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Sign and view on the Filtch Way, next to the entrance into Hatfield Forest.

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.

Insure the gates are closed after you, watch out for sudden dips and holes if you’re riding cross-country and take your time.

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.

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.

The soup of the day is a nice treat to warm you up after a stroll around the forest.

Great for a beverage or ice cream after a long walk!