Coopers Lane Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 4DG
Fir and Pond Woods
Ancient woodland
Source image
6.7
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.7A 29-hectare mix of woodland, meadow and wetland, with a medieval fish pond and a meadow dotted with old anthills.
Fir and Pond Woods offers more than a woodland stroll: the Trust describes it as the best remaining part of ancient Enfield Chase, with a meadow, wetland habitats and a medieval fish pond within the reserve.
Peaceful · Ancient-feeling · Seasonal
Find your way
Open mapCoopers Lane Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 4DG
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The experience
Explore a varied wildlife reserve across woodland, grass paths, meadow and wetland. Three marked trails are available; expect muddy conditions at times and keep dogs out of the meadow.
Things to do
Follow a marked trail
Choose the Blue, Red or Yellow marked trail to explore the reserve. The source does not provide route distances or durations.
Look for old anthills in the meadow
The ancient meadow is dotted with old anthills and supports invertebrates including butterflies and grasshoppers.
Seek out the medieval fish pond
The reserve’s description identifies a medieval fish pond as one of its distinctive features.
Watch and listen for seasonal wildlife
The Trust lists woodpeckers, nuthatches, treecreepers and wood sorrel in spring; damselflies, dragonflies and butterflies in summer; waxcaps in autumn; and fieldfares and redwings in winter.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow around 1–2 hours; exact trail duration is not stated by the source.
Quick woodland-and-meadow escape
- 01
Park in the lay-by opposite Oshwal Centre.
- 02
Choose one of the reserve’s marked Blue, Red or Yellow trails.
- 03
Include the meadow and look for its old anthills.
- 04
Return by the marked route; paths may be muddy.
Half day · Half day; suggested duration, not an official estimate.
Make time for the reserve’s habitats
- 01
Explore a marked trail through the woodland and grass paths.
- 02
Spend time in the ancient meadow, watching for invertebrates and noticing the old anthills.
- 03
Look for the medieval fish pond and the reserve’s wetland and pond habitats.
- 04
In spring or summer, listen and look for the wildlife highlights listed by the Trust.
Verified history
The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust describes the reserve as widely thought to be the best remaining part of ancient Enfield Chase. It also identifies a medieval fish pond at the site. The supplied evidence does not establish a date for the reserve’s woodland or further details about the pond’s history.
Hidden details
The meadow’s old anthills — The meadow is dotted with old anthills, a distinctive physical detail easy to miss if you hurry through.
A meadow framed by woodland and brook — At the southern end of Pond Wood, woodland borders the ancient meadow on three sides, with Turkey Brook on the fourth.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · No specific time of day is given in the supplied reserve information.
The Trust recommends April to August. It lists different wildlife highlights across spring, summer, autumn and winter, so the reserve has seasonal interest beyond its stated best-visit period.
Woodland and grass paths can be muddy. Check conditions before visiting, particularly after rain.
What to look for
In the meadow, look for the old anthills and watch for butterflies and grasshoppers. At the southern end of Pond Wood, notice how the meadow is enclosed by woodland on three sides and Turkey Brook on the fourth. The reserve also has a medieval fish pond.
The story
Ancient Enfield Chase; medieval fish pond
Best time to go
April to August, according to the reserve’s owner; seasonal wildlife highlights extend through autumn and winter.
The Trust recommends April to August. Choose a dry spell if you want firmer paths; check current conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust says the reserve is open at all times. Park in the lay-by opposite Oshwal Centre. Woodland and grass paths can be muddy.
Parking
Park in the lay-by opposite Oshwal Centre. The accepted Google pin is a main-place pin, not a verified entrance or parking location.
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs must be under effective control. Dogs are not allowed in the meadow; they are permitted under control elsewhere in the reserve.
Accessibility
Woodland and grass paths can be muddy. The supplied reserve information says the car park and entrance are not wheelchair-accessible.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Ponds; Turkey Brook borders the meadow. Swimming or paddling permission is not established.
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Fir and Pond Woods
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
