Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest The Ditches Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest The Ditches Walking Route

This a very short 2 mile circular walk in Epping Forest and ideal for toddlers. After a very successful mile long linear walking route (in a straight line) last week in Knighton Woods I decided on a more adventurous 2 mile circular challenge in Epping Forest this weekend with Tedi. I plotted a very rough course from The Ditches car park to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary and back.

You’ll have to forgive me for the map because I forgot to start the walk at the beginning so the ‘straight line’ bit isn’t exactly accurate. From The Ditches car park we turned to the road and then walked right where there was a feint track going in the right direction. The basic premise of the walk is to head towards the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary (which basically meant turned right out of the car park and head down the road) keeping to the forest tracks with the road close to our left hand side.

Walks And Walking Epping Forest Walks The Ditches Map

Tedi found an abundance of muddy puddles, sticks, leaves and fictional spiders to make the first mile section of the walk last a good hour and I made sure he had plenty of fallen trees to clamber over before we had to join the road by the house (there is only one to contend with). So, carefully walking along the side of the road we then reached the entrance to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary at Birch Hall.

We then walked right along the lane until we joined the tracks to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary fence passing the footpath signpost and gate on our right hand side on the way. Sadly, the Deers were over the other side of the enclosure so I didn’t get a decent photograph. We then walked back on ourselves to the footpath signpost where we then walked left down the hill and at this stage Tedi was asking for ‘a carry’.

Walks And Walking Epping Forest Walks The Ditches

We then piggybacked down the hill to the next few gates before crossing the small stream and zig-zagging back up The Ditches to the car park, only stopping for muddy puddles and sticks on the way. This walk took us just under 2 hours to complete about 2 miles and, in terms of adventure, it is perfect for small children and toddlers that just want to run around, get muddy, climb trees and invent spiders!

Walks And Walking Epping Forest Walks The Ditches Muddy Puddles

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks Knighton Wood And Lords Bushes

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks Knighton Wood And Lords Bushes Walking Route

This is the shortest walk ever documented on Walks And Walking but one of the most enjoyable.

Now that Tedi has reached the grand old age of 2 and a half he has asked to go walking in Epping Forest more often, so apart from a few trips to Chingford Plain I have been looking for local walks that are easily accessible to where we live. I opened up my trusty Epping Forest map and found a small forest area called Knighton Wood and Lords Bushes which included a long main pathway called Monkhams Lane, which takes you right through the heart of the woods.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks Knighton Wood And Lords Bushes

So, with the promise of muddy puddles and the chance of meeting lots of dogs we set off from the barrier where Monkhams Lane joins Farm Way and headed north up to Knighton Lake and Knighton Lane.

Tedi walked the whole length of Monkhams Lane, taking us just under an hour to cover just under a mile.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks Knighton Wood And Lords Bushes – Monkhams Lane

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks Knighton Wood And Lords Bushes – Bivouac

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks Knighton Wood And Lords Bushes – Knighton Lake

About Knighton Wood And Lords Bushes

Lords Bushes and Knighton Wood form an ‘island’ of Epping Forest located in Buckhurst Hill and surrounded by houses. Together they cover some 53 hectares of mature woodland located on the eastern edge of the Epping Forest ridge. A number of water-filled hollows on the higher ground indicate the location of former gravel workings, the largest of which have been landscaped into attractive ponds.

Glacial sands and gravels cover the western segment and the ground slopes gently down onto the London Clay towards the east. Several small streams emerge at the junction of the gravels and the clay and flow eastwards towards the River Roding.

You can find out more about Knighton Wood and Lords Bushes here.

 

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Gifford Wood Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Gifford Wood Walking Route

It has been months since I have been able to make the short trip up to Epping Forest because of all the rain, snow and family commitments but with the weather and my diary finally clear I jumped on the tube and made my way up to Theydon Bois.

Since I received the Epping Forest Focus Spring 2013 newsletter I have been itching to do their new Gifford Wood Appeal walking route. ‘A circular walk crossing both Forest and Buffer Land, including the latest addition to Epping Forest, Gifford Wood.’ As the starting point was in Lodge Road, and with no lift or use of the car, I decided to start the walk at Theydon Bois London Underground Station and turn their 5 mile walking route into a 10 mile one.

