26 EPPING FOREST
Immediately after passing the Workhouse School
on the left, cross the railway, and enter the Leyton
Flats—a level open space, much broken by old
gravel pits, and covered with patches of gorse and
broom. It is almost free from trees, and the few
that are left have been seriously stunted and
injured by the reckless gravel-digging of former
years. Passing to the left of a small clump of
trees, follow a broad green roadway which leads
due north, and, leaving the Infant Orphan Asylum
on the right, cross the Eagle Road at right angles.
Leaving the Forest School on the left, Gilbert's
Slade, a wide grassy glade, flanked by thickets of
hornbeam and holly, and rather swampy in winter,
conducts to the Woodford Road and Woodford
Green. To reach Woodford Station, turn to the
right, opposite the Castle Hotel. To continue the
walk to Buckhurst Hill Station, follow the length
of the Green, keeping to its eastern side, where
a shady walk under chestnut trees is preferable
to the High Road. From the north-eastern corner
of the Green Monkham's Lane leads in 500 yards
to an isolated block of forest known as Lord's
Bushes, conspicuous for its picturesque oaks
and beeches, and dense undergrowth of hollies.
A well-defined track crosses this from the end of
Monkham's Lane to Buckhurst Hill Station, at its
north-east corner, but an hour may be well spent
in exploring its beautiful glades. Another track
from the same point crosses it diagonally in a
northerly direction to the top of Buckhurst Hill.
ROUTE C
WOOD STREET STATION TO CHINGFORD
51/2 miles
On leaving the station turn immediately to the
left by Upper Walthamstow Road and follow the
lane which leads up the hill to the eastwards and