Hatfield Heath gives the name to the village that surrounds it. It is an open area of grassland dotted around the edges by large oak trees. The heath has been used as a meeting point in the area for centuries as it stands on fertile land at a natural crossroads. In more recent time the heath has been adopted by town folk, particularly those from nearby Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford, as a country retreat. It is a popular place for sports, cricket in summer and football in the winter. It is also a great place for wildlife and walking as it is close to the edge of Hatfield Forest.