Serpentine and Thirlmere Woods

Serpentine and Thirlmere Woods are located in Great Ashby, near Stevenage.

Serpentine Wood is most notable for a number of elm trees, which survived the outbreak of Dutch elm disease some years ago. Oak and hazel trees are also found in these woodlands.

The hazel trees were once coppiced, meaning they were cut down to stumps which re-grew to produce many thin stems. The cut wood was used for building, fencing and making charcoal. The southern edge of these woods is marked by an old wood bank, where coppiced trees run in a line on a raised earth bank showing an old boundary.

Woodland Walk

The Woodland Walk leads you around the Great Ashby Estate, taking in five woodlands managed by us. Four of the woodlands have their own short route for you to explore.

Access

Parking is available at the community centre off Great Ashby Way, SG1 6NH