Leyton Flats
185ac/75ha SSSI (part)
Grid ref: TQ 395 885
Updated 31/12/2023.
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Most of Leyton Flats is open grassland, kept open by grazing by commoners' cattle. It has two large ponds: Hollow Pond, used for boating, and Eagle Pond, one of the oldest in the Forest, which is deep in places and has a large concentration of mute swans.
The open grassland has large patches of gorse and broom, which are well used by birds for nesting, and is also the London stronghold for creeping willow.
The northern section has mature oak woodland and an interesting marshy area of shallow pools and willow scrub.
Visiting
East of the Whipps Cross roundabout (A104/A114), running alongside Woodford New Road up to the A406 North Circular Road to the north. SatNav: E11 1PQ.
Snaresbrook tube station is a short walk from Eagle Pond. Buses from Romford to Walthamstow via Ilford run past Hollow Pond.
Accessible at all times.
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