The best walks and hikes around Hodgemoor Wood

The main car park for Hodgemoor Wood is located on Bottrells Lane. It serves as a convenient starting point for many trails, including the popular Great Beard's Wood and Coleshill loop. It's a good idea to arrive early, especially on weekends, as it can get busy.

Yes, Hodgemoor Wood is very popular with dog walkers. The extensive network of paths provides plenty of space for dogs to explore. As it is a multi-use woodland with horse riders and cyclists, it's important to keep dogs under control, especially on shared bridleways.

Absolutely. The woodland's gentle terrain is ideal for families. For a shorter, manageable outing, consider the Hodgemoor Wood loop from Seer Green. It's a relatively flat, 2-mile (3.3 km) walk that can be completed in under an hour, making it perfect for little legs.

The best time to see the spectacular bluebell displays is in the spring, typically from late April to mid-May. The woodland floor becomes carpeted in blue and violet, creating a beautiful scene for a walk. The air is also often filled with the scent of wild garlic during this time.

The nearest train stations are Seer Green & Jordans and Amersham, both on the Chiltern Railways line from London Marylebone. From the stations, you can walk to the woods. For instance, the walk from Seer Green station to the edge of the wood is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km).

Yes, the surrounding villages offer several options. Coleshill, which is on the route of the Netherland Wood Trails – Hodgemoor Wood loop, has traditional pubs. The nearby village of Seer Green also has pubs that are popular with walkers.

The trails are a mix of wide, well-maintained footpaths and narrower, earthier tracks. As an ancient woodland, the ground can become very muddy and slippery after rainfall, especially in autumn and winter. Sturdy, waterproof footwear is recommended for most of the year.

Yes, Hodgemoor Wood is a multi-use site. There is a network of permissive bridleways for horse riders and trails for cyclists. There is even a dedicated area with bumps and jumps for mountain bikers. Walkers should be aware that they may be sharing paths with riders and cyclists.

For those seeking a longer walk, the Shardeloes Lake – Old Amersham loop from Coleshill is a great option. This 11.8-mile (19 km) route extends beyond the woods towards the picturesque Shardeloes Lake and historic Old Amersham, offering a more varied and challenging day of hiking.

Hodgemoor Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with rich biodiversity. You can expect to see a variety of woodland birds. In the summer, look out for butterflies like the white admiral and purple hairstreak. The wood is also known for its incredible variety of fungi, with over 700 species identified.

The area is highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.6 stars from over 1,300 reviews. Hikers frequently praise the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient woodland, the well-marked path network, and the beautiful seasonal displays, particularly the bluebells in spring.