On Monday the 20th April 2020, we are still on the Covid-19 lockdown, so a local walk was needed. A 15 minute drive to Theydon Bois, I look about Popular Row no good here (Permit holders Mon to Fri 10am to 4pm). Theydon Bois Tube station want £6 a day, so I find a bay with free parking for two hours. I park up hoping I can make the 6 mile walk in 2 hours.
GPS File here.
Viewranger File here.
I set off crossing the Central Line by footbridge and along a path the other side.
The origin of the village place name comes from the family of Bois (de Bosco), which held the manor in the 12th and 13th centuries. The village name is usually pronounced to rhyme with "boyce" or "boys".
The second part of the village name has been 'Boys', with various spellings, as far back as can be traced. When the Great Eastern Railway built its branch to Ongar, it asked the clerk of the Epping Parish Council, a Mr John Windas, how it should be spelt. As he had some knowledge of French and in view of the village's proximity to the forest, he suggested the best spelling would be 'Bois'.
I made my way across meadows and crossing streams in glorious sunshine with a nice breeze.
I can hear the rumbling of the M11 and it appears in sight, I'll soon be walking beneath.
 |
| Church in Theydon Garnon, that'll I be visiting soon. |
I walk through a cold tunnel beneath the M11.
In stark contrast to the cold dark tunnel, on the other-side is a footpath in bright sunshine and trees in blossom.
Along the path I cross the fields in front of Garnish Hall.
Garnish Hall is a 17th Century house with a 18th Century red brick facing.
T.N. Abdy, Esq., is lord of the manor of Theydon Garnon, or Garnish Hall, now a farm house; and Mrs. Houblon is owner of Coopersale estate, on the north side of the parish, near Epping, and resides at Coopersale House, a large and elegant mansion, which stands on elevated ground, surrounded by lawns and ornamental plantations, and was long the seat of the Archer family, which originated from Simon de Bois, who was at the battle of Agincourt, and was so skilful in archery, that the King ordered his name to be changed to Archer.
Mrs. and Richard Archer Houblon are the present representatives of this ancient family. Sir P.B.H. Soame, Bart., has an occasional residence here; and the Hon. A.F. Capel resides at Thoydon House; and J.C. Whiteman, at The Grove.
I am now in Theydon Garnon, surprising enough as I live so close I have never visited.
THOYDON-GARNON, or THEYDON GERNON, is a pleasant straggling village, from 1 to 2 miles South South East of Epping, but its parish extends close to that town, and has several handsome seats and scattered farm houses, near Steward's Green, Coopersale, and the north-eastern borders of Epping Forest.
The parish had 1072 inhabitants in 1841, including 140 in Epping Union Workhouse. It contains 3160 acres of land, and has a fertile soil, richly cultivated, and embellished with ornamental plantations, contrasting beautifully with the old woods of the forest.
It was held by Ulmar, in the the reign of Edward the Confessoor, and by Eudo Dapifer, at the Domesday Survey. It was afterwards held by the Theydon, Gernon, Fitzwilliam, and other families. William C. Marsh. Esq., (high sheriff of Essex, in 1847,) is lord of the manors and estates, called Gayns Park and Hamnales, and has a handsome seat, called PARK HALL encompassed by fine woodland scenery.
The path now takes me through All Saints Church in Theydon Garnon.
The oldest parts of All Saints Church, Theydon Garnon, date back over 700 years. Throughout the whole of this time the building has been used as a place of worship as it still is today.
It is almost certain that Queen Elizabeth would have visited All Saints’ Church, Theydon Garnon because it is a fact that she stayed at Garnish Hall (Then Gernons Hall) during one of her Royal Progress’ in 1572. As she was head of the Church of England it seems unlikely she would have been so close to the Church and not visited. The estate passed to the Hampden family in the early 16th century; then to the Branche family later in the same century; then to Robert Dun, to his son Daniel Dun; to be sold to Sir Robert Abdy in about 1660.
The Tudor tower, added about 1520. It is of three stages with an embattle parapet, and is of red brick with some blue bricks interspersed. Notice on the outside South Wall the stone panel, protected but now practically illegible which bears the arms of the grocers company and of “Syr John Crosbe” (of Crosby Hall fame) Alderman and Grocer of London and note that he and his wives Ann and Annes gave £50 towards its building. A portion of the inscription has been cut out and this was probably done in puritan times. Note also on the south East buttress a starched aisle, and above it a larger sun dial – reminders that we have not always had clocks to tell the time for services. On the outside of the west wall picked out in dark brick on a panel on the outside has the letters i. h. representing John Houblon who built the North Aisle. Continue around the tower to the far side of the Church when the North Aisle and Porch were built they were also done in red brick, it is interesting to compare with the earlier brick of the tower. The date, 1644, is picked out in a corresponding panel on the outside of the Eastern Gable End
As I suspected the church door was locked so I was unable to have a look about inside.
