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Whippendell Woods Circular Walk

1.9 miles (3 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Explore 165 acres of ancient woodland on this circular walk through Whippendell Woods in Watford. There are a series of good trails to follow with an avenue of lime trees dating back to 1672. Other trees include oak, beech, ash and silver birch. In the spring months the woods are covered with huge numbers of pretty bluebells.
The area is also very good for wildlife spotting. Look out for birds such as woodpeckers, tawny owls and sparrow hawks. Other creatures you might see include bats, badgers and deer.
The woods were used as the location for The Gungan Forest in Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace. The video on the page shows scenes from the film.
This walk starts at the car park, just off Grove Mill Lane and takes you on a circuit around the outskirts of the wood.
It's easy to extend your walk if you have time. You can head a mile east to the nearby Cassiobury Park crossing the Grand Union Canal on the way. Also nearby is Chipperfield Common where you'll find waymarked, woodland walking trails to try.

Postcode

WD3 4TG - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Whippendell Woods OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Whippendell Woods Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

At the southern edge of the woods you can pick up the Croxley Green Boundary Walk. This waymarked circular walk explores the area around the worthy village, visiting the canal and the River Gade on the way.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Hertfordshire Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Watford, Whippendell Wood - geograph.org.uk - 70197

Footpath, field, trees, sky. Whippendell Wood viewed looking eastwards, Rousebarn Lane runs behind the hedge at the bottom of the field.

Whippendell Wood Path - geograph.org.uk - 1763439

Whippendell Wood Path The picture shows a junction of paths through the 160 acres of woodland owned and managed by Watford Borough Council 

Lees Wood Scout and Guide Activity Centre - geograph.org.uk - 2883509

Lees Wood Scout and Guide Activity Centre

Bluebells in Harrocks Wood - geograph.org.uk - 4906910

Bluebells in Harrocks Wood to the west of the woods.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Whippendell Woods.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Whippendell Woods.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)