40
EPPING FOREST
of several acres, surrounded by an unsightly six-
foot iron fence, which is intended to serve the
purpose of a " field pound," but is rarely or never
used, the track strikes across the thicket to the
north-east, and steers for the group of tall fir-trees
in Copped Hall, a landmark which is occasionally
visible. Crossing the road which leads to Copped
Hall Lodge, the track conducts into the Epping
road nearly opposite Ambresbury Banks, an ancient
British Camp described in the following chapter.
Its position is indicated by the group of lofty
beech and oak trees which have established them-
selves 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
41/4 miles 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" 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-
ley Plain—a grassy hollow which leads down into