6.3
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.3A Jacobean manor stands within a rare surviving 18th-century landscape of ornamental water, medieval fishing ponds, a walled garden, meadows and streams. The estate offers a striking change of pace within leafy Enfield, with an established circular walk linking the hall and its surrounding countryside.
Forty Hall makes its appeal through the unusual layering of a Grade I listed Jacobean house and a broad historic landscape: medieval fishing ponds, an ornamental lake, streams, gardens and meadows all sit within the estate. It is a substantial place to explore, not just a house-front photo stop.
Peaceful · Atmospheric · Grand
Find your way
Open mapEnfield, Greater London, EN2 9HA
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Take a short look around the hall and gardens, or make more time for the 2.8-mile circular route through estate paths, fields and woodland, passing Turkey Brook and Archers Wood.
Things to do
Walk the Forty Hall circular
A 2.8-mile loop from the car park passes Forty Hall, crosses surrounding fields and follows Turkey Brook towards Archers Wood before returning to the estate. The route is described as easy; conditions can be muddy or slippery.
1–1.5 hours walking
Explore the house and its exhibition
See the Jacobean hall’s period rooms and permanent exhibition about the estate and its original owner, Sir Nicholas Rainton. Check current opening arrangements before planning an interior visit.
Look around the historic water landscape
The estate includes an ornamental lake, medieval fishing ponds and streams. Take time to notice how these features sit among the gardens, pleasure grounds, lawns and meadows.
Visit the walled garden
Explore the walled garden as part of a wider look around the house and its historic grounds.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 1 hour
Quick Escape: hall and garden
- 01
Begin at Forty Hall and take in the Jacobean house and its setting.
- 02
Explore the gardens and nearby historic parkland; check whether the hall is open if you want to go inside.
- 03
Finish with a short look at the estate’s water features and lawns.
Half day · Around 2–3 hours
Make a half day of it: the Forty Hall circular
- 01
Start at the car park and walk past Forty Hall.
- 02
Follow the circular route through the surrounding fields towards Turkey Brook and Archers Wood.
- 03
Return through the estate and allow time for the hall, gardens or café if open.
Verified history
Forty Hall is a Grade I listed Jacobean manor house associated with Sir Nicholas Rainton, its original owner. The official estate describes the 273-acre grounds as a rare example of an intact 18th-century landscape, with medieval fishing ponds and streams alongside an ornamental lake, walled garden, pleasure grounds, lawns and meadows. The house’s permanent exhibition interprets the estate’s history and Rainton’s life.
Hidden details
Medieval waterworks within the estate landscape — Look for the medieval fishing ponds and streams among the later parkland features; they reveal that the grounds’ history reaches further back than the Jacobean house.
The landscape beyond the hall — The hall is only one part of the estate: its historic setting includes a walled garden, pleasure grounds, ornamental lake, lawns and meadows.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · Morning for a quieter walk and time to explore the grounds.
Spring to early autumn offers longer daylight for combining the circular walk with the house and gardens. The paths remain an option year-round, but wet weather can make sections muddy or slippery.
The circular route may be muddy or slippery after rain. Wear suitable footwear and check conditions before setting out.
The route
- ascent
- 118 ft
- surface
- Natural (45%), gravel (15%), with other sections listed as unknown; a very small paved section is reported.
- distance
- 2.8 miles
- duration
- 1–1.5 hours
- difficulty
- Easy
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Car park; use the accepted main-place pin for the destination, not as a verified entrance pin.
- parking start
- The route description starts at the car park. The source row lists on-site and free parking; check current arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- Take a shorter out-and-back look around the hall and nearby gardens; no measured short-route details were supplied.
- Forty Hall, a Grade I listed Jacobean manor house
- Fields and the Turkey Brook
- Archers Wood, where deer may be seen
- Estate lakes, ponds, streams and walled garden
What to look for
Notice how the hall, walled garden, ornamental lake, medieval fishing ponds, streams and open meadows form distinct parts of one historic estate landscape. The circular route passes Turkey Brook and Archers Wood, where deer may be seen.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
Spring to early autumn for gardens, greener paths and longer daylight; the estate’s historic features and walking routes can be enjoyed throughout the year.
A clear, dry day is helpful for the longer circular walk; trail information reports muddy or slippery sections in wet conditions. Check opening details before visiting.
How long to spend
1–2 hours; half day
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Families · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 8am-6pm
- Tuesday: 8am-6pm
- Wednesday: 8am-6pm
- Thursday: 8am-6pm
- Friday: 8am-6pm
- Saturday: 8am-7pm
- Sunday: 8am-7pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The official estate website says entry is free. The country park is shown with an accessible entrance and car park in the supplied place information. Check current access, opening arrangements and any restrictions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
The source place information lists on-site parking and free parking. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Public toilets are listed in the supplied place information; check availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The official website identifies the Cedar Tree Café at the estate. Check current opening times.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are listed as allowed in the supplied place information. Check current estate rules and any restrictions.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied place information lists a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. The circular route includes natural and gravel surfaces, so check route conditions and suitability before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
Ornamental lake, medieval fishing ponds and streams
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Forty Hall Country Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
