EPPING FOREST. 



nearly opposite Ainbresbury 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. 



4| miles to the Abbey ; 5^ 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- 