From Theydon Bois tube I walked out of the station and turned right all the way up the B172 road to the Sixteen String Jack pub keeping to the right hand side of the road just passed Birch Hall Road where I then cut through the forest on my right hand side to join a path. I then turned left up this main track until I reached a car park on my left hand side where I kept straight ahead to the next car park at Jack’s Hill.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Gifford Wood Walking Route – Jacks Hill

Where the main track goes right I walked straight ahead following a narrower path that zig-zagged across the rough land until I reached Epping Road where I turned right and walked along for a short while before turning left into Lodge Road and the start of the Gifford Wood Appeal walking route.

Here are the instructions for the walk from the Epping Forest Spring 2013 newsletter, which you can find here.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Gifford Wood Walking Route Map

Starting from Lodge Road car park, walk down the closed road towards the Lodge Road gates at Copped Hall.

1. At the end of the road, cross Crown Hill Road and enter Copped Hall Estate via the pedestrian gate to the left of the
main vehicular access gates. Continue along the track through Warren Plantation and cross the motorway bridge.

2. On the other side of the motorway there is a small conifer plantation. At the end of it turn left and follow it along to
where it meets a hedge.

3. Bear right from the hedge and follow the wheel marks which lead to the far corner of the hill, providing great views of
Copped Hall.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Gifford Wood Walking Route – Copped Hall

4. In the corner of the field there is a narrow track, only about 50m (55 yds.) long, which leads onto a surfaced road. Turn left and pass through the gate, continue along the track to the left and head up to Long Street.

5. Here turn left and continue to the end of the road, bearing left once again into Fernhall Lane and up to the main road. Then turn right and follow the verge until it opens up – look for a small kissing gate on the right, go through it to enter Warlies Park.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Gifford Wood Walking Route – Warlies House

6. Head downhill towards Warlies House and go through the gate past the front of the house. Exit the field through the kissing gate adjacent to the private access road. Turn left for approximately 150m to the Upshire Road, cross over onto Sergeants Green and head left along the unmade track.

7. To the left and right of the track are the three fields recently acquired by the City of London and now added to Epping Forest and where you can find Gifford Wood.

8. Follow the track past the cottages, after around 180m the track joins another bridleway. Turn right and follow the track uphill bearing left at the top, running parallel to the M25, turn right at the end and cross the motorway.9. Follow the track past two bungalows and then at the corner take the left branch. Follow the track past two bungalows and then at the corner take the left branch along the track to the bottom, dog legging left then right. The path then heads up towards the Forest. Where the path reaches the Forest there is a posted ride which continues uphill onto the surfaced ride, turn left and follow the ride back to the car park at Lodge Road.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Gifford Wood Walking Route – Fallow Deer

I then retraced my steps back to the Sixteen String Jack pub and crossed over the road to the track by Birch Hall Farm where I popped by the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary and took some pictures. After a few great close up shots I walked back down to Theydon Bois tube station after a very enjoyable 10 miles, taking me just just over 3 and a half hours to complete.

Walks And Walking – Day Walks in Epping Forest

Day Walks in Epping Forest

These are challenging day walks in Epping Forest and typically over 10 miles. A really long walk means you can truly immerse yourself in these ancient woodlands and try some of the lesser known walking routes. You can also explore some of the real hidden treasures found in Epping Forest. Always be fully prepared for good long walks and long distance walking routes by taking plenty of fluids, refreshments and plenty of plasters just in case. I have highlighted my favourite day walks in Epping Forest in bold below, both great walks with plenty of sightings of the Epping Forest Fallow Deer.

Epping Forest Fallow Deer

Copped Hall Walk
A great 10 mile circular walk from Loughton to Copped Hall House, using some of the most popular walking routes in Epping Forest.

Loughton Walk
A solid 10 mile circular walk from Loughton to Jack’s Hill and Copped Hall House following well-known Epping Forest walking routes.

Abridge Walk
An easy 11 mile circular walk from Hainault Forest Country Park to Abridge and back following popular Essex walking routes in Epping Forest.

Queen Boudicca Walk
An epic 12 mile circular walk, and one of my Epping Forest favourite walking routes, from Epping Town to Ambresbury Banks and the Queen Boudicca Obelisk with plenty of sightings of the Epping Forest Fallow Deer at Copped Hall.

Theydon Bois Walk
A solid 13 mile circular Epping Forest walk from Theydon Bois following The Essex Way walking routes to the Roman Road and Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve.

Epping Forest District Walk
An easy 14 miles circular walk from Epping Station to Birching Coppice, North Weald Bassett, Hastingwood and back via Thornwood. This is another of my favourite Epping Forest walking routes.

