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Gadespring Cressbeds

Gadespring is the site of a former watercress farm located in the Boxmoor and Chaulden area of Hemel Hempstead. The four acre site is situated on the south side of Chaulden Meadow, between Camelot Rugby Club’s pitches and the Grand Union canal (which runs parallel with the site) and is adjacent to Old Fishery Lane, which runs off Chaulden Lane and Northridge Way.

Acquired by the Box Moor Trust in 2011, Gadespring is managed sympathetically for the benefit of wildlife and visitors to create a special nature reserve for Hemel Hempstead.

 

Gadespring Bird Hide

Connecting with nature

We host a number of events at the site to give the local community the opportunity to connect with nature. As well as a bird hide, we have a dipping platform for visitors to catch tadpoles and other pond life.

Our objective is simply to provide children and adults the opportunity to connect with nature and to appreciate what we have on our doorstep.

Local school children have spent valuable time at Gadespring where they have enjoyed a canal boat ride and found out about the various insects, birds and other wildlife that are found at Gadespring. Some visitors have spotted their first frog or tadpole at Gadespring which made it an exciting day for them!

 

On-going development

As Gadespring is still being developed, health and safety considerations mean that access to this area is only available to the public during our regular open days. These volunteer led events are free to attend and take place every Thursday morning (10am – midday) and on the last Sunday of the month (11am – 2pm).

The Trust is very interested to learn more about the history of Gadespring, please contact us at [email protected]  if you can share any information with us.

The short video below tells the story of Gadespring as a thriving watercress farm, from the point of view of a former worker and eventual owner.