National Trust - Danbury Commons and Blakes Wood — Attraction in Chelmsford

Blakes Wood is especially important to me as a place I visited frequently with my parents before they passed away. We would normally visit when the bluebells carpeted the woodland. I remember being shocked at the damage that occurred from the Great Storm of 1987 but, as an ancient woodland, and through the management of the National Trust it soon recovered. This is an excellent place to view flora and fauna. The woods are separated from the much larger, and busier, Danbury Commons and has a small unmade car park. The trails are also unmade and can be steep due to the numerous streams...

Both myself and my children enjoyed the walking trail here. It's very picturesque, with a mixed terrain (a very small part of the route is along back roads too). It's a 3.5hr walking trail that overlaps in a figure of 8, so if you are getting tired after the first half, you're back to where you started anyway. If you're going to try out the walking trail between Oct-April, wellies are probably your best bet. Danbury Common walking trail can be found on the...

Nice place, reminds me of Suffolk with the lovely smelling gorse bushes.

There are a few free places to park but remember the main car park is locked at the time shown on the signs as you enter.

It can get boggy and wet under foot.

I don't think there are any toilets or refreshments on site but there is a pub close by.

It's Popular with mountain bikers to, treasure island, a small hill in a hollow people used to ride with some good trials for...