15.5 km 10 miles 3/10
A pleasant rural walk near London, devised by the London Walker User Group in collaboration with SWC There are written directions for guidance but use of the GPS route is advised.
Places of interest en route include nature reserves, an old church and a Railway Heritage Centre.
This walk was requested for today to mark the 3 years since we lost Stephen Backes (aka Bridie). The walk is, of course, open to all, but, for those who knew him, an optional spur in the afternoon takes you to where he lies.
Transport
Get the Central Line to Theydon Bois to arrive at 10.30. Use Journey planner to time your arrival.
Finish at Epping Station, also on the Central Line. Both stations are in zone 6. It is also possible to finish at North Weald and get a bus to Epping. Maybe even a heritage bus.
Lunch
The recommended stop is the Dog House, (formerly the Moletrap) open from 12 tel: 01992 522093 Picknickers can stop at the nearby village pond. (There’s a bench). Booking advisable
You also have the Kings Head in North Weald tel:01992 525001 and a café at the Railway Centre
Tea
The earliest version of this walk rounded things off with a visit to the Theydon Oak, which on one memorable occasion was hosting a beer and cider festival. Guess what walkers, they're hosting another one today! Directions to that pub have been restored as an alternative ending.
For a quieter end to the day, the main route takes you past The Garnon Bushes pub 13 km into the walk +44 1992 560211
There are also any number of pubs in Epping High Street including the George and Dragon, the Black Lion and the Duke of Wellington, as well as various cafes.
Directions here. t=swc.409
1 comment:
N=11 at the appointed time and place, caught up later by N=2, makes n=13 on a day with w=some_cloud-mostly-sunny
The walk’s author, armed with secateurs to tame any obstructions, fell behind and was not seen again.
There was a schism at the Doghouse, with picnickers going ahead, leaving the pub goers in their wake. A happy accident there resulted in us getting a free surplus pizza. that didn’t go to waste.
1 of the back group dropped out at North Weald and got a bus.
I don’t know of anyone visiting Stephen’s grave, certainly none of the back group.
There was a bit of confusion at the turn off for the Oak ending. The path there is very indistinct and involved scrambling through the undergrowth. But we got through and it wasn’t boggy. Let’s hope Mr Snippy’s secateurs set to work on that bit.
The Theydon Oak was indeed having a beer and cider festival . Some indulged more than others, but, on the whole, showed admirable restraint. Mmmmm Beesting.
After that, a brisk wobble to the station ended another grand day out.
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