get a fascinating insight into Tudor life on this circular walk through Coggeshall from Paycocke's House.
The coast
Refresh the mind and blow away the cobwebs as you explore the Essex coast.
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Plan your visit to Northey Island
Plan your visit to Northey Island, and discover what you can see and do while you're there.
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Explore Copt Hall Marshes
Explore Copt Hall Marshes, a wildlife-rich working farm on the Blackwater Estuary, part of the extensive Essex coastline.
Latest news and projects
Press release
‘Crumbling cloisters’ at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral World War I memorial restored for people and nature
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral in Bedfordshire, one of only three tree cathedrals in the UK, is undergoing vital conservation works to restore its natural, architectural beauty for people and nature after being devasted by ash dieback over the past five years.
Project
Project
Ashridge Estate - Protecting Our Roots
We are looking at making changes to the infrastructure across the estate to help manage the careful balance of increased visitor numbers with the impact on nature. Read about the 'Protecting Our Roots' project and find out more about our vision for the future of Ashridge Estate.
Project
Project
Bridgewater Monument conservation works at Ashridge Estate
The Bridgewater Monument at the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate is to be steam cleaned for the first time in its history as part of major conservation work taking place this summer.
Press release
Remote Essex island ‘lets the sea in’ to create new saltmarsh in fight against climate change
Major works to create and retain swathes of new saltmarsh habitat on a remote Essex island have reached a major milestone, providing a lifeline for the land and its wildlife in a changing climate and in light of rising sea levels.
Press release
Numbers of protected birds soar to new record after overhead power lines are removed on remote Essex island
National Trust rangers at Northey Island in Essex, with support from volunteers, have recorded record numbers of two protected bird species following the re-routing of the island’s power infrastructure.
Press release
National Trust's largest ancient woodland set to be restored on a scale rarely seen
A major restoration project is underway at the National Trust’s largest ancient woodland, Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, to improve the site’s prospects for wildlife and protect its diverse habitats, which are home to many species that are endangered or in decline.
Project
Project
Coastal adaptation project at Northey Island
Learn about the major conservation work we’re carrying out at Northey Island in partnership with the RSPB to restore and retain vital saltmarsh habitat in the Blackwater Estuary.
Get involved
Volunteering in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Making new friends, working in amazing places, and knowing that you're helping a cause you care about – just three great reasons to volunteer with the National Trust in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
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Supporter groups in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
There are a number of supporter groups in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Find out more about what they do and how you can join one near you.
Travelling to National Trust places without a car
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Sustainable travel in Essex, Beds and Herts
There are a number of sustainable options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, whether you’re looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot. Here’s a little more information that can help you plan your visit.
Upcoming events
Event
Family trail: Chaos at Christmas
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireFor Christmas to go ahead, the elves must find their missing baubles!
Event
Breakfast with the Elves
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireAnother magical Christmas season awaits as the elves return for breakfast at the View Café!
Event
Boxing Day breakfast
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireKeep the festive fun going and start Boxing Day the right way!
Event
Post-Christmas gentle stroll
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireWalk away from the chaos of the festivities and join us for a gentle stroll across Dunstable Downs before the start of 2025!
Event
New Year's Day breakfast
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireKick off the New Year in the best way!
Event
Breathwork in the Forest
Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, EssexA relaxing breathwork class, designed to calm the nervous system, clear tension from within and provide space to connect back to the mind, body and soul.
Event
Breathe & Journal
Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, EssexPerfect for anyone that wants to work on their mind, body and soul by layering up healing modalities. We will combine breathwork and journaling to relax, release and restore.
Event
Valentines Day: Blind Date With a Book
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireLet cupid's clues guide you to find a new love with pre-loved... guaranteed date success at our second-hand bookshop this Valentines Day!
Explore an area nearby