周辺の湖・トップ5

A really nice stretch of the route to apprecitate nature and the surroundings.

Need to pay for car entrance at the National Trust forest. Check opening times as they can stop letting cars in after a certain time.

Bought a coffee from the National Trust cafe and sat near to the lake in Hatfield Forrest.

This scenic fishing lake sits on the western edge of Hatfield Forest. You can enjoy the tranquil countryside setting from a bench while watching fishermen reel in their dinner. The lake holds a poignant history as the site of the tragic Korean Air Cargo Flight crash in 1999, a sombre reminder amidst its serene surroundings.

Hatfield Forest is an ancient royal hunting forest, and considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval forests in the world. In the past, deer were kept in the forest for hunting. Today you'll find deer aplenty still, though no longer pursued for the same reason. The forest boasts ancient trees, over 3,500 species of fungi, rare insects and a diverse array of birdlife. There's also a beautiful lake, café and river that meanders through.

Off-road trail from Lee Valley White Water to Rye House, through Lee Valley Country Park on well surfaced paths. Great views of Seventy Acre Lake from Fishers Green information centre. Good cafe at Hayes Hill Farm. Suitable for walking, gravel bikes and mountain bikes.

Hatfield Forest is a 403.2 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Essex, three miles east of Bishop's Stortford. It is also a National Nature Reserve and a Nature Conservation Review site. It is owned and managed by the National Trust. A medieval warren in the forest is a Scheduled Monument. Hatfield is the only remaining intact Royal Hunting Forest and dates from the time of the Norman kings. Other parts of the once extensive Forest of Essex include Epping Forest to the southwest, Hainault Forest to the south and Writtle Forest to the east. Hatfield Forest was established as a Royal hunting forest in the late eleventh century, following the introduction of fallow deer and Forest Laws were imposed on areas by the king. Deer hunting and chasing was a popular sport for Norman kings and lords and the word ‘forest’ strictly means place of deer rather than of trees. In the case of Hatfield the area under Forest Law consisted of woodlands with plains.

Great area for cycling with several route options meandering along a smattering of water channels / marshes / lakes. Tons of birdlife. Some nice opportunities to stop along the way.