I continue along the path away from the Church.
I exit out onto Coopersale Lane and walk a short way before taking the path on the bend of the road.
I now follow another tree lined path.
A lovely and unusual seat by the path.
I exit the path out onto the farm track of Hydes Farm.
Hydes farmhouse is a 16th Century Grade II listed building.
I cross Epping Lane and straight over onto the footpath that takes me through Hill Farm.
 |
| Looking back to Hill Farm |
I follow the path down to a bridge where I cross The River Roding.
The River Roding is a river that rises at Molehill Green near Dunmow in Essex. It then flows south through Essex and London and forms Barking Creek as it reaches the River Thames.
I follow the path through farm fields before exiting out onto Ongar Road.
I follow the road into Abridge.
Abridge takes its name from the brick bridge over the River Roding, which is situated just to the north of the modern centre, on the road to Theydon Bois.
Listed buildings include the Blue Boar Inn (early 19th century), the group of medieval buildings that form the Roding Restaurant, the 18th-century house immediately northeast of the restaurant, Roding House (late medieval), River Cottage in Ongar Road, and the Maltsters Arms (18th century).
To the east of the village is Stapleford Aerodrome formerly RAF Stapleford Tawney of 11 Group east sector.
I cross the bridge over the River Roding again and take the path across a field.
Now according to the map, the path goes diagonally across and not around the field edge as everyone seems to have done. So I walk across diagonally on the recently ploughed field.
I am walking alongside the Roding again on Bloody Mead.
Having walked across farmland of a dairy farm I walk out onto Epping Lane again and take another path almost opposite.
I am now conscious of my two hour time for the parking and try to up my pace a little.
I exit out onto Abridge Road and walk beneath the M11 again.
Just the other side of the bridge I take a path on my left and into Theydon Bois Wood.
This new woodland was planted between 2006 and 2009 on land that was once part of Epping Forest. It’s already becoming a haven for wildlife. Wander through the young oak, ash, field maple and hornbeam and look out for sparrow, wren and the brightly coloured goldfinch with its red face and flash of yellow on its wing. You may even catch sight of the occasional muntjac deer.
In spring and summer, the wildflower meadow by the small stream becomes a tapestry of colour, with the yellow blaze of cowslip and buttercup sprinkled with pink campion, wild red clover and deep violet self-heal. It’s a great place to spot butterflies as they feast on the nectar. Autumn is your turn for a feast as you can forage for blackberries, rosehips and elderberries as you watch the leaves begin to turn.
 |
| View of Londons Skyline in the distance. |
Visible from the M25 as you pass climb north past Theydon Bois, is this impressive earthwork sculpture and its woodland location, created by the Green Arc and Woodland Trusts. At 130 metres long and three metres tall, it’s quite a landmark! Artists were invited from across the UK to submit design ideas for the site. The winning artist was Richard Harris, who produced the final design that we recreated on the site.
Richard’s artwork was inspired by tree seeds and has been constructed entirely from soil from the site itself, shaped into concentric seed-shaped mounds. You can even walk along the top of the three metre high mounds, which will eventually be planted with bushes and shrubs on the sloping sides.
 |
| View to Thrifts Hall Farm |
I leave the fields behind and again cross the Central Line.
After walking along some roads I walk out onto Popular Row and past the pond.
Famous residents
David Sullivan, millionaire publisher of Sport Newspapers former co-owner of Birmingham City Football Club and current co-owner of West Ham United Football Club, lives in Birch Hall, off Coppice Row.
Ray Cooney, English playwright and actor.
The village has two pubs, the Bull and the Queen Victoria. A third, Theydons (previously The Railway Arms), closed in October 2011 and has been converted into flats.
The Bull, Theydon Bois' oldest Public House. Dating back to the 17th Century The Bull was orignally a private residence called 'The Tile House'. The building was later extended and became an inn known as 'The Bull's Head' before settling on the name we know today.
Today the pub retains much of it's original charm with exposed oak beams and polished wood floors in the bar area.
Now this is a surprise ! I can get the famous Brick Lane salt beef bagels without having to drag myself into Shoreditch!
I am back at the car, about 11 minutes over the two hours! I see a traffic warden, but obviously my two hours start from when she first saw my car so all was good. A great 6 miler!
