All our community woodlands are perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. Each year we welcome a variety of different people who come to enjoy them. Why don't you come and explore whats on your doorstep?
Each site is unique and offers a different experience from the ancient trees at Mardyke Woods to the young saplings at Ingrebourne Hill. For more information please take a look at the 'Where to Visit' section and don’t forget to download a map before you visit.
Dog Walkers
Community woodlands are a great place for you and your dog to exercise, please don't spoil it for others by not clearing up after your pooch. If left, dog poo can become dangerous to humans and worm eggs can begin to develop. Help us to keep the woodland a clean and tidy place to visit, always bag it and bin it! Once bagged please place it in the bins provided in our car parks or with general house hold waste.
Please remember that our community woodlands are used by many different people, by keeping your dog under control you will help make our woodlands a great place for everyone to visit.
For more dog news check out 'Walkies in the Woods'.
Horse Riding
Many of our sites have surfaced horse trails; these are clearly marked on our downloadable maps. Please remember the following when riding in any of our community woodlands:
- Horses are permitted anywhere on the grass areas and on the yellow surfaced paths as they are specifically designed for horse riders.
- Please keep off the pink paths as these are designed for other site users. Where there are no surfaced horse paths you are welcome to ride along the grass on the path edge.
- Walking and trotting is welcome but for the safety of other visitors do not canter or gallop.
Cycling
Cycling is welcome across any of our 10 sites. Ingrebourne Hill has a specially designed mountain bike track. Please remember there will be other visitors on site so take care and please give way to pedestrians.
Walking
We have a huge network of surfaced paths across all our ten community woodlands. Many are all ability, making them suitable for less able visitors. We also have a network of grass rides which allow you to explore the sites and get to know there wilder side!
If you would like any more information about the 10 community woodlands with in Thames Chase please contact the Community Ranger on 01708 642964 or email by clicking here.
Organised Groups and Special Activities
All organised group events require formal permission. An event cannot un without a signed license or permit in place; otherwise it will be in breach of Forestry Commission byelaws and the event's Public Liability insurance will become invalid.
The forest operates a permissive access policy for walkers, cyclists and horse riders to come and enjoy this wonderful environment as individuals or in small groups. These users have priority for access. As from December 2005, pedestrians will have a legal right of access under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000. The forest does not close to general public access for private events.
As the event organiser you are personally responsible for your activity, the participants and the potential impact it could have on other people around you. Because of general public access, the needs of forest operations and environmental legislation, events must be properly planned to guarantee that it passes off safely and enjoyably for everyone concerned.
Please work with us to ensure your event is planned properly.
A minimum of 28 days advance notice is required prior to your intended event date, but the longer the better to ensure good planning and to accommodate changes.
For more information and to apply for formal permission please contact our admin officer by clicking here or call 01708 642968
