Parks and Open Spaces in Welwyn Garden City
This page gives information on parks and open spaces in Welwyn Garden City, which are in alphabetical order by name. Parks are open all year round, unless otherwise stated. If you would like a park added please do get in touch.
Danesbury Park: North Welwyn
Danesbury is a historic parkland once linked to Danesbury House. It is now managed extensively using rare-breed cattle and occasional cutting. This kind of grassland is now rare in the county as a result of changes in farming practice, losses arising from development and management neglect. Even with this, Danesbury still has a wide variety of flowering plants which support insects and, therefore, also birds. At North Ride, Welwyn, AL6 9SA.
Digswell Playing Fields: Welwyn
A large open space which borders the magnificent and historic Digswell viaduct. The park has a children’s play area, small pond and has river Mimram flowing along one side. Digswell Playing Fields is the home of Digswell Tennis Club. At Station Road, Digswell, Welwyn Garden City, AL6 0DG.
Haldens Park: North Welwyn
There is a small wildlife pond and an open green space surrounded by pretty woodland, perfect for playing games or chasing around. The main route is a tree-lined path through the centre of the park. At Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1BX.
King George V Playing Field: Welwyn Garden City
King George V Playing Fields is a large grassed area close to QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City. The park has a Pavilion and offers a range of activities including exercise classes, 2 tennis courts, 2 floodlit bowling greens, a children’s playground, 2 basketball courts and skate park/multi-games area. At Beehive Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4BP.
Mardley Heath: Welwyn/Datchworth
This is a large wood extending to 37 hectares, regenerating naturally following gravel extraction in the 20th century. In mediaeval times it was wood pasture common where local people grazed animals, gathered fuel and fed their pigs on acorns. There is a car park on Heath Road, an easy access trail close by and a longer perimeter trail for horse-riders and cyclists. At Heath Road, Welwyn, AL6 0TP.
Moneyhole Lane Playing Fields: Welwyn/Panshanger
Moneyhole Lane Playing Fields provides a variety of outdoor sports activities including; a multi-activity area, 3 youth football pitches, a floodlit tennis court and children’s playground. The fields have open boundaries on the east side that lead to conservation woodland and are bordered by the Lafarge gravel extraction land and Panshanger Aerodrome. At Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2RT.
Sherrardspark Wood: Welwyn
An oak and hornbeam woodland which expands for approximately 200 acres. The wood is home to a wide range of local wildlife, including Muntjac deer, foxes, and squirrels. In the tree tops you may catch a glimpse of woodpeckers and hawks, or the more plentiful thrushes, robins, tits, wrens, and jays. There is a small car park on the north side off Rectory Road and many other entrances from residential roads in Welwyn Garden City, including Reddings, Pentley Park and Woodland Rise. located in the north west of Welwyn Garden City.
Singlers Marsh: Welwyn
This wet meadow lies adjacent to the River Mimram, which runs through Old Welwyn. Singlers Marsh comprises a section of regionally important chalk river and low woodland meadows. The mosaic of grassland, willow scrub, and more mature trees attract a wide range of wildlife especially plants of wet meadows, insects, and birds. In the summer months it is also home to visiting wildlife. The marsh can be accessed via several kissing gates along Fulling Mill Lane.
Stanborough Park: Welwyn
Enjoy a visit to Stanborough Park, a beautiful countryside park, with 2 lakes covering an area of 126 acres, on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City. Home of Stanborough Park Activity Centre, on the South Lake you can experience Sailing, Kayaking, Canoeing and Stand Up Paddleboarding in one of their many activity sessions. Facilities include: Nature Trail, Childrens Play Area, Watersports Activity Centre, Rowing Boats, Pedal Boats and Water Walkers, Model Boating Lake, Nature walks and orienteering trails. At Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6DF. Pay and Display Car Parks available on both sides of the park. Park open all year round. Reception opening time: April to end September – 7 days a week; October to end March – Monday to Friday.
The Commons: Welwyn
This area lies around the southern boundaries of the QEII Hospital and has a range of habitats inlcuding oak woodland, calcareous fen, meadows, ditches, and ponds. Originally purchased as building land, it is now plays host to a rich diversity of both animal and plant species including slow worms and great crested newts.
