Oxhey Woods
Oxhey Woods is the largest Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in the Three Rivers District. The character of Oxhey Woods is varied, created by centuries of management of the woodland for a variety of uses.
The woods are an important wildlife site, notable for the unusual Wild Service Tree, sometimes known as the ‘Chequers Tree’ because of its distinctively patterned berries and bark.
Some parts of Oxhey Woods are ancient woodland, which means they have been wooded for at least 400 years, but maybe up to 10,000 years old, but other areas were once open grassland grazed by livestock.
Across the Woods, features such as sunken pathways, earth banks and ditches can be seen. In the past these earth works often marked boundaries between different land uses and ownership.
You can download the following Oxhey Woods LNR leaflets here:
- Oxhey Woods LNR
- Easy Access Sculpture Trail
- Orienteering Trail Beginners
- Orienteering Trail Intermediate
- Orienteering Trail Challenging
Interested in looking after Oxhey Woods? Find out more about joining Oxhey Woods Conservation Volunteers.