We are the North East London Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
There is a limit of 15 attendees for this walk and it is essential to book through our website: www.nelr.org.uk. You will need to register, then you can access our walks and book a place.
The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating (for takeaways) and a toilet. After coffee we have an optional, gently undulating walk. We start by passing the station and walking a short distance along suburban roads, to reach Epping Forest. We follow the Greenwich Meridian Trail, on woodland tracks and paths, with some areas of meadow. After 1 mile we reach a path to Forest Road, where there are 123 bus stops (for Gants Hill, Blackhorse Road and Tottenham Hale stations). After 1½ miles there are bus stops on Woodford New Road (for the 20 bus to Loughton or Walthamstow Central stations).
We can use the toilet at the cafe in Highams Park, then we continue along the lake. After 3½ miles, we reach more bus stops on Whitehall Road (for 179 and 397 buses to Chingford, Loughton or South Woodford stations). We leave the forest by Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, where we can stop for toilets and maybe an ice cream or tea at Butler's Retreat. There will also be an opportunity to have a quick look in the visitor centre. Chingford Overground Station is half a mile away, with more toilets.
The walk is covered by Oyster Zones 4 & 5.
We meet for coffee by 10.45 and start the walk at about 11.00.
Bring a packed lunch if you plan to walk beyond Woodford New Road.
There is a limit of 15 attendees for this walk and it is essential to book - see the link to the NELR website.
This is a more rural walk and we will be using unmade woodland paths that could be muddy after rain, so walking shoes or walking boots are essential. There are cows grazing in the forest, but they are unlikely to be on our route and they are rather timid.
Meet for coffee by 10.45 at Wood Street Library Cafe, 53 Wood Street, E17 3JX. The nearest station is Wood Street Overground and it is on various bus routes. On leaving the station, turn right and cross Wood Street at the zebra crossing. Continue to your right, under the railway bridge, and cross Valentin Street at the mini roundabout. After the Post Office you reach the library. Turn left into a pedestrian area, with a Co-op ahead to the right and the library entrance on the left. Inside the library, turn right and go past the computer screens, to the cafe area beyond.
Chingford Overground Station
