June 7: The Centenary Trail

The Epping Forest Centenary Trail was my first walk of this year's campaign. It was an experiment to see whether I could still walk after years of lethargy in front of computers.

The Centenary Trail was created in 1977. It links all the surviving sections of Epping Forest, and commemorates the centenary of 1877 Act of Parliament that protected the forest from private developers and preserved it for public enjoyment.

The Trail begins in Manor Park and leads through the Wanstead Flats, past Leytonstone and Walthamstow and through Highams Park before entering Epping Forest. Only the last four miles are genuine forest, but they made the whole walk worthwhile. The Iron Age hillforts at Loughton and Ambresbury Banks are very impressive.

I ended the walk with a stroll around the charming town of Epping. After 18 miles (including the 16 miles of the Trail), my feet were already suffering, but it felt wonderful to be walking again.