Broxbourne and Bencroft Woods
Open all year
Ancient woodland close to Brickendon Village, 4 Routes and 13 Points of Interest.
Acorn Seats
Artwork
Sculpture no. 2, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here
This seat in the shape of acorns and lobed leaves is carved from local oak. This bold sculpture invites you to seit and connect with the wood from the mightly oak, a tree of power, strength and safety.
Charcoal Burner
Artwork
Sculpture no. 4, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here
A blackened figure stands alone with his tools. his job was to build and fire a clamp. The clamp was a large carefully piled mound of harvested wood, which was then lit and covered with earth. This was how charcoal was produced from the hornbeam trees still found here.
East Car Park – Broxbourne Woods
Car Park
Free car park with disabled spaces. Off Pembridge Lane, Broxbourne. Directions here
Herder
Artwork
Sculpture no 9, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here
A life size carving of a herder, looking for his cattle amongst the woodland foliage. Boundary ditches still remain in the area as evidence that the land was at one time used to graze cattle.
Hornbeam Fruit
Artwork
Sculpture no. 7, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here
Hornbeams, along with oaks are native to these woods. This carving depicts the distinctive winged fruits, having blown from the tree and settled, hoping to start its journey of life as a hornbeam.
Peasant Woman and Child
Artwork
Sculpture no 8, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here
A life size carving of a peasant woman and child foraging for wild fruits, berries and nuts. this free source of food would have been an important supplement to a peasants diet.
Pulley Seat
Artwork
Sculpture no 5, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here
This curved seat represents one of the uses for hornbeam wood. The hardwearing timber would have been harvested from these woodlands during WW2 to make rifle butts and pulleys.
Roman Soldier
Artwork
Sculpture no 1, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here
Stumble across a life size roman soldier standing guard close to Ermine Street, an ancient road built to link London to York.
Stag
Artwork
Scultpure no. 3, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here.
Find the right spot on the bridge and you will be rewarded with a view of a magnificent stag among the trees.
West Car Park – Broxbourne Woods
Car Park
Free car park with disabled spaces available. Off Brickendon Green, Directions here
Wild Boar
Artwork
Sculpture no 6, part of the easy access 1km circular route. Leaflet available here
Not as pretty as the domestic pig, these hairy and horned beasts once roamed our woodlands, grubbing around for acorns and other tasty nibbles. The boar would have been hunted and later farmed for its pork-like meat.
Park Information
Part of Hertfordshire’s only National Nature Reserve (NNR) and also recognised as a Special Area of Conservation of European importance, the Woods are home to a host of woodland wildlife including iconic species such as Purple Emperor, Great Crested Newt and the newly returned Woodcock.
The woods are part of a wider, very large area of Sessile Oak and Hornbeam woodland at the northernmost part of its natural range. Both woods contain protected Sites of Special Scientific Interest, one area in Broxbourne Wood undergoing significant restoration to a more open landscape with grazing animals.
Both woods have waymarked walking routes with Broxbourne Woods home to an Easy Access Sculpture Trail. Further information on these and how to access the 17.5km National Nature Reserve (NNR) Trail, can be found in the leaflet here.Â
On Site Facilities
- Car Park (Free)
- Disabled Access
- Dogs Welcome
- Pushchair Friendly Paths
Park Routes
How to get here
Parking:There are 2 small car parks serving each woodland area.
Broxbourne East Car Park, Disabled Parking Available. Off Pembridge Lane, Broxbourne. Directions here
Broxbourne West Car Park, Disabled Parking Available. Off  Brickendon Green, Directions here
Bencroft East Car Park, Directions here
Bencroft West Car Park, Directions here
Public Transport Information:Further information on public transport is available here: www.intalink.org.uk and www.nationalrail.co.ukÂ
Cycling:Cycling access from White Stubbs Lane
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