Between Woodford Green and Buckhurst Hill, Essex
Knighton Wood
Broadleaf woodland
Place photograph
5.9
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.9A former Buxton Estate landscape where veteran trees, surviving garden features and an easy-access trail sit within Epping Forest.
Knighton Wood is more than a pleasant patch of trees: it preserves parts of a formal estate landscape, has around 300 veteran trees across Knighton Wood and Lord’s Bushes, and offers a short, level trail around the lake. Its mix of managed paths and older woodland gives a worthwhile local escape, though the available evidence supports a modest rather than destination-scale visit.
Peaceful · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapBetween Woodford Green and Buckhurst Hill, Essex
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Allow around an hour or two for a walk through the former estate landscape. The official easy-access trail loops around the lake and between the plants and trees of the old formal garden; interpretation is available at its start. Look for the veteran trees and, if extending your walk, seek out the ancient Pulpit Oak.
Things to do
Follow the easy-access lake trail
Walk the 0.65 km (0.4 mile) trail around the lake and through plants and trees of the former Buxton Estate formal garden. The official description notes a firm, level, non-slip surface, benches, wheelchair passing places and some inclines.
About 30–60 minutes
Explore the Rowan Trail
The City of London describes a circular Rowan Trail through Knighton Wood and Lord’s Bushes, suitable for walking or cycling. Check its trail map for the current route details.
Find the ancient Pulpit Oak
The City of London identifies the ancient Pulpit Oak as a feature to visit and says it marks the boundary between Epping Forest and Redbridge.
Watch for birds, dragonflies and amphibians
The City of London suggests visiting with binoculars for birdwatching and looking for dragonflies and amphibians.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow around 30–60 minutes; the trail is 0.65 km (0.4 miles).
Quick Escape: the easy-access lake trail
- 01
Use Knighton Wood car park as the approach described by the City of London.
- 02
Follow the easy-access trail around the lake and through the plants and trees of the old formal garden.
- 03
Pause at the benches and read the interpretation at the start of the trail.
- 04
Choose the shorter level circuit if its inclines are unsuitable.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: woods, lake and veteran trees
- 01
Begin with the easy-access trail around the lake and former formal garden.
- 02
Continue into Knighton Wood and Lord’s Bushes on the Rowan Trail, on foot or by bike.
- 03
Look out for veteran trees and visit the ancient Pulpit Oak.
- 04
Finish with refreshments in nearby Buckhurst Hill; local facilities should be checked before setting out.
Verified history
The City of London says much of Knighton Wood and Lord’s Bushes is a relic of the formal gardens of the Buxton Estate. Its official visitor page points to a separate story map for further detail on the site’s biodiversity, landscaping and history. The supplied sources do not establish a fuller dated history, so further historical claims are not included here.
Hidden details
The veteran trees — The City of London says visitors can see some 300 veteran trees across Knighton Wood and Lord’s Bushes. Take time to notice differences in form and age rather than treating the walk as simply a route through trees.
The ancient Pulpit Oak — Look for the Pulpit Oak, identified by the City of London as an ancient tree marking the boundary between Epping Forest and Redbridge.
The former formal garden — The easy-access trail passes among plants and trees of the old formal garden, a surviving trace of the Buxton Estate landscape.
When to go
· No specific time of day is established by the supplied source.
The official source describes trees, garden planting and wildlife but does not identify seasonal highlights or peak months.
No site-specific weather or path-condition guidance is provided in the supplied source. Check conditions before travelling.
The route
- surface
- Easy-access trail: firm, level and non-slip.
- distance
- The easy-access trail is 0.65 km (0.4 miles); Rowan Trail distance is not specified in the supplied excerpt.
- difficulty
- Easy-access trail described as firm and level, with some inclines; a shorter level circuit is available.
- route shape
- Easy-access trail around the lake; the Rowan Trail is described as circular.
- start point
- The easy-access trail is most easily accessed from Knighton Wood car park via a firm, level path.
- parking start
- The City of London lists car parks; consult its current visitor information for locations and details.
- shorter alternative
- A shorter, level circuit of the easy-access path is available.
- Lake
- Plants and trees of the former formal garden
- Veteran trees
- Ancient Pulpit Oak
Worth pairing with
Buckhurst Hill
The City of London identifies Buckhurst Hill as a nearby place to find refreshments before or after a visit; specific venues are not verified here.
What to look for
Look for the veteran trees, the plants and trees of the former formal garden, the lake, and the ancient Pulpit Oak marking the boundary between Epping Forest and Redbridge.
The story
Former Buxton Estate formal gardens and surviving landscape features
Best time to go
Spring for the garden plants and fresh woodland growth; the official source does not specify a particular peak season.
Spring is a reasonable time to enjoy fresh growth and garden planting, but the supplied official source does not identify a peak season or time of day.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Families · Dogs · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The City of London describes Knighton Wood and Lord’s Bushes as Forest land and provides visitor trails. Check current access and route information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Car parks are listed by the City of London; check its current visitor information for locations and details.
Check before visiting
Toilets
The City of London says there are no nearby toilet facilities.
Food & drink
The City of London says there are no nearby refreshment facilities; it suggests Buckhurst Hill for refreshments before or after a visit.
Dogs
The City of London lists dog walking as an activity. Check current signage and rules before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
A 0.65 km (0.4 mile) easy-access trail has a firm, level, non-slip surface, benches and wheelchair passing places. It includes some inclines, with a shorter level circuit available. The trail is most easily accessed from Knighton Wood car park by a firm, level path.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Knighton Wood
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
