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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
Get ready for Easter in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Plan a family friendly day out this spring with Easter trails at these places near you.
Article
Easter adventures at Dunstable Downs
Visit Dunstable Downs this Easter for an Easter trail with a medieval twist. The year is 1232, and King Henry III has called for all knights and nobles to gather for an Easter tournament at Dunstable Downs. Are you up for the challenge?
Article
Easter adventures at Shaw's Corner
Introduce your little one to the wonders of nature on this fun Easter trail through Shaw's garden. Learn all about the bugs that call Shaw's Corner home and, once you've put them all back where they belong, you can pick up your chocolate egg.
Easter adventure at Bourne Mill
Explore the tranquil gardens of Bourne Mill on a Easter trail. Pick up a trail sheet and bunny ears then make your way along the trail and find activities for the whole family. Bring a picnic to enjoy by the mill pond and make a day of it.
Get out and enjoy nature with a walk in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Here are some of our top walks to enjoy this spring.
Trail
Dunstable Downs Five Knolls wildlife and heritage walk
An accessible, waymarked, out-and-back route highlighting the downs' history and the rich variety of birds, insects and plant life that you'll see up here.
Trail
Capability Brown walk at Hatfield Forest
Discover how the Houblon family turned Hatfield Forest into a Georgian pleasure ground with the help of the famous 18th-century landscaper Capability Brown on this circular trail around the lake.
Trail
Danbury Common to Lingwood Common walk
An easy, 1.5 mile walk through wetlands, wooded glades and open heathland, that makes an ideal family walk.
The coast
Refresh the mind and blow away the cobwebs as you explore the Essex coast.
Article
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
News
Major project underway to plant 15,000 trees at Dunstable Downs
An ambitious project at the National Trust’s Dunstable Downs is underway to plant 15,000 trees, creating 11.5 hectares (27 acres) of new wood pasture and woodland.
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.
Article
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
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
Ramblers Wellbeing Walk
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireEnjoy some fresh air, company and light exercise on these free, regular walks, designed to support health and wellbeing for all.
Event
Volunteer Action Day: Great Spring Clean
Rayleigh Mount, Rayleigh, EssexJoin us at Rayleigh Mount for a Volunteer Spring Clean Session.
Event
Twilight Nights for Ramadan
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireSee Dunstable Downs in a new light with two sunset openings in celebration of Ramadan.
Event
Dunstable’s Medieval Past (for adults)
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireJoin local author and historian John Buckledee for an illustrated talk on the medieval tournaments that once made Dunstable famous!
Event
Mother's Day: pop-up bookshop
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireCelebrate Mother’s Day with the joy of a good book!
Event
Dunstable’s Medieval Past (for families)
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireStep back in time with local author and historian John Buckledee as he brings Dunstable’s medieval tournaments to life in a family-friendly talk!
Event
Easter egg hunt at Dunstable Downs: Knights' Tournament
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, BedfordshireThe year is 1232, and King Henry III has called for all knights and nobles to gather for an Easter tournament at Dunstable Downs. Are you up for the challenge?
Explore an area nearby