| A rare Hertfordshire open heathland
(in the process of restoration) combined with woodland,
two large ponds and several smaller heathy pools. It includes the Roundings and Goldingtons.
Hertford Heath is adjacent to Balls Wood. The heath (Roundings) supports plants such as heather, heath bedstraw, tormentil and petty whin amongst other heathland species. Being a damp heathland there are a number of wet pools with sphagnum mosses and rushes which are the special habitat for dragon and damselflies. One of the ponds is home to good numbers of great crested newts. The woodland area (Goldlingtons) consists of mature hornbeam coppice and secondary oak and birch woodland. In summer, the large number woodland pond provides a fine show of delicate flowering water violets and yellow flag iris. Birds which are commonly seen include long tailed tit, nuthatch and tree creeper. The Trust has a long-term management agreement with the owner, Haileybury College, and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. |
 The management regime is designed to encourage diversity of
species. Work on the heath focuses on preventing
scrub encroachment onto the heath and
maintaining the ponds. |
| Visiting |
 The reserve is in two parts on either side of the B1197 in Hertford
Heath Village. Turn into Roundings Road adjacent to the Jolly Pindar pub.
The entrance is a short way down on the right. The other section of the reserve
is at the end of Heath Lane which is opposite the pub, or may be entered
from Mount Pleasant in Hertford Heath Village. |
 Bus stops outside pub (The Jolly Pindar). Nearest train station in Hertford. |
 Accessible at all times. |
 Late summer for flowering heather and dragonflies. |
 Easy walking; paths throughout the reserve. |