tried & tested

Just outside St Albans, near Sandridge, Heartwood Forest offers families plenty of space to walk, explore and enjoy the countryside. With young woodland, ancient trees, wildflower meadows and wide views across Hertfordshire, it is a lovely destination for a free family day out.

Notably, local people helped to create it. The Woodland Trust purchased the site in 2008 as part of its most ambitious woodland-creation project in England at the time.

The land was predominantly arable farmland, although it also contained four pockets of ancient woodland covering approximately 18 hectares. Over nine planting seasons, from the winter of 2009–10 to 2017–18, volunteers planted 600,000 native trees and shrubs, helping to connect and protect these older areas of woodland. Local residents, community groups and approximately 17,000 schoolchildren took part in the planting. Today, Heartwood is described by the Woodland Trust as England’s largest new native forest. Read more about Heartwood Forest’s history.

Finding your way around

Image: map of the forest as pictured at the entrance 

If this is your first visit, it is worth spending a few minutes looking at the large map near the main entrance. It shows just how extensive the forest is, as well as its ancient woodland, newly planted areas, wildflower meadows, community orchard and network of paths.

There may also be paper maps available to pick up. My children enjoyed carrying their own copies and using them to work out which paths to follow—it turned an ordinary walk into a small navigation adventure. If the maps are reusable copies, please return them at the end of your visit if you can, so that other families can enjoy them too.

Choosing a walking trail

There are three principal waymarked trails:

Magical Meander: 2.4km or approximately 1½ miles; allow around one hour.
Wildlife Wander: 4km or approximately 2½ miles; allow around 1¼ hours.
Heartwood Hike: 4.3km or approximately 2¾ miles; allow around 1½ hours.
For families with younger children,  the Magical Meander is a good choice. Its hard, wide path follows a gentle slope through the Magical Wood and is the easiest of the three routes. The other walks include more unsurfaced tracks, which can become muddy during wet weather. You can find current access information on the Woodland Trust’s Heartwood Forest page.

Magical Meander

Image: a magical creature is hiding in this tree

Part of the fun of the Magical Meander is looking for the tiny wooden woodland creatures tucked among the trees. You can encourage children to keep their eyes open for characters hiding along the route, including a little wooden owl watching from the branches.

There are benches placed at convenient points along the way, providing welcome opportunities for smaller walkers to rest. You will also come across dedicated recreational areas where there is more room to stop, play or simply enjoy the surroundings.

Image: picnic area with wooden tables

Approximately halfway around the Magical Meander, you will find a picnic area with several rustic wooden tables and benches. It is a good place to pause for lunch or a snack before continuing your walk.

Before you visit

There are no toilets within Heartwood Forest itself; the nearest public toilets are at Sandridge Village Hall. We also did not find anywhere to refill water bottles, so bring plenty of drinks—particularly when visiting with children on a hot day.

Many routes include open stretches with relatively little shade, and the paths can become muddy in wet weather. Check the conditions before setting out and bring sun hats and sun cream in summer or suitable boots after rain.

Please also stick to the marked paths, as not all land is openly accessible.

Heartwood Forest is a wonderful example of what a community can help to create.

Whether your children enjoy following a map, searching for hidden creatures, picnicking among the trees or simply running through the open countryside, the Magical Meander makes a very manageable and enjoyable family walk close to St Albans.