32 EPPING FOREST
never known the axe. In the drier parts of the
Forest beeches to a great extent take the place of
oaks. These " spear " trees will make fine timber
for future generations,' having received timely
attention by being relieved of the competing
growth of the unpicturesque hornbeam pollards.
Consequent on these removals this thicket is be-
coming very dense in some parts, and owing to
the confused maze of narrow cattle-tracks, it is
not always easy to keep the true direction.
The walks to High Beach may be varied to
any extent, but I will endeavour to indicate four
routes which are tolerably well defined. It will
assist the pedestrian to obtain a clear idea of
the direction to follow if he will first visit Queen
Elizabeth's Lodge, from the upper room of which
he will obtain a good bird's-eye view of the district
to be traversed. Let him take note of the spire
of High Beach Church, which is the best land-
mark, though, from the inside of the thicket, it is
only occasionally visible.
ROUTE E
31/4 miles
Cross the Forest by the Bury Path, which
passes Mr. Earee's Retreat for the entertainment
of children, visible from Chingford Station, and is
continuous with the Sewardstone Green Road;
follow the latter towards Sewardstone Green. About
ten minutes' walk from the Woodman, where the.
road leaves the Forest, a very pretty lane on the
left leads to Yardley Hill—a recent gift to the
Forest by one of the Verderers.* This hill, which
projects into the valley of the Lea, commands a
beautiful view of many miles of its course. From
this point, by crossing the valley to Hawk Wood, a
return to Chingford is readily made; or retracing
steps to Sewardstone Green road follow it to
Sewardstone Green, from the north-east corner of
which a green lane leads by Mott Street to High
Beach; or, better still, immediately after leaving