Bentsley Spinney

Wood, Forest in Hertfordshire St. Albans

England

Bentsley Spinney

The Green Man, Sandridge Credit: David Howard

Bentsley Spinney is a beautiful woodland area located in Hertfordshire, England. Situated near the town of Wood, this forested landscape offers a serene and picturesque environment for visitors to explore.

Covering an area of approximately 200 acres, Bentsley Spinney is predominantly composed of native broadleaf trees such as oak, beech, and ash. These majestic trees provide a dense canopy that creates a tranquil atmosphere and offers a haven for a variety of wildlife.

The forest is crisscrossed with a network of well-maintained footpaths and trails, making it an ideal destination for walkers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. As visitors venture deeper into the woods, they may encounter a diverse range of plant species, including bluebells, primrose, and foxgloves, which carpet the forest floor during the spring months.

Bentsley Spinney is also home to a rich array of wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot a variety of species, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and thrushes, while lucky observers may catch glimpses of foxes, deer, and squirrels. The forest provides an important habitat for these creatures, offering shelter, food, and nesting sites.

In addition to its natural beauty, Bentsley Spinney also holds historical significance. The woodland has been a part of the Hertfordshire landscape for centuries, and remnants of ancient earthworks and boundaries can still be found within its boundaries.

Overall, Bentsley Spinney in Hertfordshire is a captivating woodland retreat that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Its lush greenery, diverse wildlife, and rich history make it an ideal destination for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil respite in the heart of the English countryside.

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Bentsley Spinney Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.769066/-0.30611147 or Grid Reference TL1609. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Green Man, Sandridge

David Howard

High Street, Sandridge

David Howard

Sandridge : "Green Man" public house

Jim Osley

Sandridge : village shop

Grade II listed - Link

Jim Osley

Sandridge : "Queens Head" public house

Grade II listed - Link

Jim Osley

Sandridge : Queens Head and flag

Jim Osley

Sandridge : Church of St Leonard

Grade II* listed church : description at this Link

Jim Osley

Sandridge : lych-gate to Church of St Leonard

"Built 1920, dedicated as a war memorial 1921" - Link

Jim Osley

St Leonard's church, Sandridge

Looking East from TL171106 to St Leonard's church (with a steeple).

Rob Hinkley

Signal mast

Looking E to the signal mast at TL184103.

Rob Hinkley

Signal mast and razor wire

Looking almost straight into the sun from TL185104 at the signal mast on the road coming east out of Sandridge. No normal phone mast this; the thing's ringed with two layers of razor wire fence and has a sign at the entrance with a royal coat of arms on it. Photo notes: for better results take photo in morning, not afternoon like I did - the mast's partially obscured by trees from the west, so better to be east of it with the sun behind you.

Rob Hinkley

New Dutch Barn workshops Fairfolds Farm

This is obviously a farm refurbished as business premises

Jack Hill

Fairshot Court in Woodcockhill Sandridge

The gates were shut and barred but with no fence alongside the gate posts.

Jack Hill

Entrance gates, Sandridgebury

Entrance gate on the lane leading to Sandridgebury Farm, though not the entrance to the farm.

Jack Hill

Coppicing

This is a section of coppice within Langley Wood. The wood is accessible from the adjacent footpath.

Richard Mills

Wireless Mast, Woodcock Hill, Sandridge

Intriguing – This old-fashioned looking radio mast is stuck on the top of a minor hill in the Hertfordshire countryside and looks most incongruous. The map marks it as a wireless station and there are some mysterious road signs to “HOSDB”. I must find our more ... TL1810 : HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch) Sandridge

Chris Reynolds

HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch) Sandridge

The original site began 1939 as a wireless intercept station for the Foreign Office operated by GPO radio engineers and was used to intercept diplomatic traffic between enemy governments and their embassies. Initially the messages were in morse code but later Germany used high speed encryption and transmission equipment that needed to be recorded by undulators, a mechanised paper strip inking system. The results were sent by teleprinter to Bletchley park for decryption. The messages were of the highest value to Winston Churchill who received assessments every day. After WW2 it became part of the Diplomatic Wireless Service and remained largely unchanged until 1973 when it was handed over to the Home office. Sources - National Archives file HW55/3 & HW14/102, Link

Chris Reynolds