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.

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Bike rider in autumn at Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Bedfordshire

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.

Autumn colour at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral

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'.

Tree roots and leaves in autumn at Sharpenhoe Clappers, Bedfordshire

Place

Sharpenhoe

An ancient woodland and chalk escarpment, crowned with traces of an Iron Age hillfort.

Trees in autumn at Hatfield Forest, Essex

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.

A close view of the windows and the plasterwork on the exterior of Paycocke's House, Colchester, Essex

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.

The exterior of Grange Barn in sunshine, Essex

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

Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood

Explore Essex's second largest area of common land.

View looking north west from the Golden Valley. Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire

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.

Visitors in the garden at Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire

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.

A view over the saltmarsh at Northey Island, Essex

Place

Northey Island

The closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex

Pictures, books and other objects above the mantelpiece in the study at Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire

Places to eat

Here are some of our top walks to enjoy this autumn.

Trail

Whipsnade and Dunstable Downs walk

This circular trail takes you through the autumnal kaleidoscope of Whipsnade Tree Cathedral through Dunstable Downs and across Whipsnade Heath and back to the visitor centre with breathtaking views across the landscape. Suitable for more energetic walkers.

Trail

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.

Trail

Paycocke's Tudor Coggeshall walk

Get a fascinating insight into Tudor life on this circular walk through Coggeshall from Paycocke's House.

A path snaking through woodland at sunset with orange light dappling through the branches

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.

Refresh the mind and blow away the cobwebs as you explore the Essex coast.

A view along the coastline of Northey Island, Essex

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.

Woman with a dog at Copt Hall Marshes, Essex

Article

Explore Copt Hall Marshes

Explore Copt Hall Marshes, a wildlife-rich working farm on the Blackwater Estuary, part of the extensive Essex coastline.

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

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.

A yellow digger stands behind a grey wooden fence which separates it from a newly created pond in the foreground

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.

A flock of dark-bellied brent geese on Northey Island, Essex

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.

Protective track mats in midst of trees in ancient woodland at Ashridge Estate

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

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.

Volunteer ranger hedgelaying at Kingston Lacy, Dorset

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.

Visitors on a guided nature walk at Sharpenhoe Clappers, Sharpenhoe, Bedfordshire

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.

Family on a bike ride in autumnal woods, looking at a map

Article

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.

See all events

Event

Artists in Action with Essex Craft Society

Grange Barn, Colchester, Essex

Discover the exquisite craftsmanship of the Essex Craft Society in one of Europe’s oldest and largest timber-framed buildings.

Event

Breathwork in the Forest

Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, Essex

A 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

Artists in Action with Essex Craft Society

Grange Barn, Colchester, Essex

Discover the exquisite craftsmanship of the Essex Craft Society in one of Europe’s oldest and largest timber-framed buildings.

Event

Apple Day

Shaw's Corner, near Welwyn, Hertfordshire

Move over pumpkins – this autumn, the humble apple takes centre stage at Shaw’s Corner!

Event

Ranger’s ramble: protecting our ancient woodland

Ashridge Estate, Near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire

Immerse yourself in our ancient autumnal woodland with one of our rangers!

Event

Half-term trail: Witchsnade's school of magic

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

This October half-term, embark on another magical adventure with our resident witch, Witchsnade!

Event

Forest Bathing

Hatfield Forest, Bishop's Stortford, Essex

Shinrin Yoku, or Forest Bathing, is the Japanese practice of spending time in a woodland environment to improve health and wellbeing through gentle activities that reawaken the senses and our connection to nature.

Event

Spooky Afternoon Tea

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Book your children in for a spook-tacular afternoon at The View Café

Explore an area nearby

A group of four women along a path, in the background, down a hill is a reservoir

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

Plan a visit