CIRCULAR WALK- STARK CONTRASTS OF FAIRLOP WATERS COUNTRY PARK.

FAIRLOP WATERS COUNTRY PARK - LAKE, MEADOWS, WOODLAND TRAILS, followed by socialising with cheap food and drinks in a convivial pub atmosphere.

Within this very much leisure focussed country park in East London, we take a circular walk along its tidy paths which exhibit the stark contrasts of the manicured lawns of the golf course against the dramatic boulder park and the wild backdrop of the country park and lakes, all of which are contained within a large area which was once famed for its magnificent Great Fairlop Oak. Clink on this link to read more.

Enjoy London! Get out and see your City in the company of great friends!

WALK START POINT: Fairlop Station (Central Line - Zone 4). Fairlop station is on the Hainault branch of the Central line.

WALK DISTANCE: Approx 4 miles.

WALK END POINT: Fairlop Station (Central Line - Zone 4)

NO EASY STOP OUT POINTS.

No large dogs or small children please.

Please arrive in good time to allow opportunity to use toilets at the start of the walk as there may not be many toilet breaks available during the walk. There should be toilets on the station platform and also at Fairlop Waters Clubhouse near the beginning and end of the walk.

Fairlop Waters Country Park covers an area of 120 hectares (300 acres) and has a wide diversity of habitats including lakes and ponds, woodland and grasslands. It also has the UK's largest man made boulder park.

History: The whole Fairlop area was originally part of the historic Hainault Forest. In the 1750's an open air fair was established around the mighty Fairlop Oak tree and each season over 100,000 people would attend the Fair from all over London. The mighty Fairlop Oak tree was rather abused and by 1805 became hollow at ground level where several horses or cattle could shelter. People would often picnic inside the tree and light fires. One such fire caught the tree alight and it burnt for more than 24 hours. The gales in February 1820 finally brought "Fairlop" crashing down.

Much more recently the area served as an RAF airfield in both world wars and then became gravel pits before being returned to nature.

After the walk we shall visit the nearby New Fairlop Oak Pub which takes its name from the replacement oak tree planted on the green at Fullwell Cross in 1951 to celebrate the Festival of Britain.

RISKS for all walks: Please dress appropriately for weather conditions and carry a bottle of water and necessary medication. You need to be moderately fit for this walk and be able to walk for four miles without a break. In these walks we use; pavements, cross busy roads, public parkland, towpaths alongside water, other public paths, rights of way, bridlepaths, country lanes and other established paths and tracks through woodland, bush and countryside. Please only wear good sturdy shoes, preferably walking boots and take care as surfaces may be uneven, tree roots may protrude, there may be low overhanging branches and some paths are also used by joggers and cyclists and sometimes cars (country lanes). Some tracks may be muddy and slippery. On occasion wild,domestic and farm animals may also encountered. If you require insurance for these walks then you must arrange this yourself.

WANT TO COME ON ANOTHER WALK?
For a list of future walks go to[ https://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/](https://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/)

DISCAIMER
All Ken's Events are subject to a disclaimer. Please click here
https://www.meetup.com/kens-events-explore-london-secrets/
to find out more about Kens Events/Walks and click on 'read more' to see full disclaimer.

Please post no pre-event messages unless you are posting something relevant for the whole group and only post photos of other members with their consent.

Kens Events also has a Facebook Page, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events
Instagram Page
Kenswalks
Twitter
@KenEvents
Kens Events also has a Facebook Group that you can join.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/Kensevents

If weekday and evening walks are your thing, then you should join Ken's Weekday and Evenings Walking Group. Click here for more information. [(https://www.meetup.com/KENS-WEEKDAY-EVENING-WALKS/)](https://www.meetup.com/KENS-WEEKDAY-EVENING-WALKS/)

When you arrive at the station look for Ken with Kens Events Flag or Badge outside the station.

RAIN POLICY: Our walks normally go ahead as planned even if it rains. Light rain is not usually a problem . However if torrentail rain is forecast, please check this webpage on the morning of the event for the latest update.

COST: Members and guests who do not hold the Ken's Events card will be asked to pay £5 for this walk.