15 Miles but only 3 Pubs
And one of those was a Harvester and doesn't count.
Who would have thought London at the edge of Epping Forest and Enfield would be so dry?
Today's walk was meant to start at Roding Mill Tube Station but that's too much of a pain to get to. Some odd loop on the Central Line. It makes more sense to add half a mile to the route and hell, you never know what you are going to find.
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| A rather normal suburban house for a former Prime Minister. Clement Attlee was here |
Not long till the South Western edge of Epping Forest at Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge. Mainly notable for the mud that has not stopped some sort of under 10s cross country run. Junior Mud Runners. There is no doubt I was wearing the wrong footwear.
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| A rare mud free section of Epping Forest |
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| Pole Hill Obelisk and Trig Point |
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| Reservoirs in view |
The twin reservoirs of William Girling and King George are dissected by a road. The urban streets of Enfield instantly forgettable. Simply nothing of interest.
The Albion kick off at 12:30 with a herculean task of facing the mighty Leeds. I hope to find a pub with wi-fi and power. Instead, I find a bench in the grounds of Forty Hall Farm. Already a goal down by the time I have logged on.
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| Forty Hall Farm - London's only vineyard |
Move on but prayers are answered for the second half. The Rose and Crown, Clay Hill.
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| Extend, Extend, Extend |
It's got history. A pub is believed to have existed on this spot since 1572 and brace yourself, there is a Dick Turpin reference. Of course there is, although this sounds genuine. Owned by Dick's Grandfather.
Today, its atmospheric with low beamed ceilings and plenty of ancient wooded support beams to navigate. It might be "gastro" but I shall be forever grateful for the Chesterfield sofa and Timothy Taylor. Especially as the Baggies pulled it back for a credible and unexpected draw.
Onwards - 5 miles to go to Hadley Wood Station - sharing the route with the London Loop. I barely remember this section, despite it offering fine countryside walking.
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| Re-wilding on the London Loop |
Nothing to tempt you to stop at Hadley Wood - unless you are a fan of huge gated properties. Tap in and hot foot it back to the City.
Where, as always, a cancelled Avanti train awaits. At least Delay Replay is getting more efficient. The refund was back in my account in less than 24 hours.
Walk Information
Distance - 15 Miles
Start - Woodford Tube Station
Finish -Hadley Wood Station
Areas Walked - Epping Forest, Chingford, Enfield
Geocaches - 4
Pubs - 1
Previous Walks - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10, Stage 11, Stage 12, Stage 13, Stage 14, Stage 15, Stage 16, Stage 17
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