Colne Valley regional park, Regional park spanning Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, England
Colne Valley Regional Park is a protected area across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire that stretches from Rickmansworth in the north to Staines upon Thames in the south, combining flat landscapes with rivers, canals, lakes, and woods. The park is shaped by two main waterways: the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal, which together with meadows and woodland patches form an open, green network.
The park was established in 1965 to preserve green landscape west of London and become the first countryside protection of its kind in the region. Since then, it has served as a buffer between expanding urban development and agricultural and natural areas.
The park takes its name from the River Colne, which runs through the landscape and shapes how people use the space. Visitors can see how this waterway and the canals alongside it influence daily activity and local routines.
The area offers more than 200 miles of walking routes along rivers and canals with over 60 lakes, all accessible through a well-maintained path network. Visitors should wear suitable footwear as conditions vary with weather, ranging from flat sections to slightly boggy areas.
The area contains several nature reserves of special scientific importance, including Denham Country Park and Frays Farm Meadows, managed by the London Wildlife Trust. These protected sites offer visitors insight into specialized habitats and the work behind their preservation.
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