EPPING FOREST. 



and formed the approach to it. In the plan of 

 Wanstead, as it was in 1745, they are well shown, 

 extending as far as Snaresbrook pond. 



Crossing the Avenues in an easterly direction 

 to the road from ^Vanstead to Forest Gate, the 

 entrance to the western arm of Wanstead Park 

 is reached. [The same point may be reached 

 by those driving or walking from Stratford by 

 turning to the right out of the High Road, either 

 along Cann Hall Lane or at Harj-oni Green, or 

 by Davis's Lane. From Snaresbrook the park is 

 reached by the new entrance road out of Red 

 Bridge Lane, near Wanstead Old Church.] (For 

 a history of the park, see p. 54.) Following the 

 footpath through the Reservoir wood, the Shoulder 

 of Alutton pond, the LLcronry pond, and the Perch 

 pond are passed in succession on the right, and the 

 refreshment chalet on the left. Two hundred yards 

 beyond the latter the footpath enters the beautiful 

 woods which surround the Great Lake, and con- 

 ducts to the old boat-house and the so-called 

 grotto^ above it, of which more need not be said 

 than that it is a specimen of the style of landscape- 

 gardening in fashion in the last century. The 

 domed chamber is encrusted with shells and a 

 mixed collection of stalactites, crystals, and look- 

 ing-glasses. The best part of it is the view from 

 the window. A glance at an old map shows that 

 the river Roding formerly flowed through this 

 lake, which was then at a lower level. At a sub- 

 sequent date a course which now bounds the Park 

 on that side was cut for it, to enable the level 

 of the lake to be raised — an operation which 

 had the effect of widening the channels and 

 ^ Burnt down, November 1884. 



