48
EPPING FOREST.
nearly opposite Ambresbury Banks, an ancient
British Camp described in the following chapter.
Its position is indicated by the group of lofty beech-
trees which have established themselves on the
banks. Immediately to the left of the camp a
beautiful glade, arched by fine beeches, leads
diagonally from the high-road into the broad
"green ride" which is parallel to it, and which
may be followed to Epping. This walk may be
recommended in wet weather, as it leads over
high ground and gravelly soil.
ROUTE O.
THEYDON TO WALTHAM BY DEBDEN GREEN.
41/4miles to the Abbey ; 51/4 miles to the Station.
On leaving the station, turn to the left along
the avenue which crosses Theydon Green. Thence
the road leads to Debden Green in about a mile.
A few yards before reaching the latter, at a gate on
the right, a notice board indicates that there is a
right of way across the field to the Forest. From
the point where the latter is entered a broad glade,
overgrown with brake fern, ascends the hill. Look-
ing back to the south over Loughton, there is a fine
view of the Thames Valley to Kent. At the top
of the hill there is a wide plateau, with scattered
pollard oaks growing on it, but in summer covered
with a dense growth of brake fern. Cross this in
a westerly direction to the old roadway known as
"The Ditches" and which bounds the plateau on
the west. On the farther side of this roadway look
for a gap in the thicket. This is the top of Cop-