If you want to get out and about to explore some of the countryside around Welwyn and Hatfield you have a number of small nature reserves on your doorstep:
Sherrardspark Wood: well-managed oak and hornbeam woods, with plenty of paths to explore
Danesbury: historic parkland formerly part of Danesbury House. The fields are now used to raise rare-breed cattle. Accessed from residential roads in Welwyn and by footpath from Oaklands, Potters Heath and the Codicote Road
Singlers Marsh: wet meadowland alongside the River Mimram to the north of Welwyn. Managed by cattle grazing and cutting; a rare habitat in the county
The Commons: lying to the south of the QEII Hospital, an area of oak woodland, calcareous fen, meadows, ditches and ponds
Stanborough Reed Marsh: small area to the southern end of Stanborough Lakes - with reed beds, sedge marsh and wet willow woodland
Howe Dell: a gentle stream in a small wooded valley between Woods Avenue and the railway line accessible via Howe Dell or Honeysuckle Gardens
Oxleys Wood: small wood south of Deerswood Avenue with interesting woodland plants
