The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Takeley

Sign and view on the Filtch Way, next to the entrance into Hatfield Forest.

Need to pay for car entrance at the National Trust forest. Check opening times as they can stop letting cars in after a certain time.

Bought a coffee from the National Trust cafe and sat near to the lake in Hatfield Forrest.

Insure the gates are closed after you, watch out for sudden dips and holes if you’re riding cross-country and take your time.

Hatfield Forest is an ancient royal hunting forest, and considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval forests in the world. In the past, deer were kept in the forest for hunting. Today you'll find deer aplenty still, though no longer pursued for the same reason. The forest boasts ancient trees, over 3,500 species of fungi, rare insects and a diverse array of birdlife. There's also a beautiful lake, café and river that meanders through.

Hatfield Forest is a 403.2 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Essex, three miles east of Bishop's Stortford. It is also a National Nature Reserve and a Nature Conservation Review site. It is owned and managed by the National Trust. A medieval warren in the forest is a Scheduled Monument. Hatfield is the only remaining intact Royal Hunting Forest and dates from the time of the Norman kings. Other parts of the once extensive Forest of Essex include Epping Forest to the southwest, Hainault Forest to the south and Writtle Forest to the east. Hatfield Forest was established as a Royal hunting forest in the late eleventh century, following the introduction of fallow deer and Forest Laws were imposed on areas by the king. Deer hunting and chasing was a popular sport for Norman kings and lords and the word ‘forest’ strictly means place of deer rather than of trees. In the case of Hatfield the area under Forest Law consisted of woodlands with plains.

St John The Evangelist Church, Bush End In 1850’s there was a move by the gentry to construct Churches to provide a Christian faith for the less fortunate. On Friday 5th August 1859 the consecration of this neat little structure, situated in the ancient forest of Hatfield, and on what was formerly considered the most wild and destitute part of the parish. Two notable men lay at the heart of the Church. These being: John Archer Houblon Rev. Thomas Francis Hall The early years…….  The church was built in the Gothic style favoured at that time  The foundation stone was laid on 8th July 1856 and can be seen on the outside of the south-east end of the church, it reads:  “To the glory of the eternal Trinity. This dedication stone of the church of St John the Evangelist was laid July 8 1856 by Sarah daughter of the late Stanes Chamberlyne Esq. formerly of the Ryes in this parish”. The connection with Hatfield Forest The names of the Houblon family and the Rev T Hall occur many times in the history of the church. The Houblon family owned Hallingbury Park that once stood adjacent to the forest. It was used as a hunting forest and they enjoyed country pursuits by the lake. Indeed the famous landscape gardener Capability Brown redesigned the lake and surrounding parkland. The stained glass windows of the apse of St Peter was presented by Georgina Anne Archer Houblon in 1857. The centre window is that of the patronal dedication - St John the Evangelist. This was given in memory of Robert Impey first born child of Thomas Hall MA Vicar of the parish and Mary Phillippa his wife. The right hand window was presented by Joseph Clarke Esq. the Diocesan architect in 1844. There are also two in Hatfield Heath church in memory of Mr Hall’s infant daughter Mary jane who died from scarlet fever in 1844. Mr Hall himself died in 1858 one year before the consecration of the two churches that he brought into being. Indeed it was said that he died in consequence from anxiety, of frequent disappointment and of over exertion in his endeavors to get the churches built! Mr Houblon indeed was to say at the consecration “….had he lived to see these churches consecrated he was sure it would have been one of the happiest days of his life.” The Parish of Bush End…. The power of faith….  In 1864 Bush End became a separate parish but was resided by the vicar of Hatfield Broad oak as was Hatfield Heath. In 1929 the living became vacant and since that date has been linked with that of Broad Oak. Indeed the name Broad Oak is linked to that of the famous Doodle Oak tree that stood in the Hatfield Forest parkland.  The church has an early english inscription of the ten commandments written in red and black. It is worthy of record that whereas the neighbourhood used formerly to be the most notorious for thieves, poachers and deer stealers, not one of the reverend’s gentlemen’s flock has been before the magistrate since the vicar was resident within them! Dedication of organ as a war memorial at Bush End….. Within the church there once was a church organ donated by the Rev. F W Galpin as a memorial to those who fell in the great war 1914-1919 within the parish. The only evidence today is the brass plaque that would have been located on the organ. It’s cost was £200 but sadly this memorial was either sold or donated to another church.

Good for morning fuel at the west end of the Flitch Way. Open: 9:00-14:30 Weekdays, 09:30-13:30 Weekends. https://order.storekit.com/the-coffee-shop/menu