What do Washington DC, Auckland, Buenos Aires, Barcelona and Welwyn Garden City have in common? No idea? Well I’ll tell you. They were all designated as ‘Tree Cities of the World‘ by the United Nations this year. In fact it’s the second year running that Welwyn has received the honour.
The Welwyn Hatfield local authority has over 100,000 woodland trees and more than 17,000 street trees and is one of only 11 authorities in the UK to have this honour due to it’s tree management and planning programme. Who would have thought it eh?
When we first booked our current Airbnb back in February we were just looking for a months rental at a reasonable price and fancied somewhere that we hadn’t been to before. We thought our apartment was in a built up area to be honest and were resigned to walks around mainly urban areas. Not a big deal as we can always find places to go and locations to explore but we never expected to be ten minutes from woodland and countryside walks.
Sherrardspark Wood
Now that I feel completely recovered from the dastardly kidney stone attack we can return to our JWalking roots and get out there again exploring. A short walk to the west is the fabulous Sherrardspark Wood, an area of well managed oaks covering over 200 acres and absolutely jam-packed full of footpaths, bridleways and tracks.
The fact that this incredible wood is right on the edge of the city is difficult to believe as you wander through mighty oaks and along bluebell-bordered paths. All we could hear as we wandered was the beautiful choral song of hundreds of birds who obviously appreciated the wood as much as we did.
Walking for hours we hardly saw another person, the woods are so big and there are so many paths that it’s easy to forget how close you are to civilisation. An absolutely fabulous place to walk and talk and just enjoy the nature (and the celebrated trees of course). Sherrardspark Wood will certainly be seeing the two of us a lot over the coming weeks!
Burnham Green and Tewin
With the walking bit now firmly between our teeth we decided to explore north of the city. Once again just 10 minutes walk saw us outside suburbia and in the middle of wonderful countryside. Not woodland this time but fields and hedgerows criss-crossed with more footpaths and brideways. The area seems to be unbelievably well served by walking trails, perhaps part of the whole garden city setup begun back in the 1920s.
So on a sunny morning we set off north on a 6 or 7 mile hike along well kept footpaths to the quaint little village of Burnham Green and back past Harmer Green and Digswell.
We’ve labelled it the ‘Burnham Green Circuit‘ (for no particular reason other than we wanted to) and already been back to do part of the circular walk in reverse. The open fields and country views in all directions make it a lovely walk either way. Plus there appear to be footpaths leading off at various angles that we may have to explore very soon.
And of course the return always takes us close to, or underneath, the incredibly impressive Digswell Viaduct. Forty arches of 1850s construction with London to Edinburgh trains powering over at regular intervals. We need more viaducts don’t we?
30/04 – 04/05/2021
JWalking 
Never been to Welwyn Garden City but must have travelled over that viaduct many times without knowing it! Such an interesting post and I’m so pleased you are enjoying exploring the area.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We said exactly the same thing. You never realise on the train do you? Racing past so many lovely places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Had never heard of Tree Cities of the World, but what a great recognition to hold! Let’s hope more cities can be added in the future!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a brilliant concept isn’t it? I think they should make much more of it though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see why you don’t mind staying in England – so may beautiful places to explore! Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We don’t mind at all and there are so many places that we still haven’t visited. So much to explore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How nice to have such a beautiful place so close to a city, and so big too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really surprised us to find woodland walks right on our doorstep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never heard of Tree Cities of the World, but it’s such a cool idea! Nothing quite beats heading out into nature for awhile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a great idea isn’t it? They should definitely make more of it though, could be a much bigger deal.
LikeLike
What fabulous places to find on your new doorstep! Glad the recovery is going so well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were so surprised to find that Welwyn was in the middle of such lovely woodland and countryside. So good for our return to longer walks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to see that you have recovered Jon , you are certainly looking well. Such an interesting post, I think we are all finding more treasures on our doorsteps thanks to the current restrictions. I’m sure we all miss the warmer climes but it’s not so bad wandering around good old United Kingdom. Look forward to catching up with you both soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Trevor, there is so much to see in England that we all take a little for granted. We love exploring anywhere new in this country, not so bothered about going overseas at the moment. Be great to catch up soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great place to go walking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is, took us by complete surprise. The whole area has so much woodland and lovely countryside. Walks are getting longer and longer!
LikeLike
That must be nice after so long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a great place to visit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its a lovely town with so much green space and a whole host of places to explore and walk. Lots to see and do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you’ve recovered from your kidney stones! The bluebells are lovely right now, aren’t they? I just went for walks in a couple different cemeteries that had loads of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the woods around here are just full of wild flowers, look great. Lovely to walk through.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love seeing bluebells in the woods, what a beautiful place you’ve discovered! Love those old viaducts too. Glad to see you are back into walking 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Its great to be back walking and enjoying the springtime walks. Bluebells everywhere.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A nice return to serious bloggin’. Good to see you back in the saddle mate. Who’d have thought Welwyn had so much to offer. I wonder if it suffers from the perception that it’s a ‘new town’? And who doesn’t love a viaduct??? Although a bit different the Aquaduct of Segovia is a bit special.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welwyn has been a revelation, such amazing countryside and great walks all around. Nicer than Devon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] the Burnham Green Circuit last week (City of Trees) we headed off north to walk to the delightful village of Tewin. Past the impressive Digwell […]
LikeLiked by 2 people