Broxbourne Woods Walk – Complete Guide & Map

Autumn is the perfect time of the year for a forest walk. But where do we find a forest near London? Well, this is where I can help. With this Broxbourne Woods walk, follow the NNR trail through the woodland, losing yourself in the magical autumn colours. And if you have enough of the forest walk, there is a nice public park with a lake at the forest’s doorsteps!

The weather forecast was looking all gloomy and rainy that weekend so I was thinking of doing a forest walk to stay dry (or as dry as possible). I designed the route in Broxbourne Woods following the NNR trail and then deviated from the route to make it a loop. So let’s go and discover Broxbourne Woods together!

Logistics of the Broxbourne Woods Walk

Highlights of the Broxbourne Woods Walk

The Broxbourne Woods Walk

So now we covered the basics, let’s get to the walk!

Broxbourne

Our walk starts in Broxbourne, a town in Hertfordshire. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book for its Manor and its Mill under Brochtsborne. The name is believed to come from Old English Broccburna which means Badger Stream. No wonder why the Badger is the logo of the Broxbourne Borough!

Among the notable landmarks of the town is the St Augustine Church built in the twelfth century and the remains of the Pulham and Son’s manufactory puddling wheel, now a Grade II listed building.

Come out of the train station, and go up the set of stairs on your right in the car park. When you arrive at the top, you are on a path following the New River.

New River

The New River is a man-made waterway designed by Sir Hugh Middleton. Its purpose is to supply fresh drinking water to London. It opened in 1613 and still remains part of London’s water infrastructure even though it underwent many alterations over the years.

The River source is in Wave, Hertfordshire, and flows to the Stock Newington East Reservoir in the London Borough of Hackney. It passes through popular areas such as Enfield, Wood Green and Finsbury Park.

The project of the New River started in 1602 and was not completed until 1613 as its construction had many challenges. From financial difficulties to landowners’ opposition, the project was rescued thanks to the support of King James I.

Out of Broxbourne

The promenade you are on is part of the New River Path, a 28-mile (45 km) long trail following the course of the New River from its source to London. Walk alongside the river where you come across bridges (no need to cross over to the other bank), ducks and swans swimming, as well as weeping willow with branches so long they go under the water.

When you get to Upper Marsh Lane, cross over and take the first street on your right to join Yewlands. You are now entering the wealthy residential area of Broxbourne and its huge houses.

At the High Street, cross over and take Woodlands Close. Walk through the car park to join Cock Lane. In the end, you will find Barclay Park.

Barclay Park

The name of the park has nothing to do with the High Street bank, Barclays. It comes from Robert Buchanan Barclay (without an S at the end) who bought the land in 1871. In 1935, part of the land was made public on the occasion of King George V’s Silver Jubilee.

The park’s main landmarks are a manmade lake and 2 bridges from James Pulham & Son, landscaper designers, whose factory remains can be seen in Broxbourne. The northeast side of the park is covered in woodlands, whilst the south side is an open space with a playground and a sports area.

You find in the park a Jubilee Walk planted for the Queen’s Jubilee in 2012 as well as Oak and Fir trees planted for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937.

Walk around the ornamental lake and follow the footpath running along Spital Brook to get to the other side of the park. As you get to the A10, there is a tunnel underneath to cross safely. It is only a short walk after that to get to Broxbourne Woods.

Broxbourne Woods

The 239 hectares of Broxbourne Woods are the only Hertforshire’s National Nature Reserve. They cover 4 different forested areas:

• Hoddesdonpark Wood
• Wormley Wood
• Broxbourne Wood
• Bencroft Wood

Our walk today follows the Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail in Hoddesdonpark Wood.

As you enter the wood, you can’t help but be impressed by the huge tree arch before you.

Follow the Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail signposts in the forest. If you do this walk during the autumn season the contrast between the ground covered in orange leaves and the green of the trees is striking. During Spring time, I read that the forest ground is carpeted in purple bluebells. The choice is yours!

The Spital Brook flowing across the forested area is vital for wildlife as it contributes to the formation of mosses and the growth of woodland plants.

The ancient woodlands of Broxbourne were used for farming and animals have been grazing on this site for centuries. However, the practice declined in the 1950s resulting in the expansion of scrub and trees beginning to grow in every direction and overlap. A big clearing of the forest was organised and grazing was reintroduced to maintain the habitat vital for plants, insects and birds.

One important landmark of Hoddesdonpark Wood is the discovery of a section of a 200-mile-long Roman Road connecting London to York. Called Ermine Street, it is believed that William the Conqueror walked on this very same road during the Norman Conquests. You may not notice it, but you are walking on Ermine Street when closing the loop on this walk.

The Way Back

Make a loop through the forest and you then follow the same route on the way back to Broxbourne Station. Come out of the woods and the lovely farm at the entrance, walk under the motorway and you are back in Barclay Park.

Once in the park, you can use different trails to go back to the entrance gate on Cock Lane. If you fancy a pub stop before making your way back to London, there are 2 pubs on the High Street in Hoddesdon:

• The White Swan, which looked very nice by the way
• The Golden Lion, which is a bit less appealing from the outside

I did not try any of these two, even though I was tempted to make a stop by the White Swan. But, in all honesty, Hoddesdon town centre was so underwhelming, that we made an executive decision to go back to London on that day. Whilst the walk through the forest was really nice and the perfect idea in this autumn season, the town itself did not really worth the detour.

Have a safe trip back!

Broxbourne Woods Walk Map

Do you want to do the same walk? Simply download the GPS map by clicking on the button below. If you need extra help, follow my step-by-step guide to learn how to upload the map onto your navigation app. For this, click here.

Final Thoughts on the Broxbourne Woods Walk

If you want to go for a walk not too far from London like the Broxbourne Woods walk, check these trails:

Circular walks in Essex: 3 loops in Epping Green

Epping Forest: A Walk Accessible By Tube

Bluebell Walk In Kent: Orpington Loop Guide & Map

Orpington to Knockholt: An Easy Sunday Walk

Sydenham Hill Wood And Cox’s Walk – Complete Guide & Map

And you, what is your favourite walk near London? Let me know in the comments below.

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