Lakes, woodland, rare chalk river, quiet paths
2.97 miles (4.77 km)
A great amount of effort has been put into the development of Panshanger Park, once a series of quarries but now a beautiful nature reserve with the River Mimram - one of only 180 chalk rivers in the world - running through the site. There are several picturesque lakes, well sign-posted woodland trails, a free car park, and an area for picnics. The reserve is popular with dog walkers, especially at the weekend. The majority are responsible and clear up after their pets, but the area close to the car park can be a bit of a dog mess mine field at times.
Directions
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Take the path to the right of the metal gate and climb the hill into the woodland Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Take the path to the right and continue north into the woodland Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Continue N along the eastern edge of Blakemore Wood Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Look to the right of the clump of trees and take the sandy path that leaves the woodland Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Continue N along the sandy path until you reach the northern edge of Panshanger Park Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Still following the edge of the wood, the path then turns left again to head ESE before turning right to head S. It then turns right and heads W, now following the southern edge of Evergreen Wood.
4: When you arrive at a footpath T-junction turn left and head S to another footpath T-junction. Here you have a good view over to Osprey Lake to the south.
5: Turn right at this footpath T-junction and continue east. Look out for an amazing old oak tree on your right.
This is point 16 in our longer Panshanger walk, Walk 80: Panshanger Park Long Loop 4.75 miles.
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Turn right and head W looking out for a metal gate and footpath on your left Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Go through the metal gate towards Riverside Lake Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Stop and enjoy the view from the bench overlooking Kings Lake Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Damselflies close to Kings Lake Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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The path running E along the southern edge of Kings Lake Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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The shallow beach on the River Mimram east of Kings Lake Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Notice about the River Mimram Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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Turn left and cross the bridge over the River Mimram Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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The gate leading to the path back to the car park Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
Note: Panshanger Park is a 1,000 acre site owned by Tarmac and managed by Herts County Council and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust for the benefit of both people and wildlife.
Interactive map
A brief history of Panshanger Park
(Text from the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust website)
"Owned by the Cowper family from the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the Panshanger Estate was shaped around the Mimram Valley following advice from Humphry Repton and Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Panshanger Park is registered as a Grade: II* park and garden by Historic England. More recently since the 1980s, the park has been owned by Tarmac and parts have been quarried for sand and gravel. Much of the site has now been restored to arable farming and a range of valuable wildlife habitats including a new section of chalk river and a number of lakes. The park opened to the public on 31 March 2014 and comprises a country park and nature reserve. More of the site will be opened up in a series of carefully managed phases as the remaining extraction processes on site come to an end."