Willowmead

Willowmead Nature Reserve

Willowmead Nature Reserve  © Charlotte Hussey 

Willowmead

A small reserve situated next to the River Mimram which is home to plentiful birdlife, including kingfishers.

Location

At the end of Becketts, a cul-de-sac off the westbound A414 out of Hertford
Hertford
Hertfordshire
SG14 2AN

OS Map Reference

TL 314 121
A static map of Willowmead

Know before you go

Size
2 hectares
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Walking trails

Ground conditions can be very wet and there are no clearly defined footpath routes through the site.

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Access

There are no clearly defined paths around the reserve and the terrain can be difficult.

Dogs

image/svg+xmlDogs permitted

When to visit

Opening times

Open every day

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

Willowmead is a small area of wet alder carr woodland, situated adjacent to the River Mimram. Many of the alder trees are of considerable age and multi-stemmed, evidence of past management. Water voles have been recorded along the river and Kingfishers and wintering siskins are present. Great spotted woodpecker, song thrush, nuthatch and treecreeper breed in the woodland, whilst mallard, moorhen and coot breed along the river and its edge.

Seasonal Highlights
Spring:
 Common frog, grass snake, great spotted woodpecker.
Summer: Dragonflies, kingfisher, nuthatch, song thrush.
Autumn/ Winter: Lesser redpoll, siskin.

Directions

Site entrance: Via a gate from Becketts (cul-de-sac). Gate next to the river, past last house on left.

Access by road: From Hertford head west on A414 Hertingfordbury Road. Go under railway line and over roundabout. Take next left into Becketts.

Access by public transport
Bus:
380 – A414, Hertingfordbury Road (0.2 miles).
Rail: Hertford North (0.7 miles).

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It costs on average £30 per month to care for each acre of our nature reserves.
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