YOUR VISIT - LEAVESDEN COUNTRY PARK

A park waiting to be discovered

Whether it’s heritage, wildlife, play, cycle or stop for a coffee, Leavesden Country Park has something to make everyone happy.  

The rejuvenated park provides a home to Leavesden HIVE and The Garden, a stunning Heritage Trail of nine significant pieces of art set against the woodlands backdrop, a Park Ranger, the Leavesden Hospital History Association, a 'Friends of' group not to mention the exciting play area, woodland walks and Woodlands Café all combine to offer a truly great day out.

How to find the park:
Leavesden Country Park
College Road
WD5 0NX (this postcode is the nearest postcode for the main car park entrance)

Download the MAP

There is a main car park situated near Woodlands Cafe and an overflow car park situated near the main College Road entrance.
There are a several entrances if you are arriving on foot and the park has a number of cycle paths.  

There are toilet facilities located near the cafe which are currently open Monday-Friday, 9.30am-6pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:30am - 4pm.

Download our brochure to find out about the stunning Heritage Sculpture Trail celebrating the local history.  

We thank Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Lottery players for making this project possible.

Explore 

A beautiful destination park, filled with heritage, in the heart of Leavesden, a place of exploration and learning, waiting to be discovered. 

It’s a biodiversity haven for wildlife, boasting an impressive collection of specimen trees and wildflower meadows. 

The design concept for the play area, weaves in the heritage and wildlife themes of the park in an exciting way. This unique play space stimulates a child’s imagination to play beyond the physical boundaries of the equipment.

The park also hosts the Woodlands YMCA and the YMCA Woodlands Café which offers a vibrant space, free Wi-Fi and a varied menu from coffee to cakes and sandwiches to snacks. To view the menu and opening hours click here or follow the cafe on Facebook

A sense of arrival has been achieved with site wide branding across the park, inviting you to start your adventure in Leavesden Country Park.

Discover

Respectfully restored features include the hospital railings, font, Edwardian Garden and the steps leading to a peaceful Remembrance Garden, paying respect to the people who lived, worked and volunteered in the hospitals previously on the site of the park. 

A stunning Heritage Trail reflecting the themes of Minds, Machines and Movies together with their interpretation boards pay tribute to the rich heritage of the area - the Leavesden Hospitals, Leavesden Aerodrome and Leavesden Film Studios. 
Set against a backdrop of the park, the sculptures have been created using a variety of materials; oak, steel, granite and marble. 

They invite the visitor to interact, by spinning the zoetrope or nestling into the cockpit to listen to stories of the past. 

In contrast, visitors can view the subtle movements of the MINDS pieces, whilst reflecting on the artists’ concepts.

Visitors can enjoy the Woodlands Café, exciting play areas, cycle hub, inclusive sensory garden, and outdoor sports facilities.

Learn

Leavesden HIVE, a centre for learning is supported by a specialist historical association, dedicated to the hospitals’ history.  The Leavesden Hospital History Association, founded by Martin Brooks, provides an incredible insight to the legacy of the hospitals that once filled the grounds of the site and played such an important role in the treatment of mental health in the Leavesden community.  Visit the Association's website to find out more about specific events which run from the HIVE throughout the year and include Heritage Walks, Open Days and more.

Please note: Leavesden HIVE is not open daily, but is available to hire for educational and heritage purposes throughout the year. The Garden, adjoining the facility is open for all to enjoy at all times.

Opportunities for learning and enjoyment can be found by visiting The Garden – an inclusive eco-friendly space, which stimulates the senses, designed to invite the visitor to interact with nature and search for bugs in the bespoke bug hotel.

The ‘Friends of’ have delivered significant bulb planting, pruning of the orchard and contributed to the Great British Spring Clean.  Their training includes Tree Care and Identification, Visitor Observation Surveys and Orchard Maintenance. 

The Park Ranger uses the HIVE as a base for a diverse and exciting activity programme.  

Contact the Park Ranger to find out more.

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