Rickmansworth combines nature by the water with historic buildings and cultural attractions. Rickmansworth Aquadrome is a Local Nature Reserve: Batchworth Lake and Bury Lake are surrounded by woodland and open grassland. Waterbirds are particularly important there; they include mallards and great crested grebes. The Aquadrome also forms the northern gateway to Colne Valley Regional Park.
Lakes, birdlife and paths
The paths around the lakes at Rickmansworth Aquadrome are fully accessible. Rickmansworth Station is a five-minute walk from the Aquadrome. If you are interested in cycling, walking or riding, the Ebury Way offers a route intended for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. It crosses the rivers Colne, Chess and Gade, as well as the Grand Union Canal.
At the Aquadrome, sailing, water skiing, fishing and model sailing are among the activities offered by the affiliated clubs. Regular boat trips run between Batchworth Lock and Stockers Lock; check availability before your trip. So alongside paths and birdlife, there are also activities on the water to choose from, though these are available through the respective clubs or as a boat trip.
Walks and current visitor information
In Scotsbridge, you can walk alongside the River Chess and observe wildlife. The river is considered a rare chalk stream worldwide. The recreational facilities also set Scotsbridge apart from the paths at the Aquadrome: they include a skate park, a play area, and tennis and football courts.
The Ebury Play Area in Rickmansworth Aquadrome was open after its renovation in July 2026; check its current status before visiting. The Woodland Walk remained closed in June 2026 following the discovery of high-risk asbestos near the path. Check before your trip to see whether the closure is still in effect. The two notices concern different areas of the Aquadrome and therefore provide different practical guidance for planning your visit.
Buildings, history and culture
St Mary's Church offers several specific points of interest for exploring architecture and art: its tower dates from 1630. A window was created in 1896 by Morris & Company; the principal elements are by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. A guide takes visitors around the church and covers its architecture, history and furnishings.
The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Augustine's Hall are Grade II listed buildings. The church was built in 1909 to designs by Arthur Young and adjoins a late 19th-century malthouse, now known as St Augustine's Hall. The Bury, a large 16th-century timber-framed building that was once the manor house of Rickmansworth, stands on the southern edge of the town.
Basing House is also a Grade II listed building of considerable historic interest. The present house was built in 1740. Part of Basing House is said to incorporate a section of the house where William Penn lived. Watersmeet adds to the cultural attractions as a venue for arts and entertainment, with live performances.
The nearby Three Rivers Museum of Local History shows how people in the Three Rivers area lived and worked. It is open Wednesday to Friday from 2 to 4 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm; check the opening hours before your visit. The monthly market on Rickmansworth High Street provides another regular event: it has been held since April 2022 and attracts more than 40 traders.
Discover more destinations: Buntingford, Bishops Stortford, Tewin, Codicote, Hertford, Waltham Cross, Kings Langley, Wadesmill.
For the wider travel guide: Hertfordshire.
