Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve runs alongside the River Lea and was set up to protect and maintain the habitats and wildlife that can be found in the meadow and cress-beds. A quiet trip out and you might glimpse the Kingfishers, crayfish and dragonflies amongst the wild flowers and water bed.

There are several walking and cycling paths in and around Harpenden including part of the National Cycle Network along the Lee Valley Line this will take you all the way to Luton heading north (be aware that there is a road to cross at East Hyde) or to Wheathampstead in the opposite direction. Good starting points are by the Amble Inn at the bottom of Station Road and the Red Cow down Westfield Road. You can also walk or cycle the Nickey Line (see separate listing), which will take you to Redbourn and then on to Hemel Hempstead. And there are trails from the Nickey Line that will take you through the Rothamsted Estate (please be aware that this is a research centre so please stick to the paths) and to Rothamsted Park (the Rothamsted Trail).

Bowers Parade Sensory Garden situated in the town centre was provided to give residents and visitors, especially those with physical disabilities, the opportunity to touch, smell and see all the plants in detail. (It gives a welcome break to walking around the shops with, or without, little people in tow.) Church Green, Leyton Green and the other High Street Greens filling the town with magnificent horse chestnut and lime trees all help to make Harpenden unique.

Harpenden Common stretches for nearly 2 miles south of the town centre and is a designated County Wildlife site. You can see the ducks at Southdown Ponds, climb the trees in the Cricket Club copse and spot butterflies on a picnic in the hayfield before running the children up and down the old clay mines in Brickle Dells and St. John's Wood, otherwise known as the "ups and downs"!

A FREE digital treasure hunts around Harpenden (3 miles ,& 4 miles- FREE and 5.5 miles - £5). Watch the video on the website link for details of how it works and for your first clue. You will require an NFC-enabled phone. The clues will open up in the Instagram app OR on a webpage if you don't have the app. Each clue tag is hidden so when you get to the clue location, look all around to find the tag but please respect private property. The creator accepts no responsibilty for any injury/accident while you are on the hunt.

Geocaching is a free real-world outdoor treasure hunt. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or GPS and can then share their experiences online. Harpenden has several caches hidden in and around the town and the idea is that you find the treasure without alerting any passers-by. Great fun for all the family and FREE!

For a few years now there has been an active rock hunting group in Harpenden.

Paint Rocks, Hide Rocks, Hunt for Rocks! Join in finding rocks hidden in parks around Harpenden. Enjoy them, re-hide them, create more for others to find. Spread some happiness!

SAFETY notice - please make sure you only hide in places that will not cause safety hazards. For example Don't hide... Read more

Highfield Oval is a 47 acre site off Ambrose Lane belonging to the charity, Youth With A Mission. It is open to the public (8am-8pm, Mon-Sat and 8am-1pm on Sundays) for walking in the woodland (spectacular in spring with bluebells),using the playing fields, cycling & scooting round the green and visiting the popular Oval Cafe. Dog walking is by permit only.

Occasionally the whole property... Read more

Our Harpenden treasure hunt takes you past many local attractions and places of interest, the war memorial, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, St Nicholas Church, The High Street, and The Methodist Church, but more importantly they get you looking around opening your eyes to so many other things you would ordinarily walk straight past! Following the directions and solving the clues along the way you will have great fun exploring the streets and learning a bit about the area too!

Huntzz is a treasure hunt and tour guide in one app! With hunts in Harpenden, St Albans and further afield, you can explore your local area and learn while having fun. Every clue brings with it a nugget of interesting information. It's a great way to get your kids interested in history, museums and the world outside their devices!