30 EPPING FOREST.
and formed the approach to it. In the plan of
Wanstead, as it was in 1745, they are well shown,
extending as far as Snaresbrook pond.
Crossing the Avenues in an easterly direction
to the road from Wanstead to Forest Gate, the
entrance to the western arm of Wanstead Park
is reached. [The same point may be reached
by those driving or walking from Stratford by
turning to the right out of the High Road, either
along Cann Hall Lane or at Harrow Green, or
by Davis's Lane. From Snaresbrook the park is
reached by the new entrance road out of Red
Bridge Lane, near Wanstead Old Church.] (For
a history of the park, see p. 54.) Following the
footpath through the Reservoir wood, the Shoulder
of Mutton pond, the Heronry pond, and the Perch
pond are passed in succession on the right, and the
refreshment chalet on the left. Two hundred yards
beyond the latter the footpath enters the beautiful
woods which surround the Great Lake, and con-
ducts to the old boat-house and the so-called
grotto1 above it, of which more need not be said
than that it is a specimen of the style of landscape-
gardening in fashion in the last century. The
domed chamber is encrusted with shells and a
mixed collection of stalactites, crystals, and look-
ing-glasses. The best part of it is the view from
the window. A glance at an old map shows that
the river Roding formerly flowed through this
lake, which was then at a lower level. At a sub-
sequent date a course which now bounds the Park
on that side was cut for it, to enable the level
of the lake to be raised—an operation which
had the effect of widening the channels and
1 Burnt down, November 1884.