12.8km (8.0m) Difficulty 1/10.
Explore the southern part of Epping Forest’s ancient woodlands, mostly a site of special scientific interest. The walk takes you past Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, a unique timber-framed survivor from Tudor times (free entry) Open 11-1 and 2-4.
Travel: Start and finish are both on the Central Line. (Zone 6)
Meet outside Leytonstone Central Line station at 10.30 Plan your journey here.
There are toilets at Loughton station before the ticket barrier.
Walk directions here t=swc.241
A shorter option 5.8 miles would involve ducking out at Chingford rail station, just 10 mins from the Hunting Lodge.
Any superhumans up for a 14.4 mile walk, could combine today's walk with walk 197 and finish at Epping Station (also on the Central line). Link up details are given. Find the other walk on this page.
Lunch: there are two establishments near the Hunting Lodge
The Royal Forest 4 Rangers Road, open throughout the day at weekends. Seems to have gone a bit gastro. 020 8149 7879 ...and... (recommended) the Larder at Butlers Retreat 12 Rangers Road, Tel 020 7998 7858. Originally a 19th century barn it is now an up-market café. Picnic nearby
Tea: There are places in Loughton High Road. The Wagon Boulangerie at 174, Costa Coffee 230. Sadly, the Wetherspoons has closed but there are other pubs, such as these, selected at random. The Standard at 126,The Hollybush at 140
1 comment:
Just four at the start of the walk. These brave souls did the morning section in heavy rain, getting soaked but proud. Four more 'sensible' ones decided to skip the walk and went straight to the pub Royal Forest for lunch. n=8. Two walkers joined lunch, so 6 ate in the pub. Later, two picnickers joined for a drink. Food was excellent, seabream, duck, pie, etc, four could not resist pistachio souffle for dessert. We were there for almost 2 hours. Just as well, by the time we left the pub, it has stopped raining. Two decided to call it day. Six , in 2 groups of three, did the afternoon walk, we even finished the day in sunshine. A nice day out in good company! PS. Royal Forest is well worth a visit, its reputation lives on....
Post a Comment