Whippendell Wood (or Whippendell Woods) is an ancient woodland on the edges of Watford, covering an area of 165.3 acres. It is owned and managed by Watford Borough Council. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and has held this status since 1954.
Whippendell Wood is an ancient woodland, meaning it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600. The wood was formerly part of the Cassiobury estate. There is an avenue of lime trees dating back to 1672, which runs diagonally through the wood.
The northern section of the wood was replanted at some point in the 18th or 19th century. Other phases of clearing and replanting followed in the 1940s and 1960s. In 1987, a storm damaged many of the trees in the wood.
A range of trees can be found in the wood, which is predominantly composed of oak, beech, ash and silver birch. There are also a significant number of cherry, hawthorn, hazel, holly and hornbeam trees. The wood is known for its bluebells, which are particularly prominent in April–May. There are also a few rare species of fungus, including Crepidotus cinnabarinus, which has only been recorded on three other occasions in the whole of Europe.
Whippendell Wood has been used as a filming location for Star Wars; exterior shots for scenes set on the planet Naboo were filmed here for the 1999 prequel, The Phantom Menace. Whippendell has also featured in television series such as Holby City and Silent Witness.
