Countryside Day 2025

CPRE Hertfordshire held its annual Countryside Day on 11^th October 2025, bringing together members, local environmental and wildlife groups and the wider public in celebration of the wonderful local countryside.

This year’s event was held at Knebworth House, with a welcome from Edward Lytton Cobbold, and introduction from CPRE Hertfordshire President Sir Simon Bowes-Lyon. This was followed by speeches from our Chairman Peter Waine OBE, our Chief Executive Abby Coften, and our Treasurer Steve Wiltshire.

This year we invited a number of local environmental and wildlife charities to take stalls in the beautiful courtyard for our visitors to enjoy.

Our afternoon celebrations were brought to life by a lively and engaging introduction from our National CPRE President, Mary-Ann Ochota. This was followed by a fascinating talk from Nic Wilson, author of Land Beneath the Waves. She focused on the importance of the green spaces around us and how connecting with the natural world provides inspiration and support.

We also celebrated the individual winners of our Children’s Art Competition 2025, awarded by one of our Judges, Kathy Evershed. We were pleased to present a large cheque for £500 to the overall winning school, St Joseph’s School in Hertford.

We attracted around 150 people to this year’s Countryside Day. Many of our attendees delighted in the guided walks of the Knebworth House Gardens, which were also freely accessible to explore throughout the afternoon.

Countryside Day 2026

Next year we will be holding a special 2026 Centenary Countryside Day, celebrating 100 years since the founding of National CPRE. Sign up below for our newsletter to hear details as soon as they become available.

We are also hosting an Open Garden and Music Event at St Paul’s Walden Bury, home of CPRE Hertfordshire President Sir Simon Bowes-Lyon, as part of our centenary celebrations. Learn more and book your ticket here: St Paul’s Walden Bury Open Garden and Music Event, 5 July 2026 – CPRE Hertfordshire