Hatfield Forest is a working example of what a medieval Forest must have been like. It is a landscape shaped by man's activities over hundreds, probably thousands, of years. There is certainly nothing as complete and well-preserved in Essex, and arguably in Europe.
From Hatfield Forest itself, you can visit two other National Trust sites nearby – Wall Wood and Woodside Green, an ancient common.
Visiting
Turn south off the B1256 (Bishop's Stortford–Takeley) in Takely Street, about 3 miles east of M11 junction 8.
Buses run to Takeley Street from Bishop's Stortford and Braintree/Dunmow: get off at Green Man PH.