Nomansland covers 52.5 hectares (130 acres) of open space owned jointly by the Althrop Estate and Wheathampstead Parish Council and sits astride both the B651 road to Wheathampstead and Ferrers lane. There’s a car park alongside Ferrers lane, almost opposite Down Green lane.
Having been the site of a glacial lake in the last ice age and Iron Age habitation thereafter, it has hosted such diverse events as inter-monastic strife, the final stage of the Second Battle of St Alban’s, bare knuckle prize fighting and horse racing. Along with the presence of a notorious Highwaywoman (Lady Katherine Ferrers) and the hoard of Roman gold coins the Common doesn’t lack history.
Today it is a popular space for dog walking, horse riding and, over the permitted zone, flying model aircraft. Ranging from a wooded area on the northern flank through heathland to a wild flower area on the southern side, and with Heartwood Forest as neighbour, this is a delightful open space, rich in wildlife, for all to enjoy.