Panshanger Park is a
vital and cherished green space, offering a sanctuary for both wildlife and
the local community.
Panshanger Lane Car Park
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SG14 2TS
Thieves Lane Car Park
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SG14 2WN
Panshanger Park is a vital and cherished green space, offering a sanctuary for both wildlife and the local community. Owned and managed by Tarmac and located in the heart of Hertfordshire, this 1,000-acre park combines the beauty of natural landscapes with rich historical features, creating a unique and accessible environment for recreation, relaxation, and learning.
Unearthing the past
Panshanger Park was originally owned by the Cowper family successive generations the Panshanger estate evolved its historical significance makes it a very special place.
History is routed in its connection with Humphry Repton, a 19th century landscape designer, who created much of the parkland. His work can still be seen today and has led to the park being registered as a Grade II* Historic Park and Garden.
In more modern times, the park is now owned by sustainable construction solutions business, Tarmac, that has who have been sensitively quarrying the site since the 1990’s, with much of the material being used to build homes and roads throughout Hertfordshire. As quarrying has nNow quarrying is completee to an end, large areas of the park that the community know and love today have been opened and managed for public enjoyment and conservation with. Reminders of its rich past still remaining.
Biodiversity and Natural Beauty
At the core of Panshanger Park is its role as a thriving natural environment. The park is home to a rich variety of habitats, including veteran trees, woodlands, meadows, wetlands, lakes and a chalk river, each supporting a diverse range of wildlife. These areas are carefully managed by Tarmac to ensure that the park remains a refuge for local flora and fauna, including many species of birds, insects, and plants. Efforts to restore and protect these habitats are central to maintaining the park’s biodiversity, allowing it to serve as an important ecological asset.
The park’s sustainable management practices focus on enabling natural process to restore and protect these ecosystems.
Livestock grazing plays a key role in maintaining grasslands and creating structurally diverse wood pasture. And the Panshanger Park Nature Explorers, the ‘Wildlife Watch’, help us collectively act as stewards of Panshanger Park’s natural environment.
Strengthening the community
Whether it’s a quiet stroll by the lakeside, a family picnic in the meadows, or Panshanger parkrun on a Saturday morning.
Panshanger Park also has an active volunteer group, overseen by a Community Ranger, which provides opportunity for the local community to get in involved in a range of activities including habitat management, wardening, guided nature walks, conservation workshops, and event support.
The park serves as an outdoor classroom, where schools, youth groups, and environmental organisations can engage in hands-on learning. Visitors can discover local history, the importance of sustainability, the natural environment, and wildlife conservation.
The park also plays a role in supporting the local economy. By attracting visitors from surrounding areas, it brings foot traffic to local businesses, shops, cafes, and services, further creating opportunities for locals to be employed by local businesses, as well as the park.
Protecting the Future
As the park continues to grow and evolve, Tarmac is focused on creating a sustainable, resilient environment that will benefit both people and wildlife for generations to come. The park’s ongoing restoration and conservation efforts aim to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote eco-friendly practices.
The vision for Panshanger Park is one of balance: a space where nature and community coexist, and where the benefits of green spaces, —biodiversity, health, education, and connection, —are accessible to everyone. As long-term stewards of the park, Tarmac is working with the community and stakeholders to strike and maintain this balance through a long-term management plan.
Tarmac’s commitment to Panshanger Park is to create a legacy of care, collaboration, and sustainability that will continue to inspire and serve the local area for generations to come.
Who looks after the park?
Tarmac owns the park and is responsible for its management. Day-to- day management activities are delivered through a contract with Maydencroft which employs three full- time rangers. The ranger team ensures the landscape and habitats are well maintained; the park is safe for visitors and delivers a range of community engagement activities.
Tarmac collaborates with a range of partners (Maydencroft, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, British Dragonfly Society, Natural England, Historic England and others) on the management of the park to utilise and share expertise and best practice.
Panshanger News
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the latest Panshanger ranger updates about
the wildlife future plans and events at the park.
Our Team
Our team includes personnel from Tarmac, Madencroft and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Tony Jackson
Senior park ranger
Maydencroft
Adam Roberts
Park ranger
Maydencroft
Dan Hamley
Community ranger
Maydencroft
Michael Charlton
Estates manager
Tarmac
Kate Harper
PR manager
Tarmac
Tim Hill
Conservation manager
HMWT
Jez Perkins
Head of Grounds and Estates
Maydencroft
Chris Oakley
Farm manager
Maydencroft
