It’s rather telling of the times we’re living in that woodland “den building” has become an advertised activity. But if that’s what has to be done to get kids playing outdoors, then so be it. If your offspring require some inspiration for their den building, look no further than Heartwood Forest near St Albans. This newly planted forest with pockets of ancient woodland is an impressive project created by the Woodland Trust.
Heartwood bluebells
Den building at Heartwood
We visited Heartwood at the start of May and were rewarded with carpets of bluebells in Langley Woods, one of the ancient woodland areas. It is here that you’ll also find the den building area, which on our visit was packed with families picnicking in the shade of the oak and hornbeam trees.
Families enjoying Langley Wood
As well as bluebells, we spotted a variety of other wildflowers including elegant Lords and Ladies, Yellow Archangel and Stitchwort. There were some brilliant mature trees in Langley Wood, we particularly liked a stand of hornbeams which looked like a group of ghostly figures.
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- Yellow Archangel
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- Stitchwort
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- Lords and Ladies
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- Birdseye Speedwell
Hornbeams of Heartwood
Thanks to thousands of volunteers over the last ten years, Heartwood Forest has been transformed from what was predominantly arable land into a 347 hectare site with over half a million newly planted trees. The Woodland Trust has also created new hedgerows to provide an important habitat for wildlife.
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- New hedgerows at Heartwood Forest
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- Heartwood hedgerows
Pathways through the new growth forest
Heartwood has walking trails for all abilities including paths suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. There are bridleways for horses and bikes are also welcome. Aside from Langley Wood, children will enjoy the 1.5 mile Magical Meander through one of the new woodland areas. Along the way you’ll spot carved wooden creatures, reflecting the range of wildlife at Heartwood.
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- Endless paths weave through Heartwood
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- Pathway to the car park at Heartwood
Information boards at Heartwood
Heartwood features a community orchard which includes old local varieties of apples and pears plus an arboretum containing all 60 native UK tree species. I’m looking forward to returning to Heartwood in the summertime to see the wildflower meadows, I’ve seen some lovely photos on Instagram of cornflowers (my favourite), oxeye daisies and poppies amid the tall grasses.
Langley Wood
There are plenty of events planned by the Woodland Trust to entice visitors to Heartwood including guided walks, children’s activities such as nature detective experiences plus a summer festival.
Refreshments: We haven’t eaten out in this part of Hertfordshire but the pubs in the surrounding villages look very appealing. Take a look at post about family friendly pubs in Hertfordshire for ideas.
Parking and transport: Heartwood Forest is 4km from St Albans train station (20 minutes from London), otherwise there is a large car park at the forest (postcode AL4 9DQ) and further parking (plus toilets) in nearby Sandridge village.
More family-friendly walks in Hertfordshire:
The best bluebell woods in Hertfordshire
Mardley Heath near Welwyn Garden City
I think it’s brilliant that they’ve created a new wood. Ok, it might be a busy visitor attraction, but if it gets people out and interested in nature, then that has to be good. Beautiful pics!
Thanks. Yes, I agree it’s definitely a good thing. And there’s plenty of reasons to visit al the year round.
Would love to see those pretty bluebell flowers! And this forest looks awesome! I’d totally visit! #FarawayFiles
It’s such a great project, I’m looking forward to returning over the next few years to see how it evolves.
This looks like a fantastic place for den building. I know our boys would love it! I’m all for imaginative ways to get families out and enjoying the great outdoors. Can’t believe how close this is to London too. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Yes, really easy to get to if you put bikes on the train. I hope it proves popular this summer.
Such a pretty place, I love those hornbeams in Langley Wood. It’s funny, I don’t ever recall hearing about “denbuilding” back in the states, and I lived and played in places during my childhood that were “wild.” I think we were building similar things but we called them forts. Thanks for the links to Woodland Trust, I want to learn more about their work, too. #FarawayFiles
Interesting how we use such different words to describe the same thing!
What a lovely way to enjoy a family day out at this time of year. It looks very well organised with the trails there and plenty of space so it doesn’t feel too busy. I must say visiting with the bluebells out makes the woodland look so pretty and what child can resist a den building opportunity. You remind me that we could do with some new branches in our den building area.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CoutnryKids
It’s a great spot, and good to see so many people using it.
A shame St Albans is so far from me as this sounds like a perfect home ed day out for us. I must make time to just take them to the foret.
Check out the Woodland Trust website, really useful resource.
I only found out about Heartwood Forest after I moved away from WGC, I can’t believe I lives in Herts for 16 years and was oblivious. It looks great fun. Mich x
You’ll have to return for a visit some time!
Oh this is exactly the kind of thing I would love to do with my family! My kids are little wild free-spirits and would totally relish den-building and exploring the wood. I love all of the paths that are available for riding, and those bluebells are something straight out of a dream! #MondayEscapes
What an absolutely stunning forest! We don’t really get anything like that near us in Glasgow. I could imagine Robin Hood and his merry men about those grounds..
What a beautiful place to explore, just our kind of place #CountryKids
Oh I wish I still had den builders! We used to do this on the Oregon Coast with all the drift wood that would wash ashore. What a beautiful day out with your littles. And thank you for naming the wildflowers – I love the “lords and ladies!” #FarawayFiles
The lords and ladies look completely different by the end of summer, they have bright red berries on, quite a transformation!
What a wonderful looking forest. Sadly a bit far for us to travel to, but my kids would love those trees and we like den building too. #Adventurecalling
The dens are great, there were so many children there when we visited!
I have to agree that it is a bit of a shame that den building had become an advertised activity. It seems many of the things that we played as children has take a similar turn (I saw French Skipping and Cats Cradle kits for sale!! We used a bit of knicker elastic and some wool!)
Anyway, Heartwood sounds like an amazing day to immerse into nature. I love that they also have a community orchard, I do love projects that bring people together along with food.
#adventurecalling
I agree, I’m looking forward to learning more about the orchard as it grows!
Heartwood sounds idyllic! I love a good wood especially when it’s hot outside. We’re trying to teach our little about the fun of den building, I think it’s working as he got right into helping build one at a festival the other day. Beautiful photos #countrykids
Thanks. Yes, it’s such a fun thing to do with kids. Although my boys prefer using ones that have already been built!
Wow the forest looks so pretty. Mini M loves den building #countrykids
You had me at the bluebells! I also love those hornbeam trees – how gnarled and beautiful they look! This place looks like a real wonderland, well done Woodland Trust for all the conservation and replanting.
#CountryKids
Yes, it’s an amazing project with so many people involved.
That den is very impressive and it’s great to read there are so many events on there to entice people to visit #CountryKids
Yes, there’s some really interesting events coming up
I had never heard of den building. This is the perfect spot! I would really enjoy this. How fun for kids, too!
Looks like a great adventure and perfect place to wander. Kids love this kind of thing and me too!
Thanks for the share!
#adventurecalling
What a beautiful place! And you’re right – the hornbeams look magical
#adventurecalling
What. A perfect spot for a family day out. My boys build dens where ever we are, forests, our back garden! It’s their no one fave thing to do! #MondayEscapes
I agree, it’s definitely a sign of the times that we now have advertised spaces for things like this. That said, and I completely agree again, anything that gets kids exploring the outdoors should be celebrated. What an achievement too, to develop this vast woodland from its previous arable state. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling . We open for new posts again tomorrow morning.
What an amazing project, it will be great to revisit over the years as the new woodland and hedges take shape. I bet it looked amazing with the bluebells, and will continue to change throughout the seasons. Thanks so much for sharing with us #AdventureCalling
Yes, it’s an impressive accomplishment. I’m looking forward to returning!