![Family follow the walking trail at Hatfield Forest, Essex](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/hatfield-forest/library/winter/1296594-family-walking-trail-hatfield-forest-essex.jpg?auto=webp&width=767&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Outdoor activities in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Get out and about at the places we care for, taking in glorious countryside, sun-dappled forests and pretty villages, as well as historic buildings and an array of local wildlife.
Activities you might be interested in
![Duke of Burgundy butterfly on the Ivinghoe Hills walk, on the Ashridge Estate](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/ashridge-estate/library/ivinghoehillsbutterflywalk.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Ivinghoe Hills butterfly walk
Discover how many butterflies you can spot on this easy circular route on the Ivinghoe Hills at Ashridge Estate.
![The garden at Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/shaws-corner/library/shaws-corner-garden.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Wheathampstead to Shaw's Corner circular walk
Walk in the footsteps of the playwright George Bernard Shaw and visit his former home on the Wheathampstead to Shaw's Corner circular walk.
![Trees in autumn at Hatfield Forest, Essex](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/hatfield-forest/library/autumn/trees-autumn-hatfield-forest-essex-1206685-1.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Hatfield Forest walk
An easy 1.7-mile circular walk through the ancient woodlands at Hatfield Forest, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve.
![A view over the Blackwater Estuary at Northey Island, Essex](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/northey-island/library/blackwater-estuary-northey-island-essex-1206856.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Northey Island circular walk
Discover the remote Northey Island in the Blackwater Estuary, a walk that's the closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex.
![Woman and two children walking along path with tall grass and hills to either side](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/dunstable-downs-and-whipsnade-estate/library/visitors-walking-dunstable-downs-bedfordshire-1192347.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Dunstable Downs countryside walk
Follow this moderately difficult circular route through Dunstable Downs, discovering diverse wildlife, ancient tracks and burial mounds.
![The vegetable garden in June at Paycocke's House and Garden, Essex](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/paycockes-house-and-garden/library/summer/vegetable-garden-june-paycockes-house-essex-1335436.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Paycocke's Tudor Coggeshall walk
Get a fascinating insight into Tudor life on this circular walk through Coggeshall from Paycocke's House.
![A path through very green woodland with tall trees](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/danbury-commons-and-blakes-wood/library/lingwood-common-danbury-essex-1020167.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Lingwood Common to Blakes Wood walk
A 3.5-mile circular walk, ideal for families, through mixed woodland between Blake's Wood and Lingwood Common.
![Golden Valley at Ashridge Estate Hertfordshire](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/places/ashridge-estate/library/golden-valley-2.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
In the footsteps of Capability Brown
Discover the Golden Valley, a hidden gem of the Ashridge Estate, on this 4.3-mile walk. Designed by the famous 'Capability' Brown this masterpiece ranks among his finest works.