Nell Gwynns Monument In Park Wood

Nell Gwynn's Monument in Park Wood is a stone obelisk standing in woodland above Tring Park, in the Dacorum district of Hertfordshire. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the royal mistress. It is an 18th-century landscape feature of the Tring Park estate and is now a nationally listed structure.

What is Nell Gwynn's Monument?

The obelisk is about 50 feet (roughly 15 metres) tall. It is built of limestone ashlar over a red brick core and stands on a circular clearing among the trees on the hillside overlooking Tring Park. It carries no inscription, so there is no plaque telling its story on site.

It is listed Grade II on the National Heritage List for England (entry 1078002). It was first listed on 21 September 1951 and the entry was last amended on 29 May 1986.

Who built it, and why the name?

Historic England dates the structure to the early 1700s and attributes the design to James Gibbs for William Gore, the owner of the Tring Park estate. It was meant as a focal point in the designed landscape.

The name is purely local usage. Nell Gwyn, the actress and mistress of Charles II, died in 1687, before the obelisk went up, and local writers note that no verifiable link to her has been found.

Where is it?

The monument lies in Park Wood on Oddy Hill, in Tring parish, and the heritage register places it in Dacorum district. The nearest towns are Tring and Berkhamsted, and the setting is the wooded Chiltern Hills. Tring Park is owned by Dacorum Borough Council and has been managed by the Woodland Trust since the 1990s.

What will you see?

• a tall pale-stone obelisk glimpsed between the trees,
• a circular clearing around its base,
• typical Chiltern hillside woodland,
• a second Grade II structure in the park's north-east corner, a summerhouse.

There is no visitor centre or tourist infrastructure here. It works best as a destination for a woodland walk rather than a stand-alone half-day attraction.

When should you go?

The woods look best in spring and autumn. Paths on the slope can be muddy after rain, so wear sturdy footwear. In winter, light fades quickly under the trees, so plan your walk for daylight hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is the monument connected to Nell Gwyn? There is no evidence of it. The name is a local tradition, and the obelisk was built after her death.

Who designed the obelisk? According to Historic England, James Gibbs, for William Gore.

Is there an inscription? No, the structure bears no inscription.

Is it protected? Yes. It is listed Grade II (entry 1078002).