Leyton Flats — Attraction in London

We were very pleasantly surprised at how lovely this parkland and lake area was. We took a relaxing and very scenic walk around the boating lake (about 30 min with a pushchair) that took us to little coves/shores of the lake where people were having picnics and enjoying the views of the lake. A few families were out on the lake in rowing boats that can be hired from the boat house (£15 per hr + £10 deposit) - it looked like a lot of fun!

The lake's shores were full of swans, ducks, Canadian geese, moorhens, coots and pigeons (I've never seen so many swans in one place!). You can feed the birds here, but bread is discouraged - a sign said that birdseed, frozen peas, sweetcorn and lettuce are good healthy alternatives for the birds, so we will try that next time! The lake is surrounded by ancient trees and we saw many beautiful huge oak trees with resident squirrels, which was lovely. The walk round the lake is very pleasant and on a sunny Saturday morning we passed many dog walkers and young families enjoying the woodland, so it felt safe.

There is a huge area of grassland (the Leyton Flats) which surrounds the lake, with again many dog walkers and people taking exercise. We were pleased to see lots of wild grasses and even some wildflowers growing in abundance, with many ancient trees punctuating the skyline. As others have mentioned, you cannot see any high rise buildings from the flats - just a huge stretch of green fields - it doesn't feel like you're in London! Great spot for a picnic.

The boathouse has its own small pay & display carpark and is on the main Snaresbrook Road. It also has a little cafe next door selling hot dogs, ice creams, food and hot & cold drinks. There is also another bigger carpark on the Snaresbrook road, with pay & display (Ringo) which we used and which is right on the flats. At 10am on a Saturday there were plenty of spaces. Next to this carpark there is also a roadside cafe that a few people were sitting in - it looked a bit lost next to the road but popular nonetheless.

We will definitely come here again - our toddler loved it and it felt very safe...

Comprising a large swathe of former cattle-grazing acid grassland, some scrubland, the the odd shaped artificial Hollow Pond, Eagle Pond (reservoir), some scattered thickets and woodland. Obvious signs here of compaction, trampling and erosion. The inevitable litter strewn by dimwits. Perhaps the summer drought impact still lingers here in a fragile realm seemingly tilting to the limit. And all the dogs. Managed by the City of London...

North of the park, council have cut back way too much of the forest. There were enough open spaces already! Feels apocalyptic walking around. Small mammals have little cover left. What a waste of taxpayers money. Epping forest is for everyone to enjoy. Diesel guzzling machines clearing the bush to almost nothing while the council boasts ULEZ charges. Complete numpties! I actually felt bereaved when I saw...