EB4 Epping Forest

Epping Forest has been the playground of Londoners since 1878 when the Corporation of London became Conservators of Epping Forest and the general public were granted legal access for the first time. The Corporation acted to prevent greedy landowners from enclosing what remained of the Forest, (it's hard to visualise the City as champions of the comman man). Epping had been one of the many Royal Forests and covered much of Essex. The Forest was made up of a mixture of woodland and grazing, the trees provided cover for the deer and the locals grazed their cows and made off with firewood, pretty much as they do today. Epping is full of large, pollarded oaks, many centuries old. Pollarding prevented deer from eating the new growth. Sadly I didn't pass one on my walks but they are very impressive.

What remains of Epping forms a crescent shape extending from the Lower Forest just south of Harlow to Wanstead Flats, less than 6 miles from the heart of London. The main part of the Forest lies between Chingford and Epping with Loughton at the centre. Centenary Walk extends from 12 miles from Manor House to Epping, linking all the various parcels of land. It's a very enjoyable walk but comes with two particular hazards; firstly, the waymarking is poor and secondly, you have to cross some very busy roads. The highest point is Ambresbury Banks near Epping but Pole Hill, the highest point in Waltham Forest, has the best view, overlooking Central London, the Olympic Stadium, Millenium Dome and the aerials of Crystal Palace.

The undoubted jewel in the crown is the Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, just south of the Essex border at Chingford. Actually built for Henry VIII, it provided a grandstand for monarch and guests to watch and/or participate in the hunt by loosing of their arrows at the deer, a latterday shooting party. It's free to visit and open most weekends. The other popular place is High Beach, so called from the sandy nature of the soil. It's the location of the Visitor Centre, several pubs, an ice cream van and hordes of picnickers on sunny days. Sadly, the Epping Forest Festival, a celebration of all things foresty, has been discontinued due to budget cuts. Shame!!


Walk 6 took me around the border with Redbridge, from Cabin Hill in Hainault Forest to the mighty river Ching on Whitehall Plain. It started and ended in trees but otherwise, you couldn't see the forest for the houses. This is the point where the Green Belt disappears and London and Essex merge. I'm pretty sure that the entrance to Grange Hill Station is in Essex but the platforms are in Redbridge. There was a very fine view from Grange Hill east towards the QEII bridge, Tilbury power station and Havering Ridge, giving me a chance to see how far I've come.

Then followed a long road section through Chigwell to Luxborough Lane to cross the M11. Just pass the Spurs training ground was a small bit of greenery along the Roding valley before more pavement pounding to Buckhurst Hill. I stopped for a snack at a local bakers but wouldn't recommend it. The last part of the route went through Lord's Bushes, past pretty St John's pond and ended on Whitehall Plain. The bridge over the Ching marks the point were Essex, Redbridge and Waltham Forest meet. I can only assume the Ching was a much mightier river if it required a ford because you wouldn't need to be Jade Johnson to jump over it now. The weather was mild and sunny, the trees wore their autumn colours, a pleasant 10 miles.

Walk 7 was a short hop taking me through Epping Forest to the River Lea or Lee, the traditional western boundary of Essex. Starting just over the border at the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge, I followed the River Ching to Connaught water and then through the Bury Wood to Sewardstonebury. There isn't much waymarking in the Forest and it's quite easy to get lost so I had to use Brimble's Guide to Epping Forest, with large scale maps, to navigate. Once across Bury Road, I followed Woodman's Ride to Yardley Hill and down the other side to Sewardstone. It was another crisp, sunny autumnal day. However this is not the place to come if you want a quiet walk. You'll meet mountains bikers, horse riders, gangs of joggers, packs of dog walkers, rabbles of ramblers, screaming kids and blokes flying model aeroplanes, to name just a few. A pleasant, if crowded, 3 miles.

60 miles completed

CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW TO OPEN ALBUM