Panshanger Park — Attraction in East Hertfordshire

As a local resident prior to lockdown this park was a little known treasure, well respected and looked after by visitors. Cue lockdown and ever since its' been a nightmare. Litter everywhere and dog mess not being picked up or if it is left in bags around the park or at the base of the overflowing litter bins. Car park is not suitable for the number of visitors that now visit of a weekend meaning inconsiderate and down right dangerous parking on both sides of Thieves Lane by equally inconsiderate and irresponsible drivers and also within the local residential roads. This parking creates an unsafe and dangerous environment when driving down Thieves Lane due to parking on corners and right down to the roundabout of the A414, meaning traffic is forced to drive in the centre of the road and unable to see what traffic is coming in the opposite direction. Just two weeks ago a lorry travelling down from the top of Thieves Lane hit several vehicles parked on Thieves Lane as it was forced to swerve and oncoming car, ask yourself the question do you want your car potentially damaged?? It is a nightmare to exit or enter both Turpins Close and Ladywood Road as these parking idiots seem to think that blocking the views of Thieves Lane is their god given right! We have had two serious accidents now on the blind bend from people trying to leave their residential address. Police are now patrolling on a regular basis and issuing fixed penalty notices to those causing and obstruction or for dangerous parking in breach of the Highway Code (no parking within 30 feet of a junction) this weekend alone I counted 8 cars with tickets so just a gentle warning to those attending. Also the Thieves Lane car park will shortly be closed to make improvements and to install parking metres to support the charges due to be introduced. Panshanger are opening a newly built new car park late summer at the opposite end of the park where there will be toilet facilities along with a cafe, this car park will also be chargeable (fees to be advised for both car parks). Management are currently working with the local councils/highways to install double yellow lines along the length of Thieves Lane and at the entrance to...

Panshanger Park is a wonderful place to go for a walk with family, dogs or even alone. It spans around 1000 acres and is between Welwyn Garden City and Hertford. There are quite a few different routes to take around the park and they are all signposted very clearly. Dogs should be kept on a lead in certain areas as they have grazing animals and other wildlife. I would recommend keeping your dog on lead on most of the pathways and only let them off in the open spaces as that way you will have control incase you come into contact with another dog or human on the narrow woodland paths. I find this is good dog owner etiquette everyone should keep to.

My dogs really love it here and enjoy a nice off lead run in the wife open the fields when no other dogs are around. If you clip your dog back on his lead you can go on a leisurely walk back through some more forest and grassland before reaching the lakes. If you follow the river Mimram from the main carpark or the old cottage up the other end, you can find a small stream which has signposts and a paddle area. This is a great area for small children to splash around in as the water is flowing enough for it to be clean and safe, make sure you have some kind of shoes on though as it is very pebbley. Dogs enjoy splashing around in this area too, but again I would keep them on lead if it is a peak time as children and other dogs often bound in out of no where and it is safe and responsible for everyone this way.

During the 2020 Coronavirus Lockdown, I found this park was extremely busy from when it opened until close. I managed to get a parking space at 8am on a Wednesday morning and experience a nice walk before it got too busy in some areas. I recommend turning up early and enjoying the park in the morning before it gets swarmed. I'd also avoid weekends during this period. I noticed a lot of rubbish piled up near by to bins rather than inside of them too, which can be dangerous for wildlife. I would ask visitors to bring a bag and take their rubbish home if the parks bins are full. Other than that, I have nothing else to say about the cleanliness of the...

Gorgeous area ruined by humans. There are loads of signs saying 'PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOGS ON THE LEAD AT ALL TIMES' Some areas i believe Dogs are not allowed at all. This is for wildlife as well as the safety of the dogs. This didn't stop people. I didn't see a single dog on a lead at all. (Even around cows with young - foolish) Most of the park is fenced off because of the damage they have caused - and you can't actually access the water at all. Which was my main reason for wanting to visit a lake... There are LOTS of dog bins but still people leave plastic bags of poo on pathways. As well as leaving plastic wrappers and other rubbish everywhere. Even saw a squirel eating polystyrene...

All this actually made me think the park might benefit from an entry fee. I wouldn't normally, but it might discourage people who treat it 'casually' (for lack of a better word). I would be happier paying towards conservation efforts (and maybe a carpark toilet).

Shame the carpark is owned by a dodgy company. NPC. Requires RingGo App. Extra charge for the inconvenience.

Took about 4hrs to do the circuit around all the water and up to the path through the trees (at a very leisurely pace on a hot day). Followed a path on Google maps, signage was a bit lacking. Saw lots of dragonflies, Geese, Ducks - ducklings, coots, cows - cowlings. Meadow, Woodland, Open fields, large ancient trees, a Historical building (more info on that would be nice)....