Walthamstow Forest
126ac/51ha SSSI (part), SMI
Grid ref: TQ 391 910 (click for o/s map)
Updated 19/12/2010
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Walthamstow Forest has been through difficult times – cut in two by the rerouting of the North Circular Road, seriously damaged by fire in 1976 and suffering from a forest pest, gypsy moth – but despite this it still has much to offer. Most of it is wood pasture of oak and hornbeam pollards with a grassy sward beneath in many parts, plus a scattering of ponds and one or two areas of fine open grassland. Like Gilbert's Slade to the south it has patches of common cow-wheat and tormentil.
Visiting
North of the junction between the A406 North Circular and A104 Woodford New Road, stretching to Chingford Hatch in the north. No parking areas in the Forest.
Highams Park station is a short walk away. Buses from Walthamstow to Loughton via Woodford Green run along Woodford New Road.
Accessible at all times.
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