The Forest Way Walk
The Forest Way is a 25 mile long distance linear walk along the walking routes, footpaths and green lanes of Epping Forest and Hatfield Forest.

I have taken quite a few photographs of Fallow Deer in Epping Forest but this one was taken by Iain West, you can find his website here.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Chestnut Trail Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Chestnut Trail Walking Route

This is a walk in Epping Forest that I completed back in March that we decided to do today as the weather was so nice. So Mrs Walks And Walking got the child carrier out and we strapped Tedi in for this very gentle family walking route in Wanstead Park. It’s well signposted, very flat and covers just under 3.5 miles taking just under an hour and a half to complete. Below are the pictures from today and to see the full walk description and map please click here Epping Forest Chestnut Trail.

As we made our way from the entrance we followed the pathway and the distinct green arrow waymarkers seeing many large white egg shaped balls in the water, which we thought were probably Swan eggs, as well as not only one Heron we actually spotted two!

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route Entrance

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route Lake

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route Swan Egg

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route 1st Heron

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route 2nd Heron

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route Duck

 

Essex Walks – Epping Forest Bluebell Wood Video

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest Bluebell Wood Video – Gilwell Park Entrance

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest Bluebell Wood Video.

This video was taken on a 6 mile Essex walk in Epping Forest when we decided to try a circular walking route from Gilwell Park. Along the way we met some lady walkers who told us about a secret bluebell wood, so we did a quick detour, set my camera to video mode and had a good look around. The full article can be found here Walks and Walking: Epping Forest Walks In Gilwell Park

Essex Walks – Epping Forest Fallow Deers Hainault Videos

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest Fallow Deers Hainault Videos

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest Fallow Deer Hainault Videos.

A good 11 mile Essex walk in Epping Forest from Hainault Forest Country Park including visits to Chigwell Row, Pudding Lane, Taylors Farm, Abridge, Lambourne House and then back to Hainault Forest Country Park where I saw some Epping Forest Fallow Deer. The full walking route can be found here Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Abridge Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Jacks Hill Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Jacks Hill Walking Route

This Essex walk in Epping Forest started in Jacks Hill car park near Theydon Bois walking down to Great Monk Wood before heading back up to Debden Green and the Deer Sanctuary finishing off at Ambresbury Banks Fort then back to Jacks Hill car park.

When I was planning this walking route I didn’t expect it to be quite so demanding but there was a lot of up and down climbs through Epping Forest and with Tedi in the child carrier it felt a lot tougher than it should have been. There was heavy rain the previous day and I should have worn my Scarpa walking boots but with the recent prolonged spell of dry weather I thought my Salomon walking boots would have been OK but there were a few slippery patches, especially off the main path tracks through the forest.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Jacks Hill Walking Route Map

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Jacks Hill Walking Route – Jacks Hill Car Park

From Jacks Hill car park I walked southwards in to Epping Forest on the wide gravel track turning right down to Furze Ground and Tippa Brook. I then walked down to the A121 at Goldings Hill and Broadstrood car park crossing over the road to walk along the wide grassy path down to Great Monk Wood walking right and left along the Green Ride to a junction of tracks where I turned left on to Clay Ride down to Blackweir Hill. I then continued my walk down to Baldwins Pond and Loughton Brook to then walk up to the track running along the outskirts of Loughton by house no. 2 turning left along Baldwins Hill road passed the houses back to the field with the Forester Arms ahead to the left hand side.

I then walked up a path to a seat and down to the edge of the forest keeping right along the track back to Baldwins Hill and house no. 47 opposite turning left along Baldwins Hill to the A121 road where I then walked left passed Goldings Hill Pond on my left hand side where I saw a turtle enjoying the sunshine.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Jacks Hill Walking Route – Turtle At Goldings Hill Ponds

I then walked right at house no. 2 on to a Gregsons Ride along the edge of the forest turning left to the road at Debden Green turning right passed The Mount keeping left just after Debden Green Road turning left at the end to Debden Lane turning left at Red Acres on to the bridleway in to Birch Wood. I continued to follow this track through the right hand side of the woodland to the Deer Sanctuary fence where I saw some Bucks fairly close by with the Does further away.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Jacks Hill Walking Route – Bucks At The Deer Sanctuary

I walked along this track to Birch Hall Farm following the track as it turns in to a drive to West Lodge and the B172 road turning right in to Theydon Bois passing Birch Hall on my right hand side and Sixteen String Jack Inn on my left hand side. I walked along this road passed the last house to an open space taking the middle path back in to the forest across the field to the edge of the forest walking right and then left to cross a footbridge over Genesis Slade keeping to the feint path to the right hand side of the forest with the boundaries of the house gardens on my right hand side climbing up to a fence on my right.

