Danbury Country Park

Danbury Country Park – originally laid out in the 13th century as part of a private estate – offers ornamental gardens and lakes, woodland and meadows.

The park’s accessible, well-maintained tracks are popular with dog walkers and families, with plenty of seats and picnic benches to have a rest or a bite to eat.

Surviving historic structures include an ice house where before refrigerators, ice was collected from the lakes in winter and stored for the palace kitchens.

The lakeside path takes you alongside tranquil waters, where you can watch ducks, swans and carp, and past the ornamental gardens.

Late spring is a good time to see ducklings, cygnets and spectacular displays from rhododendrons in the gardens. In summer, the meadows fill with wildflowers and grasses, attracting butterflies and insects, while the woodland paths offer respite from the sun in the dappled shade of ancient oaks, hornbeams and sweet chestnuts.