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Best parks in Hertfordshire

Dec 20, 2022
Cassiobury Park
Sitting next door to Chiltern Hills and the southeastern coast, Hertfordshire is home to beautiful, vast green spaces to explore. Whether you need to take your dog for a walk, love the adrenaline of an evening run or simply want to relax, you are in the right place. Below we've rounded up the best five parks in this part of the East of England, including information on facilities and accessibility. 

• Cassiobury Park 
• Bushey Rose Garden
• Cedars Park
• Verulamium Park
• Aldenham Country Park
 

Cassiobury Park

Covering more than 200 acres, Cassiobury Park is the largest park in Watford. It was voted among Britain's best well-kept green spaces by Keep Britain Tidy in 2017 and award the Green Flag. It was used as a film location for several movies, including Star Wars, and boasts excellent facilities for adults and children. Below are just some of them:

 

• Paddling pools

• Bandstand

• Miniature railway

• Walking trails, suitable for all experience levels

• Café

 

Opening times: Every day from 07:45 to 22:00

Find out more: https://www.watford.gov.uk/cassioburypark

 

Bushey Rose Garden

Located in Bushey, 2 miles away from Watford, Bushey Rose Garden is a charming 20th-century garden, regularly voted among Hertfordshire's best parks. It was designed by Thomas Mawson and is split into three sections – the Sunken Garden, the Lawn and the Rose Walk. It is home to more than 40 varieties of roses and some brilliant attractions and facilities:

 

• The Summer House

• Lululaund Plaque

• Rose Temple

• Rose Walk

• The Sunken Garden

• The Cloisters

• Disabled Access and Toilets

 

Opening times: Every day from 07:30 to 16:00

Find out more: https://www.parksherts.co.uk/parks/view/bushey-rose-garden

Cedars Park

Steeped in history, Cedars Park's grounds retain national importance as they were once the royal residence of Theobalds Palace. It is situated on the outskirts of Waltham Cross and officially opened in 1921. Today, the park benefits from excellent facilities suitable for all visitors. Below are a few:

 

• Cedars Nature Centre

• Ruins of Theobalds Palace

• Pond

• Play Maze

• Disabled Access and Toilets

• Café

 

Opening times: Every day from 07:00 to 20:00

Find out more: https://www.parksherts.co.uk/parks/view/cedars-park

Verulamium Park

Consistently rated among Herts' best parks, Verulamium Park covers 100 acres of glorious parkland in the heart of St Albans. It is named after the Roman city it stands on, with the city wall and the London Gate still in place. The park has plenty to offer, from its ornamental lake and the water birds that inhabit it to beach courts and an outdoor fitness area. But this is not all. Below are other attractions and facilities to enjoy:

 

• Verulamium Museum

• Verulamium Spa

• Model boating lake

• Disabled access and toilets

• Café

• Children’s playground area

 

This beautiful park is also home to some exciting events, including St Albans Half Marathon, Race for Life and the fireworks display in November.

 

Opening times: Open 24/7

Find out more: https://www.enjoystalbans.com/listing/verulamium-park/

Aldenham Country Park

Covering 100 acres of spectacular countryside, Aldenham Country Park is one of Herts' best country parks. It is situated in Aldenham and is run by a non-profit organisation. Here you can get up close with the animals, climb, swing, zip and much more. And if you love camping, you can even book campfires, straw bales and barbecues!

 

Opening times: Every day between 08:30 and 21:00

Find out more: https://www.aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk/

 

If you want to explore more of Hertfordshire's glorious open countryside, our guide to the top 5 walking routes can help you. Discover what this versatile county has to offer, from the tasty local cuisine to its exciting attractions. 

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