Waterford Heath

A locally rare open habitat in Hertfordshire, where grizzled skipper butterflies feed on wild strawberry.

Location

Vicarage Lane, Waterford

Hertford

Hertfordshire

SG14 3LU

OS Map Reference

TL 318 150

Know before you go

Size

39 hectares

Parking information

Reserve car park on Vicarage Lane with further residential parking in Sacombe Road at southern end of site.

Walking trails

The Chalk Stream and Heath walk is waymarked, approximately two miles long and takes in the best of the heathland, the River Beane and the nearby Waterford Marsh. The reserve has a number of other nonmarked walking tracks.

Access

Some paths on the South Heath can become very muddy during the winter and care is needed on the steeper slopes.

Dogs

Under effective control

Facilities

Picnic area

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

A former sand and gravel quarry, this wonderfully varied reserve has a range of habitats. Visitors have a chance to see birds of prey hunting over the open ground of the North Heath, dragonflies and kingfishers by the River Beane and woodpeckers and treecreepers among the large oak, ash and hazel trees in Great Mole Wood. In the autumn and winter fieldfares and redwings are regular visitors.

Directions

Site entrance: The main entrance is located on Vicarage Lane with others located on Bullsmill Lane, Sacombe Road and from Waterford Marsh.

Access by road: From Waterford, take the A119 northbound. Turn right into Vicarage Lane and follow the road over the railway bridge. The reserve is on your left.

Access by public transport
Bus: 390 – Waterford High Road, opp Vicarage Lane (0.5 miles).
Rail: Hertford North and Hertford East (1.9 miles).

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