Gadespring Watercress Beds

The Gade Valley chalk streams have supported watercress cultivation for centuries. Natural springs and abundant, clear, gravel-filtered water provided ideal conditions for growing the crop.

Commercial cultivation started in the early nineteenth century and early pioneers like William Sansom and Joseph Welsh established watercress beds in various locations, including at Boxmoor.

Gadespring Cress Beds is the site of a former watercress farm. The tour takes you over the old cress farm where the original concrete side channels still carry crystal clear water along the north & south edges of the old growing beds.
Acquired by the Box Moor Trust in 2011, the four acre site is now managed sympathetically for the benefit of wildlife & visitors.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 14 September:

1100, 1200, 1300 & 1400

Location & directions

Old Fishery Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 2BN

Directions:

Park at Camelot Rugby Club, Chaulden Lane or further afield. There is limited disabled parking, please contact the organiser to make arrangements. Hemel train station and car park are a short walk away.

Contact on day:

Alan Olive

Telephone number:

+447879435485

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please pre-book via eventbrite.

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/manage/events/1481881941779/details

Booking opens:

18 Aug 2025 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

The Cress Beds are accessed by a walk along a grass covered path which is a third of a mile (two thirds there and back). You are advised to wear suitable stout footwear. Please dress appropriately for the weather at the time. The total time for the tour will be around 40 minutes.

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

10

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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