Walks And Walking – Where to find Bluebells in Epping Forest

Walks And Walking – Where to find Bluebells in Epping Forest

Well, the Bluebells have finally arrived and I have received a few requests from the Walks And Walking Twitter account asking where to find Bluebells in Epping Forest.

There are three main areas that are well known for Bluebells in Epping Forest – Bluehouse Grove in Chingford, Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park and Strawberry Hill in Loughton. I also found a great spot to see them at Bury Wood in Chingford and, more recently in two locations on the Forest Way in Upshire.

Walks And Walking – Where to find Bluebells in Epping Forest

Bluehouse Grove in Chingford.

You can find the Bluebells at Bluehouse Grove in Chingford by heading up the B146 Friday Hill and turning in to Winslow Grove and straight across in to Bluehouse Road and then straight in to Epping Forest and Bluehouse Grove. If you are travelling by train or bus then head to Chingford train station, turn left and walk all the way up Station Road, turn left down Kings Road, walk right down Friday Hill, left down Winslow Grove as before.

Walks And Walking – Where to find Bluebells in Epping Forest – Bluehouse Grove

Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park.

You can find the Bluebells at Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park by heading to Warren Road and then walking within sight of the Temple to Warren Wood walking across to Northumberland Avenue at the other side of Wanstead Park. There are thousands to see and it widely regarded as one of the best colonies of Bluebells in Epping Forest. If you are travelling by train or bus then turn left out of Wanstead London Underground and walk down The Green continuing straight across St Marys Avenue, walking left down Overton Drive and then right down Warren Road and into Wanstead Park.

Bury Wood in Chingford.

I found these Bluebells by accident on a walk from Gilwell Park in Chingford. At Lippitts Hill turn right, passing The Owl pub on the left and walk right up some steps at the next footpath sign. Following the obvious pathway continue to a large metal gate, turn right and follow the tree line where you will find the Bluebells by using one of the smaller tracks on the right hand side in to the woods where the Bluebells are. If you are travelling by train or bus then head to Chingford train station and turn right up Rangers Road and then left up Bury Road turning right in to the forest just before Hornbeam Lane.

Strawberry Hill Ponds in Loughton.

You can find Bluebells at Strawberry Hill Ponds in Loughton by heading up to Loughton, and if travelling by train or bus then it is very easy to get to from Loughton London Underground station, and walk up Station Road passed Sainsburys. Walk straight across High Road to Ollard’s Grove bearing right up Connaught Avenue all the way in to Epping Forest and Strawberry Hill Ponds.

Forest Way in Upshire.

There are two locations at Upshire where I found blankets of Bluebells across the forest floor.  This is also a perfect spot to see the Epping Forest Fallow Deer who have been grazing on the lush green grass of Copped Hall Green for the last few months. At the Upshire Village signpost on Horseshoe Hill turn carefully in to Fernhall Lane and park in the lay-by.

Walk slowly down the lane keeping your eyes peeled either side of the lane for the Deer. Walk right down Long Lane and then keep left at the fork to keep on Long Lane which is part of the Forest Way. At the open gate on the right hand side the Forest Way takes you left around the outside of the fields. If you keep to the right hand side of the fence by the stables to Rookery Wood, which is where I found an unspoilt view of the Bluebells.

Walks And Walking – Where to find Bluebells in Epping Forest – Forest Way Upshire – Rookery Wood

If you then continue down the right hand side of the fields all the way to the bottom right hand corner of Spratt’s Hedgerow Wood there is an old wooden gate on the right hand side. Keeping to the left hand side of the fields walk up the wide grassy path to the next gate to Little Rookery Wood. Walk left in to the wood before the gate and look up to see a sea of vibrant blue Bluebells.

Walks And Walking – Where to find Bluebells in Epping Forest – Forest Way Upshire – Little Rookery Wood