LoMAZ Extra: Epping Forest Walk and Queen's Hunting Lodge

Join us on a walk visiting Epping Forest including a stop at the Queen's Hunting Lodge

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." - Henry David Thoreau

Queen's Hunting Lodge
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge is a striking three-storey timber-framed building on the edge of Epping Forest, originally built in 1543 for Henry VIII as a vantage point for royal deer hunts.

Today, the lodge is open to the public as a museum, offering glimpses of Tudor life and hunting traditions. Inside, visitors can see historic rooms with leaded windows overlooking the forest, interpretive displays on Tudor banquets and woodland management, and exhibits about the lodge’s royal past. It is free to enter.

Walk the Epping Forest Hike
Epping Forest stretches along a ridge between the River Roding and the River Lee, running northeast from Manor Park in East London to north of Epping in Essex. Covering 12 miles and around 6,000 acres, it is London’s largest open space, with over two-thirds designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its ancient history and rich wildlife.

We'll begin outside of Chingford station before heading to the Queen's Hunting Lodge. After an hour there we will begin the walk through Epping Forest. This easy 3.75-mile circular walk starts and ends at Chingford Station, taking about three hours to complete. The route follows a mix of forest tracks, grassy paths, tarmac lanes, and surfaced footpaths, with no major hills. Some sections can become muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is advised.

Walk Details

TRANSPORT: You can get the Overground (Weaver line) train to Chingford Station. You can aim to get the 11.03am train from Liverpool Street which will arrive at Chingford station at 11.30am.

Bus – The nearest bus station is Chingford (450 metres) which is served by local buses from northeast London and Essex.

Underground – The nearest London Underground stations are Buckhurst Hill (2 ½ miles) and Loughton (2 ½ miles) on the Central Line from where you can catch a local bus to Chingford.

Timings below are subject to change

MEETING POINT: 11:30am at Chingford Station

QUEEN'S HUNTING LODGE: 12:00 - We'll visit the Queen's Hunting Lodge, entry is free although it will close for an a hour at 1pm.

LUNCH: For guarantee you can bring a pack lunch for the walk. Otherwise we may stop at Butler's Retreat right next to the Hunting Lodge. Coffees, cakes, hot and cold lunches are served here

WALK FINISHES: Approx 16:30 at Chingford

PUB SOCIAL: We'll head to a nearby pub in Chingford for a social chit chat over drinks. Location TBC

Latecomers will have to either catch up at the Lodge or meet in Chingford.

EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP:
If you are on the 'going' list only please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. Please let a host know if your Whatsapp name is different from your Meetup name, otherwise we'll assume you're a spammer!

Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group.*

GROUP RULES, PLEASE NOTE:
LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. We limit event numbers as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group.

• If you can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible.
• Members on the 'going list' who do not change their RSVP to 'no' and do not show up 3 times in a row will be removed from the group.
• If you're on the waitlist, you will automatically be moved to the 'going' list if space becomes available. Please do not attend if you aren't on the 'going list'.
• If you RSVP as 'Going' but then change your RSVP to 'No' five (5) times in a row, then you will be removed from the group.

Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ.

Image credit: Robin Webster CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons