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Mardley was one of the historic manors of the parish of Welwyn. Mardley Heath was unenclosed heathland and wood pasture until it was enclosed in about 1810, when it was planted as woodland. In the 20th century gravel and sand were extracted from the centre of the site leaving a broad band of semi-natural woodland around the perimeter. This ceased in 1967 and the largest pit was used as landfill until 1976. Much of the rest of the excavated land, which consisted of mounds and hollows reverted to birch woodland and since then the site has been improved and designated as a nature reserve in 1998.

For more information see Welwyn Hatfield Council web page on Mardley Heath Link and the associated reports.