Variety is the spice of life for Len Banister in Epping Forest
FIRST let me apologise to all those awaiting the promised Eton walk.
For technical reasons this walk has been delayed but will appear in the near future.
This week we are starting from Snaresbrook for a walk which takes us over less well known areas of Epping Forest.
The outing will be full of variety: passing Eagle Pond which, at this time of the year, is bursting with water fowl; walking through glades (called slades) and fine woodland; crossing over a reservoir the size of a cathedral; encountering Bulrush Pond which used to be a popular boating venues and peeking at the italianate church of St Peter's-in- the Forest.
In addition, you will get some spectacular views of the London skyline.
About halfway round the route you will pause at the memorial to the birth of gipsy Rodney Smith. This rough-hewn block of Cornish granite carries a plaque and a chiselled relief showing a Romany caravan.
Rodney Smith who became a celebrated international gospel preacher was said to have been born on this spot in 1860.
1. Start From Snaresbrook station, turn left and walk up to the first set of traffic lights to turn right and then go left along Snaresbrook Road at the second set with Eagle Pond on the left. Keep going until you reach a car park on the left and this is where those who have travelled by car will join us.
2. 0.5 mile/0.9km On the other side of the road opposite the car park go past a metal barrier to join a path. Where the path forks go straight on and keep forward at the next junction to pass Forest School on your left. The path, which is less clear for a short distance, becomes stony alongside woodland. Soon you are walking along a wide, green glade known as Gilberts Slade. White topped posts guide the way forward. The din of traffic increases as you pass through particularly attractive woodland to reach the Waterworks roundabout.
3.1.4 miles/2.2km Cross an asphalt track and go through a subway, going left and left again through another subway emerging to climb a grass bank. Ahead is a raised area which covers a large reservoir holding 20 million gallons of water. Go right to skirt the reservoir, picking up a path to the right of a white post. This takes you to a bridge over the North Circular Road which you cross.
4. 1.7 miles/2.7km Keep forward along the path on the other side. As houses come into sight ahead, look to your left to join a narrow path leading to a large block of stone. This is the memorial to Gypsy Smith mentioned in the introduction. Continue on past the stone block to go left on a broad track. Keep forward across one cross-track and ignore a fork to the right and eventually go left at a second cross track with the road in front. The path swings to the left and, momentarily, runs parallel with the road before descending right under it so that you can walk along a raised walkway to go up steps on the other side.
5. 2.4 miles/3.8km Go left to walk on the top of a grassy bank alongside Beacontree Avenue. At a cross track opposite the entrance to Belle vue Road turn left and immediately fork right. On reaching a wide track go right to walk up to a bridge which takes you across Forest Road.
6. 2.7 miles/4.4km Over to your left is another covered reservoir and the Water Works pumping station, to your right is a comprehensive view of the London skyline.
Keep forward and, after some time, descend to cross an earth bridge. Fork right at a white topped post and aim for another post in the distance ahead. (On the right is a vast 10 acre allotment run by the Spade Husbandry Society, a condition of renting is that the ground should be dug by spade at least once a year).
Continue to pass by Bullrush Pond, forking left by the white post to approach the white angular building of the Rising Sun, before reaching the pub, fork right along a narrow path to reach an asphalt track (through the trees you can see the chuch of St Peter's in-the Forest).
Turn right on the track for about 10 metres then go left along another woodland track to eventually walk between two roads. Keep with this path to reach the cross roads.
7. 3.4 miles/5.5km Cross the road using the traffic light system. On the other side turn right and cross Snaresbrook road to follow a path on the other side to join a wide concrete track which swerves to the left.
You catch sight of the Hollow Ponds on your right as the track deteriorates, going up a small incline. Now keep forward along a grassy track and after descending a bank.
Keep the Hollow Ponds on the right then, on reaching a white post, veer right to go across a cross-track and forward to pick up a narrow path between gorse.
On reaching the edge of a pond, turn left.
Follow the edge round to the right (ahead you should see houses lining Whipps Cross Road). When the main clump of gorse on your left ends turn left to head for the buildings of Snaresbrook Crown Court, regardless of paths.
Just before reaching the railings surrounding the court turn left on a path which follows their contour.
Keep to the path until you reach a cross track where you go right to reach the edge of Eagle Pond and walk up to the road.
If you came by train you go right here to return to the station whilst motorists will turn left to reach the car park.
