Park of the week

160. Woodside Playing Fields

This park, in Watford, covers a large area, including playing fields, sports facilities and woodland. It was awarded Green Flag status since 2011. The site includes an eight-lane synthetic track and stadium, an indoor bowls green, a community centre, cricket squares, football pitches and Woodside Leisure Centre. 

There are large areas of open grassland, with mature trees dotted around the grounds. Daffodils, crocuses and bluebells can be seen in the spring.

Woodside Playing Fields was part of the original Woodside estate, with a house and farm built in 1860. During World War II, the site became a depot for the ATS. After the war, the local authority purchased the estate to use for housing and playing fields. The house was demolished in 1959, but the stables are still standing and are used for changing rooms.

Albans Wood, to the west of the playing fields, is a small area of semi-ancient woodland dating back to 1600 and named after the Roman soldier who became a Christian, was martyred and gave his name the neighbouring city of St Albans. It’s planted with mature beech and oak and supports a rich variety of wildlife. Muntjac deer, red fox and grey squirrel can be seen in the wood – we didn’t see any, probably because it was too early in the day, so I couldn’t pass on a greeting from the foxes in our Mill Hill garden, now numbering parents and three cubs. There are also birds including nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker and tree creeper, chiffchaff and blackcap. Bats have been spotted on bat walks. It was declared a local Nature Reserve in 2006 and is a county wildlife site.

There’s a children’s play area, car park and toilets, including one for people with disabilities, and their carers.

Judith Field

Woodside Playing Fields and Alban Wood, Horseshoe Lane, WD25 7HH