Imagine you’re standing on the uplands of Essex. This is High Beach.
High Beach offers a unique vantage point. It stands about 110 metres above sea level. From here you can see the western fringes of Epping Forest.
The name High Beach may come from the area’s sand and gravel. These deposits line many forest paths. They are remnants of Bagshot Sands.
High Beach sits within Epping Forest. This forest spans the border of Greater London and Essex. It stretches from Epping to Chingford. Some call it the Cockney Paradise. Epping Forest is the largest forest in London.
The forest has ancient woodland. It also has grassland and heath. Streams, bogs and ponds dot the landscape. The gravelly soil made it less suitable for agriculture.
Centuries ago, the forest was managed as a common. Landowners had rights to timber. Commoners could graze livestock. Only the monarch could hunt deer.
In the late 19th century, the forest faced enclosure. Public outcry led the City of London Corporation to save it. This was a major win for the environmental movement.
The City of London still owns the forest. They act as conservators. They discontinued pollarding and grazing. Modern conservators are aware of these past mistakes.
The Epping Forest Centenary Walk passes through High Beach. It is a 15-mile route. It marks the 100th anniversary of the Epping Forest Act of 1878.
High Beach has a church called Holy Innocents. Thomas Charles Baring built it in 1873. It replaced an older church that had fallen apart. Arthur Blomfield designed the new church. Its tower contains 13 bells.
Several notable people resided in High Beach. Poet John Clare was admitted to a private asylum here. He suffered from a mental disorder. He stayed for four years before escaping. Alfred Lord Tennyson also lived here. He may have met Clare at the asylum.
In 1928, Britain’s first motorcycle speedway meeting was held near High Beach. It took place behind the Kings Oak pub.
Today, High Beach offers many activities. These include horse riding and mountain biking. Orienteering and running events also occur.
There are a few pubs here. The Kings Oak and The Owl are popular.
Legend has it that Hangman’s Hill near Holy Innocents Church is haunted. Cars parked in neutral may roll uphill. People say a ghostly hangman’s noose pulls them.
High Beach is more than just a location. It is a place of history and natural beauty. It’s a place where you can enjoy the forest. It is a place where you can connect with the past.