Natural England - Broxbourne Woods NNR
Broxbourne Woods NNR
Although most NNRs are managed by Natural England, 88 are wholly or partly managed by other bodies approved by Council, under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
County: Hertfordshire
Main habitats: Woodland
Area: 237 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map.
The reserve comprises four woods: Bencroft, Broxbourne, Hoddesdonpark and Wormley. Hertfordshire County Council owns Broxbourne Wood & Bencroft Wood, while the Woodland Trust owns Hoddesdonpark Wood and Wormley Wood. Each landowner manages their own woods, but in the context of the Broxbourne Woods NNR management partnership. This partnership involves Hertfordshire County Council , the Woodland Trust and the Hertfordshire Countryside Management Service, plus other stakeholders and adjacent landowners.
All of the woods are ancient, although recent research suggests the area was Roman (or pre-Roman) agricultural land that was abandoned then re-colonised by trees.
The area's animal life includes badgers, weasels, grass snakes and Muntjac deer; and the woods are also home to woodpeckers, woodcock, tree creepers, hawfinches, buzzards and sparrowhawks. Twenty-seven species of butterfly have been recorded at the site, including grizzled skippers, white admirals and purple hairstreaks.
Location and access
Broxbourne Woods are three km west of the A1170, approximately six km south of Hertford, and five km north west of Cheshunt. There are four car parks in Broxbourne and Bencroft Woods - between the villages of Wormely West End and Brickendon - on Pembridge Lane and White Lane.
The nearest train station is Bayford 2.5 km to the west.
The reserve is near the route of a major trail, the Hertfordshire Chain Walk, and in the centre of the Herford Circular Ride, part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Facilities
There are foot, cycle and bridle paths through the woods. Some tracks are well-surfaced allowing accompanied wheelchair access. The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in the local villages and there are picnic facilities in the reserve car parks.
A map of the woods together with detailed descriptions of nine walks has been published by the Woodland Trust.