Epping Forest Centenary Walk
Follow the Epping Forest Centenary Walk fom Manor Park to Epping on this pleasant 15 mile walk. It's an accessible route with train stations at either end.
You start near Manor Park train station, just east of Ilford. The route then heads north west through the lovely Wanstead Flats and then on through Leyton Flats to Higham's Park. You then pass Connaught Water and Great Monk Wood in Epping Forest before finishing at Epping.
It's a lovely peaceful walk, with lakes, ponds, small hill climbs and attractive woodland throughout. The route is also known as the Epping Forest Big Walk.
Epping Forest Centenary Walk Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map
Epping Forest Centenary Walk Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map
Epping Forest Centenary Walk OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Epping Forest Centenary Walk Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
On the route you'll pass the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach. At the centre you'll find a wealth of useful information including maps, a forest exhibition and a gift shop. There's also a nice cafe here where you can stop for refreshments before continuing your walk. You can find it at the Kings Oak Cafe, High Beech with a postcode of IG10 4AE for your sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Near Chingford look out for Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge. This Grade II listed former hunting lodge, is now a museum, on the edge of Epping Forest. It was built in 1543 for King Henry VIII and now provides an insight into the Tudor history of the forest. It's well worth exploring with the additonal bonus of some lovely views over the forest from the top floor of the building. You can find it next to the Chingford Visitor centre at a postcode of E4 7QH.
The circular Theydon Bois Oak Trail can be picked up on the eastern side of the forest at Theydon Bois underground station. The challenging trail visits Ambresbury Banks Iron Age Fort and a Deer Sanctuary near the village.
The rhododendron, oak and ash woodland of Knighton Wood can be found in the Buckhurst Hill area of the forest. The River Roding Walk can also be picked up in this area.
The Three Forests Way runs through the forest. This long distance trail will take you to Hatfield Forest and Hainault Forest.
The circular walk from Loughton explores the area from the nearby town's London Underground station. It's an attractive place worthy of exploration with dozens of historic listed buildings and three conservation areas. The route also visits the Roding Valley Meadows nature reserve on the River Roding.
The Green Link Walk links with the route on its western fringes at Upper Walthamstow.