Hertfordshire: 7 blooming beautiful places to take a walk this spring

As days of sunshine start to make an appearance all across Hertfordshire, it is time to step outside and find the serene gardens and enjoy the colour and fresh smells of the flowers in bloom.

Here are a few suggestions on where you can find the most beautiful seasonal blooms this Spring.

1. Hatfield House 

The Woodland Gardens in Hatfield House will be in full bloom this Spring. (Image: Newsquest)

The Woodland Gardens in Hatfield House is filled with swathes of daffodils in bloom. Over the years, the yellow flowers have spread and cover the grounds.

The Gardens will reopen on Saturday, April 1.

It is also worthwhile to take a walk down through the mature beech and oak trees and the still flourishing 19th century rhododendrons.

There is also a growing collection of magnolias, camellias, Prunus, Sorbus and Malus alongside the paths.

Lord and Lady Salisbury's private East Gardens will also be open to visitors each Wednesday from 10.30am to 5pm, where rare plants, parterres, and topiary can be found.

To book your tickets to see the spring bloom, go to buy.myonlinebooking.co.uk/hatfieldhouse/buy.aspx?tid=1

2. Benington Lordship House and Gardens

Benington Lordship Gardens welcomes visitors on just a few occasions of the year - including for a viewing of snowdrops in late winter and early spring. (Image: Richard Aggus)

The gardens located in Benington, just outside of Stevenage, will be open on Easter Sunday, April 9 and Monday, April 10.

Snowdrops are a speciality of the gardens as they run along the wall at the top of the moat and was planted in the early twentieth century by the present owner’s family. 

Opening the gardens at snowdrop time became an annual tradition which has continued to the present day.

Over the years, a collection of rare and unusual snowdrops has developed and many of these special plants can be found growing in the borders.

Hellebores, aconites and winter flowering shrubs are also in flower, as well as the coloured stems of acers, Cornus and willow around the ponds.

You can get tickets on the day of your visit.

3. Walkern Hall

Snowdrops are one of the highlights of a visit to Walkern Hall at this time of year. (Image: Archant)

The Walkern Hall estate located in Walkern is another area where snowdrops and daffodils envelop the area around spring time.

It is a popular wedding and events destination because of the stunning parkland that surrounds the Georgian house.

The snowdrops are also popular among photography enthusiasts.

4. Heartwood Forest, Sandridge

Bluebells in Springtime at Heartwood Forest. (Image: Archant)

Heartwood Forest is a large and mainly man-made woodland area run by Woodland Trust in Sandridge, just outside of St Albans.

It is very popular with dog walkers because of the sprawling meadow they can run through (although certain areas require dogs to be on leads).

The best place to see the bluebells in Heartwood Forest is Langley Wood.

There are a few short walking trails that will take you to the woods as well as other parts of the forest, including the Magical Woods where you will find lovely carved woodland creatures.

5. Panshanger Park

Panshanger Park is a 1,000 acre park between Welwyn Garden City and Hertford. (Image: Google - By Owner)

Panshanger Park between Welwyn Garden City and Hertford, on Thieves Lane, has a bright landscape with many species of flowers.

The 1,000-acre Grade II-listed park has several walking trails through the open parkland and the woodland areas.

If you walk to Lady Hughes Wood, which sits at the top of the hill overlooking Osprey Lake, you will find the bluebells.

Carry on to the west of the park and you will find the ruins of the grand Orangery, part of the former estate of the Cowper family.

There is also a huge great oak tree, which is a fabulous sight to see.

6. Tewin Orchard Nature Reserve

An apple tree in blossom at Tewin Orchard. (Image: Archant)

This Wildlife Trust reserve is a 79-year-old English fruit orchard standing in about 10 acres of fields and woodland in the centre of Hertfordshire.

Located on Upper Green Road in Tewin, the orchard features apples and pears and is home to a wide variety of wildlife.

When you visit the orchard, take time to look around Tewin Village, and it´s excellent footpaths and bridleways.

In Spring, the bluebells are a sight to behold, which can be found in Hopkyns Wood.

7. St Paul's Walden Bury

The gardens at St Pauls Walden Bury. (Image: Mieneke Andeweg-van Rijn / Alamy Stock Photo)

This charming stately home was the childhood home of Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, and later Queen Elizabeth II. 

Located in the village of St Paul's Walden the woodland garden is full of interesting plants, including rhododendrons and magnolias that have grown over the last 80 years.

You will also find carpets of snowdrops and bluebells.

The spectacular landscape garden, covering over 50 acres, is based on a classical formal design - long avenues of clipped beech hedges stretched out into the Hertfordshire countryside.