A walk in the Park

TAKE a glimpse behind the busy shops of the Brookfield Centre at Cheshunt and you’ll discover a lovely area of parkland with a history that dates back to the Romans. Their main road to the north of England crossed the area we know as Cheshunt Park. It was one day’s march from London and Roman soldiers were tired and hungry by the time they arrived. Channel 4’s Time Team excavations in 2001 revealed traces of that road – Ermine Street – and several of the buildings along it. The evidence suggested that this was the Roman equivalent of a modern motorway service area.

Famous faces
By 1226, Cheshunt Park had become a medieval deer park and after Cardinal Wolsey acquired it in 1519, Queen Elizabeth I hunted there. Later, when hunting became less fashionable, the area reverted to farmland. Two sisters from the Debenham family, owners of the famous chain stores, purchased the park in 1918.
After the death of Phillis Debenham in 1968, the local council bought part of the Park for the public to enjoy. The old mansion was demolished in 1970 – its site marked by a clump of exotic trees at the highest point in the park.

Rich in wildlife
Candlestick Lane divides the modern park in half and the eastern half is a popular but challenging golf course. The western side is open to all and consists of old meadows which are rich in wildflowers and divided by tall hedgerows. Butterflies take advantage of these sheltered conditions with Small Heath and Small Copper abundant in late summer. Ten species of bats have been recorded and the hedges are full of birdsong in spring. Numerous ponds support a large population of rare great crested newts. Also unusual are the scattered old pear trees whose white blossom makes a splendid show in spring.

Grant help
Cheshunt Park is nearing the end of a facelift that will make it even better for wildlife thanks to a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Some trees have been cut down around a large and shaded but lifeless pond. A digger has removed much of the silt and this will encourage newts to move back in. Volunteers have planted new Hertfordshire varieties of fruit trees and coppiced bushes in the hedges. Two second world war pillboxes now have secure doors to protect hibernating bats from disturbance. Plans are also underway to bring back cattle to graze one of the meadows which will suit the wildlife better and reduce mowing costs.

Great for families
The park is already a Green Flag site but that hasn’t stopped more improvements being made for visitors. Earlier this year, the route featured here was fitted with a new surface suitable for family groups and more changes are imminent. The Countryside Management Service and the Borough of Broxbourne Council are preparing new information boards and commissioning a stone and metal sculpture. This will feature a timeline of the area’s past and will stand on the site of the mansion.

Start walking

Distance The easy access trail is 1.2km. You can also walk elsewhere in the park on other paths.
Time 20 minutes
Rating Easy – gentle slopes on a surfaced path. Wear walking boots if you wish to explore other areas.
Parking Cheshunt Park car park at
the start of the walk is off Park Lane, Cheshunt
Toilets At golf club
OS Map Explorer 174

The route

1. Leave the car park in the corner under the mobile phone mast.

2. Follow the surfaced path gently uphill across two meadows and into a third where the grass is kept short. A short detour on the right takes you to the restored pond.

3. The route reaches the top of the hill with the site of the Debenham mansion in among the trees on the left. Turn around for a view back into central London.

4. Follow the surfaced path round to the right with views ahead across the Lea valley.

5. Take another right turn into tree-lined Candlestick Lane which passes Cheshunt Park Golf Club where refreshments are available at most times.