This is one of the walks in the book 'Exploring the Elizabeth Line' by Jeff Lock and is a circular walk along the Roding Valley and around Wanstead Park and Wanstead Flats. Around 5 miles and apart from an unfortunate one mile stretch of roads totally in the countryside.
The walk starts at Manor Park station on the Elizabeth line where I arrived just before 11am. Out of the station, across the road, and straight into Manor Park, part of Epping Forest by a large sign.
A narrow path skirts the edge of the park, emerging eventually opposite one of the entrances to the City of London Cemetery though there is no public access here.
The path skirts around two sides of the huge cemetery with occasional glimpses inside.
Eventually the route leaves the cemetery and is a very pleasant woodland path and in due course reaches the River Roding itself.
The river is soon left though and our route goes through more woodland towards Wanstead Park. Along here I am passed by a large group of horse riders from the nearby stables.
A few horses grazing in the field and then more woodland.
The first of several lakes is reached, Perch Pond, which the guide describes as 'small' which as you can see is far from it.
Across the lake is the Tea Hut where I stopped for a pleasant cuppa and short relax in the picnic area by Heronry Pond.
Along Heronry Pond and another walk through woodland.
The lovely woodland just keeps coming.
The Grotto, a grade 2 listed building which was partially destroyed by fire in 1884 and is in the process of restoration.
Dell Bridge is crossed and the woods soon left. There now follows a stretch of road walking until Alexander Lake on Wandstead Flats comes into view.
There is plenty of wildlife on Alexander Lake and some seemingly very tame ducks which came right up to me.
The path goes right round the lake to the more dune like flats area the other side. Here the Golden Fleece comes into view and I diverted there for lunch before heading back to the station and home.