Goffs Oak

Goffs Oak itself has no hotels, but its position just north of the M25 and close to Cheshunt and Waltham Cross makes it an easy village to visit while staying nearby. The surrounding area, part of the Lee Valley and Hertfordshire commuter belt, has a reasonable spread of budget and mid-range chain hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs geared towards both business travellers and those exploring the Lee Valley Regional Park, Paradise Wildlife Park or the historic towns of Hertford and Ware.

Staying in or around Cheshunt or Waltham Cross gives good access not just to Goffs Oak but to the wider Lee Valley, including its waterways, country parks and nature reserves, while still keeping you within easy striking distance of London via train or the M25. It is a practical rather than a destination base, suited to travellers who want a quiet, affordable stopover close to the capital rather than a resort-style stay. Expect straightforward, no-frills accommodation rather than boutique hotels, with the greater choice and variety found in Hertford, Ware or further into the Lee Valley towns.

The village itself is residential and low-key, but there is plenty to explore within a short drive.

• Paradise Wildlife Park — a family-friendly zoo near Broxbourne with big cats, a petting area and over 400 animals.
• Cheshunt Park — a pleasant open park with a golf course, woodland and walking routes, a few minutes from the village.
• Lee Valley Regional Park — a 26-mile stretch of parkland, lakes and waterways running along the River Lea near Cheshunt and Waltham Abbey, popular for walking, cycling and watersports.
• Amwell Nature Reserve — a wetland reserve near Hertford and Ware known for its birdlife, particularly wintering wildfowl.
• Hertford Castle — the surviving gatehouse and grounds of a medieval castle in the county town, a short drive north.
• Waltham Abbey Gardens and Church — the historic abbey church and grounds at Waltham Abbey, to the east towards the Essex border.

The village is home to two long-standing pubs: the Goffs Oak, a refurbished country pub with a gastro menu and large garden, and the Prince of Wales, a McMullen's pub serving Sunday roasts and real ale. Beyond these, options are limited within the village itself, with a wider choice of restaurants and cafes in nearby Cheshunt and Waltham Cross.

Goffs Oak sits on the fringe of the Lee Valley, a stretch of parkland, lakes and waterways along the River Lea that offers some of the more accessible outdoor space near London, though it is not a dedicated campsite destination in its own right. As with the rest of England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal, so anyone wanting to camp near Goffs Oak should look to established sites in the wider Lee Valley or Hertfordshire countryside rather than pitching informally in the surrounding fields or parkland.

The Lee Valley Regional Park, a short drive east towards Waltham Abbey and Cheshunt, has campsites geared towards families and those keen to explore the park's lakes, cycling routes and watersports facilities, and is the most obvious option for visitors basing themselves near Goffs Oak. Further afield, the Hertfordshire countryside around Hertford and Ware offers a handful of small rural sites for those wanting a quieter, more traditional camping experience away from the busier Lee Valley venues.

Camping here suits visitors happy with a simple, unglamorous trip rather than those seeking dramatic scenery: this is gentle, low-lying countryside and managed parkland rather than wilderness. Spring through early autumn is the best window, when the Lee Valley's trails and waterways are at their most usable and campsite facilities are fully open. For those who prefer more comfort, a small but growing number of glamping options — pods, safari tents and similar — have appeared across Hertfordshire and the Lee Valley in recent years, offering an easier introduction to sleeping outdoors without the need for your own kit.