ITS TOPOGRAPHY 27
enters the Forest near St. Peter's Church, 40a
yards from the station. This point may also be
reached from Leytonstone by crossing the Leyton
Flats as in Route B, but keeping somewhat more
to the left, and crossing the Eagle Road at Forest
Rise. From here follow the wide grass glade to
the north as far as the Allotments. These, together
with the land belonging to the East London Water
Works, constitute a barrier across the route which
necessitates a detour to the right as far as the
high road. I have endeavoured, hitherto without
effect, to persuade those who are responsible for
these enclosures to allow the public right-of-way
to be restored.
Regaining the line by Hagger Lanc, from the
corner of the Forest opposite the gate of the Allot-
ments, a ride commences which may be identified
by the distinguishing letter of this route marked
on a pollard tree which stands by the opening to
it. This leads over picturesque broken ground,
and through a dense growth of holly and decidu-
ous trees, in about f mile, to Hale End Road.
[From this point a pretty path along the eastern
side of Higham Park leads to Woodford Green.]
Crossing the road, enter the Sale, the green lane
which skirts Higham Park, and thence Higham
Park itself. It may here not be out of place to
recount the steps by which this charming addition
of 30 acres, comprising the lake of about 14 acres,
and the best timbered part of the Park, was added
to the Forest. A member of the Epping Forest
Committee had for a considerable period sought
to add this link which would connect the Waltham-
stow Forest with that portion which is called the
Lops, and which was only attached to it by the
above-named green lane. At length Mr. Cour-
tenay Warner consented to part with it, for public
purposes only, for the sum of £6000. A sum
of £1500 was soon subscribed voluntarily.
It now became of the greatest consequence to
secure the adhesion and substantial contributions
of the Local Boards representing the two parishes
most interested. Those bodies took an en-