Access to the Danesbury Fernery AL6 9RD
Road Directions
From the North – leave the A1(M) at Exit 6, then take the 3rd exit, follow the A1000 > Welwyn by-pass.
From the South – leave the A1(M) at Exit 6, then take the 2nd exit, follow the A1000 > Welwyn by-pass.
At the Clock Roundabout on the Welwyn By-Pass > join the B656 Welwyn Link Road for a short distance > (Direction of Codicote)
- After 100 yards take 1st Right > Carleton Rise
- After 150 yards take 2nd Right > North Ride
Park at the top end of North Ride and walk for 500 yards on the right hand lane or in the field itself – see below Choice of Access
Bus Routes
Bus Routes 301/302 to Carleton Rise/The Clock – then follow the Public Footpath behind Clockhouse Gardens across the Field and observe the Fernery halfway along the path and up on the left.
Access
Directions to the Fernery are sign-posted from the Welwyn Link Road (B656).
The Fernery is sited in the middle of the Fernery Field, being part of the Danesbury Local Nature Reserve.
There are 3x (kissing-gate) access points to the field from Danesbury Park Road which runs directly north from North Ride (AL6 9RD) on the Danesbury Housing Estate.
The Fernery itself has a kissing-gate entrance too, but sadly none allow wheelchair access.
The field is rough grassland and cattle graze at some times of the year. They are docile breeds that the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the owners) allow on many open public spaces in the Borough.
Choice of Access
Visitors have a choice of reaching the Fernery either by entering the field at the 1st kissing-gate at the top end of North Ride (by the cattle corral) and walking about 500 yards across the field to the Fernery.
Visitors who don’t fancy walking that distance across the field can alternatively walk up Danesbury Park Road for 500 yards to the 2nd kissing-gate, which is the closest access point to the Fernery, leaving a short 25 yard short walk across the field to the Fernery entrance; car passengers with disabilities would be best dropped off at this point before parking elsewhere.
The Fernery itself is not huge and sits in an area approx. 100 yards square. It was constructed by the Victorians in 1859/60 in an old chalk pit, so visitors should therefore expect some sloping paths, gravelled where steepest but without hand-rails. There are 4x benches to rest on and grass spaces suitable for spreading a family picnic out. There are several pubs in Welwyn Village where toilets, lunch and refreshments are available.
Opening Times
The Fernery is accessible to the public at all times.