I then continued my walk straight ahead passed the edge of the golf course on my right hand side crossing a bridge and continuing along the wide path turning left at the next junction along the wide gravel track that undulated before passing Ambresbury Banks Fort on my right hand side keeping straight ahead back to the B172 and Jacks Hill opposite taking me 2.5 hours to cover 7 miles.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Jacks Hill Walking Route – Dad, You’re Going The Wrong Way Again!

 

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Walking Route

The highlight of this walking route was supposed to be the Queen Boudicca (Boudica, Boadicea) Obelisk but it turned out to be the sighting of 4 groups of Epping Forest Fallow Deer, the Goodyear Blimp, Field Mice and a Muntjac encapsulating all that is truly wonderful about Epping Forest. I planned to do 10 miles starting and finishing at Epping London Underground Station, walking down to Ambresbury Banks Iron Age Hill Fort where Queen Boudicca made her last stand against the Romans, down in to the heart of Epping Forest, back up towards the Obelisk in Upshire and then a few detours to find the Fallow Deer at Copped Hall and then back to Epping station. I went to all my favourite places to track the Deers and was really lucky to see so many, it extended the walk by an extra 2 miles but was well worth it.

It was perfect walking weather today; a beautiful Spring morning, clear blue skies, crisp fresh air and a very slight breeze. My Scarpa walking boots are now fully broken in and I packed a windproof walking jacket in my rucksack if the weather did happen to turn.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Walking Route Map

Exiting Epping station I walked right and then crossed the road to the alley way at the top of the car park on the left. I walked along this alley skirting around the car park turning left on to Centre Drive and then walking right up Western Avenue, the 4th road on the right hand side to now join the Centenary Walk that I would be following for the next few miles. At the footpath signpost I turned right and followed this track all the way up to Bell Common where I turned left and followed the lane by the houses to The Forest Gate Inn where I then walked left down Theydon Road turning right on to the wide grassy path by the 3 wooden stumps and large drain cover to Epping Cricket Club. I then walked round to the left to enter Epping Forest and walked straight ahead and slightly downhill keeping to the Centenary Walk’s wide gravel track to Ambresbury Banks Iron Age Hill Fort.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Obelisk Walking Route – Ambresbury Banks Hill Fort

Just after Ambresbury Banks I walked sharp right on to a wide gravel track now leaving the Centenary Walk doubling back on myself before bending round to the left to join Epping Road B1393 crossing straight over the road by the metal barriers to join another wide gravel track swinging left where I then walked along parallel to just before the A121 road I walked right and then around to my left to rejoin the A121 road where I crossed over to join The Forest Way at the signpost to Loughton at Woodridden Hill. It was here that I spotted to Goodyear Blimp flying over head and managed to get a good photograph through a gap in the trees.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Obelisk Walking Route – Goodyear Blimp Flying Over Essex

Just before the next road I walked right and headed steeply downhill and leaving The Forest Way to Claypit Hill Road turning right and walking along the banks of the small stream where I heard lots of rustling in the undergrowth where a Field Mouse popped up. I continued straight ahead and up Woodgreen Road walking underneath the M25 through Wood Green and as the road then went sharp left I walked right on to a path and stile passing the house on my left keeping the hedge on my left to the next still and footbridge to the track and next footbridge climbing uphill with Upshire Church in view. I then walked through the stiles around the back of the house to the Horseshoe Hill in Upshire with the Horseshoes Inn on my left hand side. I walked right passing Upshire Church on my right hand side to the Upshire Village signpost where I turned left down Fernhall Lane keeping left at the fork all the way down to Obelisk Farm where I then turned right on to the track with the Obelisk in view on my left hand side.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Obelisk Walking Route – Obelisk Close Up

I continued along this track to Long Street where I walked right and saw a Muntjac running across the road ahead of me. Midway along Long Street I walked left along the track towards Lodge Farm Stables turning right at the signpost by the gate straight ahead to a small track on my right hand side to a kissing gate. It was here that I had my first sighting of the Epping Forest Fallow Deer, a small group of fairly young deer that were hidden from view in all the undergrowth. I continued along this track where I met some fellow walkers who had just seen a large group of Deer so we exchanged sightings and moved on. Shortly afterwards I had my second sighting and it was the much larger group that were enjoying the sunshine in the open fields. Unfortunately, being such a nice day they were lots of people and quite a few dogs bounding around so after getting some photos and taking a short video of the Fallow Deers they were scared off.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Obelisk Walking Route – Fallow Deers

