Amwell Nature Reserve Walk
Hertfordshire
Amwell Nature Reserve occupies 40 hectares of former gravel workings beside the River Lee Navigation near Ware, now flooded into a string of lakes managed by the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust for wintering wildfowl and breeding birds, with a dog under control welcome along the pathways though not in the bird hides. This circuit of around 4.5km follows the River Lee Navigation towpath and the tracks along Amwell Lane and Hollycross Road to loop around Great Hardmead Lake, the reserve's largest and most striking water body, with three bird hides giving views over the lake and its Bittern Pool. The reserve holds 21 recorded species of dragonfly and damselfly, best seen between May and September, and the going is flat and easy throughout on towpath and grass tracks.
This is a dog friendly walk, and dogs under control are permitted along the pathways around the reserve, giving a dog a good stretch of towpath and lakeside walking. Dogs are not permitted in the bird hides or on the Dragonfly Trail, so these are best visited without a dog or in turns with a companion. The River Lee Navigation gives a dog the chance for a paddle along the towpath stretch, and there is little livestock to worry about on the main route. There is no official car park, so parking is on Amwell Lane or in a layby on Hollycross Road, and there are no facilities on site, so come prepared.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.5 km (2.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 25 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- None on site; nearest facilities in Ware or Great Amwell village.
- Parking
- No official car park; roadside parking on Amwell Lane or a layby on Hollycross Road.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Amwell Nature Reserve Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in HertfordshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Amwell Nature Reserve Walk dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Amwell Nature Reserve Walk, which earns a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. Dogs under control can enjoy the towpath along the River Lee Navigation and the tracks around Great Hardmead Lake, with the chance for a paddle along the towpath stretch. The main restriction is that dogs are not permitted inside the bird hides or on the Dragonfly Trail.
Can dogs be off lead at Amwell Nature Reserve Walk?
The reserve asks that dogs are kept under control throughout, which in practice means a lead is advisable, particularly given the importance of the site for breeding and wintering birds. The good news is there's little livestock to worry about on the main route, so for dogs with a reliable recall the towpath and lakeside tracks offer a relaxed walk. Just be mindful of the wildlife around the lakes and give the bird hides a wide berth.
What should I know before visiting Amwell Nature Reserve Walk with my dog?
There are no facilities on site, so bring water for yourself and your dog before you set off — the nearest amenities are in Ware or Great Amwell village. Parking isn't officially signposted either, so plan to use roadside parking on Amwell Lane or the layby on Hollycross Road. It's also worth knowing that dogs aren't allowed in the bird hides or on the Dragonfly Trail, so if you want to explore those areas you'll need to go in turns with a companion or save them for a visit without your dog.
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