Cassiobury Estate

Near Watford, the map is bisected by the Grand Union canal. To the east is mainly parkland with strips of runnable woodland. To the west, marshy semi-open and woodland rises towards the golf course which divedes the area. Whippendell Wood ( which also exists as a mapped area on its own ) to west of the golf course forms the north-western third of the map.

When travelling to an event held on this area, please use the travel directions to the location specified in the event details rather than the location(s) listed below.

Grid Reference : TQ 092 968 - Gade Avenue Car Park
Grid Reference : TQ 080 982 - Grove Mill Lane Car Park
Grid Reference : TQ 072 976 - Rousebarn Lane Car Park
1:50,000 - O.S. Landranger Map 166 - Luton & Hertford, Hitchin & St Albans.
1:50,000 - O.S. Landranger Map 176 - West London, Rickmansworth & Staines.
1:25,000 - O.S. Explorer 172 ( Most of area ) - Chiltern Hills East, High Wycombe, Maidenhead.
1:25,000 - O.S. Explorer 173 ( Extreme E tip of area only ) - London North, Harrow & Enfield.

Streetmap : Area locator link to be added, Detailed view link to be added
Multimap : Area locator link to be added, Detailed view link to be added

Size of printed map ( approximate ) : #
Actual size of area : #

Previous events held on this area : details to be added

Other Links : links to be added

The History of Cassiobury Estate

• Cayshobury Grove and the adjacent Wheppinddon Grove were originally mentioned in the Domesday Book.
• In 1546 Henry VIII granted the Manor of Cassiobury to Sir Richard Morrison who built a large house in beautiful gardens with many woodland walks.
• In 1661 his great great grandson became the first Earl of Essex who rebuilt the house and added the renowned formal gardens.
• In 1672 an Avenue of 296 lime trees was planted linking the gardens to Whippendell Wood. Part of the Avenue can be seen today between Cassiobury Park and the woods.
• In 1837 the park was 693 acres, the Home Park and the Upper Park being separated by the River Gade.
• During the 19th century The Grand Union Canal was built following closely the line of the River Gade.
• In 1930 some of the land was bought by Watford Borough Council and since then has been used for public recreation.
• The first Permanent Orienteering Course in Whippendell Wood was opened in 1968.