I then walked back along the same track and continued on to my next spot to find some more of the Epping Forest Fallow Deers. Walking through the kissing gate I then walked right and back on to the main track to Copped Hall climbing slightly uphill along the lane and then forking left down the track across fields turning left at the lane by The White House and through a stile along the Permissive Path to Little Rookery Wood with Spratt’s Hedgerow down to my left hand side. I then had my third sighting of the Deer in the fields below so I walked slowly down to try to get some good photographs and as I did a mountain biker came hairing down the lane and scared them all off.

 

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Obelisk Walking Route – Fallow Deer Copped Hall

Feeling as my Epping Forest Fallow Deer sightings were now all over I walked back to rejoin the Permissive Path heading back to the lane when I had my fourth sighting of a small group of adult Deer grazing by the edge of the woodland. The wind was blowing in the right direction so they didn’t pick up my scent as I walked really slowly downhill by the edge of the woodland to try to get some decent photographs.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Obelisk Walking Route – Close To Fallow Deers

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Obelisk Walking Route – Looking Back To Copped Hall

Feeling jubilant at all the Deer sightings I walked back up to the lane and walked left along the lane all the way to the gate on my right hand side and the footpath signpost to walk up the side of the field to a bench, where I looked back to the views of Copped Hall, and through a gap in the hedges up the right hand side of the field to a very old stile walking left along the narrow track by the side of the M25 to the next stile keeping left to join a lane to the High Road. I crossed over the road to Epping Cricket Club and walked around the front of the pavilion passing the nets and back round to rejoin my walking route from earlier.

Walking along the wide grassy path to the road I walked left up Theydon Road and right down Bell Common turning right at the waymarker down through the woodland to Western Avenue and along Centre Drive turning right down the alley way by the car park and back to Epping Forest London Underground Station after a thoroughly enjoyable 12 miles taking me exactly 3 hours.

 

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route Wanstead Park

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route Wanstead Park

This is another of the brilliant new Epping Forest walking routes offering a leisurely walk in Wanstead Park perfect for all the family. Claiming to be 5 miles and taking about 2 hours this walking route covered 3.3 miles taking me 1 hour and 15 minutes according to ViewRanger. The arrows on the official Epping Forest Chestnut Trail are also pointing in the opposite direction to the dark green arrow waymarkers found at frequent intervals at every turning point on the walk. As there was a waymarker at the very start of the walk I decided to follow them and not the direction the map would have taken me.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks – The Chestnut Trail Walking Route Wanstead Park

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks – The Chestnut Trail Walking Route – Wanstead Park Information Board

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks – The Chestnut Trail Walking Route – Wanstead Park Squirrel

From the car park at the end of Warren Road I walked left following  the dark green arrow waymarker taking the middle track at the Epping Forest Information Board by the metal barrier on to the wide grassy path to the lake, an area known as The Glade, walking left at the waymarker and then straight ahead at the next waymarker keeping right at the stream and the next waymarker walking along the wide gravel track to the next waymarker all the time being kept company by Grey Squirrels and the abundance of ducks, geese and swans.

I then turned right at the next waymarker around The Canal to the remains of the old building on my right hand side walking right at the next waymarker forking right at the next waymarker over the bridge forking left to the next waymarker and then keeping left at the next waymarker forking left at the next waymarker and then turning left at the next waymarker at the bottom of the lake through the metal barrier to the road. I then turned right along the pavement and then right back in to Wanstead Park at the next waymarker keeping straight ahead at the next waymarker.

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks – The Chestnut Trail Walking Route – Wanstead Park The Canal

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks – The Chestnut Trail Walking Route – Wanstead Park Ruins

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Walks – The Chestnut Trail Walking Route – Wanstead Park The Temple

I then walked right at the next waymarker and then straight ahead passing the Wanstead signpost straight ahead to the metal barrier and next waymarker keeping straight ahead through the tree-lined avenue all the way up to the next waymarker at The Temple. I then walked left following the waymarker forking left at the next waymarker turning left at the next waymarker on to the lane keeping straight ahead at the next waymarker and back to the car park.