Beyond the fences and roads, Gilbert’s Slade awaits. It is a picturesque wooded area. It features an open glade and a pretty stream. Many hornbeam pollards are here too. These date back hundreds of years.
Gilbert’s Slade proper is a stretch of open grassland. It sits within a mainly wooded part of Epping Forest. The name Gilbert’s Slade, encompasses a survey area. This includes nearby forest land. The whole area lies between Snaresbrook Road in the south. It extends to the Waterworks Corner roundabout. The area also goes to the North Circular Road in the north. Fences separate the forest from housing to the east. These also separate the forest from playing fields. Gilbert’s Slade is separated from Rising Sun Woods. Woodford New Road divides them.
Rising Sun Woods gets its name from a public house. The pub lies near St. Peter’s Church. The boundaries to the west include Forest Rise. Fences separate the land from allotments and buildings. Becontree Avenue also forms a boundary. Several buildings lie within these boundaries. These are mainly in the south. The church, the public house west of Woodford New Road, and Forest School are among them. Dwelling houses are present too.
The total area covers about 75 hectares. It is predominantly woodland. There are pieces of grassland and ponds. You can also find wet areas. This woodland gives Gilbert’s Slade and Rising Sun Woods a unique feel. It differs from Wanstead Flats and Leyton Flats. It also stands apart from the landscaped Wanstead Park. The southern end of the area is on the Boyn Hill terrace. This is like the adjacent Leyton Flats. It is about 30 m above sea level. The rest is mainly London Clay. The land rises to approximately 55 m in the north. Streams and ditches run through the area. They generally flow from north to south. Some may be empty, except during heavy rainfall. Temporary watercourses form during these periods. This is especially true in the southern part of Gilbert’s Slade. Ponds and wet hollows dot the whole area. Bulrush Pond is the largest of these. Marshy spots are also scattered throughout.
Gilbert’s Slade experiences less disturbance than other parts of southern Epping Forest. Yet, it still feels the effects of being close to east London. The most popular spots include Bulrush Pond. The open region of Gilbert’s Slade is also well-loved. Pedestrians and equestrians use it. Main tracks run through it. Woodford New Road and Forest Road divide the area into sections. These roads do not relate to ecological boundaries.
Two hundred and thirty-four species of vascular plants were recorded here. This was during 1981 and 1982. Practical work has been done in later years. The Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers helped. They worked to stop bramble and other vegetation from spreading. This increased plants like common cow-wheat. It also boosted various sedges.
You can explore Gilbert’s Slade on foot. Biking and dog walking are also options. You might bring a picnic. Enjoy lunch under the trees. Fishing at Bulrush Pond is possible. Check the fishing page for details and seasons.
As you leave Gilbert’s Slade, remember the hornbeams. They stand as silent witnesses. They have seen centuries pass. The diverse plant life thrives here. It paints a vivid picture of nature’s resilience.