Epping Forest Stroll – Searching For Dick Turpin

Every single time I travel on the Central Line… the red route on the tube map I say to myself I must take a trip to Epping… the last stop and go for a ramble around Epping Forest. After three years of living in London, last Saturday I finally made it to Epping Forest.

Epping Forest is famous for a once upon time, way back in the 1700′s as being a place where highwayman Dick Turpin had a hideout and committed some of his dastardly robberies, and in more recent times gangland murders!

On a slightly chilly day, after a hearty fry up I was energized and ready to explore some of Epping Forest’s 6500 acres of ancient forests, open spaces, ponds and lakes. In the distance I heard what I thought were the hoofs of a galloping horse… could it have been the ghost of Dick Turpin riding in search of his next victim… then the blare of the police siren in the distance very quickly brought me back to reality!

Epping Forest is truly a vast place that offers a real escape from the grind of daily London life… especially when you get far enough away form the roads not to be disturbed by sirens! Since it was my first visit I just wandered around aimlessly seeing where my nose led me. I was in no rush to explore everything…. I like to take my time to  stop and  smell the roses as they say!

Once again I heard the faint sound of horses hoofs in the distance… and once again it was a false alarm, it was only a Staffordshire Bull Terrier ice skating on Connaught Waters.

Epping Forest Stroll In Pictures…

 

Did you know… The right to collect wood still exists but is rarely practised and is limited to “one faggot of dead or driftwood” (bundle of wood) per day per adult resident.

For three hours I enjoyed the wondrous natural delights of Epping Forest… I will be back in the Summer months for another adventure at the “People’s Forest”. I can’t believe it took me three years to visit this amazing place…

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