Local places to visit in East Herts

The largest of all ten districts in the county, East Herts covers about one-third of Hertfordshire.  It is a predominantly rural area with rolling topography, and hosts the county town of Hertford.

As with all our ‘local places to visit’ these are free and open all year round.

Amwell Nature Reserve

This is a haven for wildlife situated alongside the River Lee Navigation at Great Amwell. There are reedbeds and grasslands as well as Great Hardmead Lake. All of these provide an ideal habitat for numerous waterfowl and other bird species.

The nature reserve connects with other habitats along the River Lee, providing a wildlife corridor stretching from Hertford all the way to the River Thames. Read more about Amwell Nature Reserve.

Panshanger Park

Registered as a Grade II* park by Historic England, Panshanger is a 400 hectare country park west of Hertford.

The River Mimram – one of Hertfordshire’s precious chalk streams – runs through its centre. The park also has a number of lakes, livestock grazing areas, and a range of different wildlife habitats including grasslands and woodlands.

The park is famous for its ‘Panshanger Great Oak’ believed to have been planted by Elizabeth I and now the largest maiden, or clear-stemmed, oak in England. Find out more about Panshanger Park here.

Pishiobury Park