Abridge Road, Theydon Bois, Loughton, Essex IG10
Theydon Bois Wood
Broadleaf woodland
Source image
5.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.5A 38-hectare woodland where young mixed broadleaves and wildflower meadows meet a striking spiral earthwork. Look for butterflies and dragonflies in summer, and follow the paths around the 130-metre-long, three-metre-high landmark.
This is a young woodland rather than an ancient forest, but its mix of broadleaves, grassland, wildlife and a distinctive spiralling earthwork gives a local walk a real sense of discovery. It also offers a surfaced path and links to public rights of way.
Peaceful · Discovery feeling
Find your way
Open mapAbridge Road, Theydon Bois, Loughton, Essex IG10
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The experience
Explore the Woodland Trust’s paths, take in the large spiral earthwork and look for wildlife around the stream and grassland. A longer Oak Trail from Theydon Bois station is a separate, sourced walk through Epping Forest that includes nearby historic and wildlife highlights.
Things to do
Explore the spiral earthwork
Follow the woodland paths around the large spiral earthwork, described by the Woodland Trust as 130 metres long and three metres tall.
Allow time within a 1–2-hour visit
Look for butterflies and dragonflies
In summer, watch the wildflower meadows for butterflies and pause by the stream to look for dragonflies and damselflies.
Follow the Oak Trail from the station
For a longer outing in the wider Epping Forest landscape, the sourced Oak Trail from Theydon Bois station is a 6.8-mile loop. Its listed highlights include Amesbury Banks and deer near a sanctuary fence.
2.5–3 hours
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
The spiral earthwork and woodland paths
- 01
Enter from Abridge Road and explore the woodland paths.
- 02
Follow the paths around the spiral earthwork, a landmark described as 130 metres long and three metres tall.
- 03
Pause by the stream and meadow edges to look for dragonflies, damselflies and wildflowers.
Half day · About 2.5–3 hours
A longer forest walk from Theydon Bois
- 01
Start at Theydon Bois Underground station for the Oak Trail route through Epping Forest.
- 02
Look out for Amesbury Banks, described by the route source as a Roman site, and deer near the deer sanctuary fence.
- 03
Allow extra time for muddy sections after rain; the route source notes some road walking and traffic noise.
Verified history
The Woodland Trust describes this as a new woodland of mixed broadleaves, intended to form a link between nearby ancient and mature woodlands. A separate walking account identifies the spiral earthwork as a land sculpture by Richard Harris, commissioned by the Woodland Trust and completed in 2013; it describes paths spiralling into the hillside. The sculpture detail is supported by that account, not by the supplied Woodland Trust page excerpt.
Hidden details
The spiral landform — The Woodland Trust describes a giant earthwork 130 metres long and three metres tall. A walking account identifies it as a spiral land sculpture completed in 2013.
Wildlife signs around the stream and trees — Look for bat boxes, listen for birds and watch the stream for dragonflies and damselflies in summer. The Woodland Trust also notes muntjac deer as a possible sighting.
When to go
June · July · August · September · October · A calm summer visit gives the best chance to watch insect activity around the stream and meadows; no specific time of day is established by the sources.
The Woodland Trust highlights summer wildflower meadows, butterflies and dragonflies, and autumn berries and leaf colour.
Paths may be muddy in winter or after rain. Wear suitable footwear and check current path conditions.
Worth pairing with
Theydon Bois village
The woodland is close to the village; the Woodland Trust notes cafés and pubs there, though customer toilet access and opening should be checked directly.
Oak Trail from Theydon Bois
A longer Epping Forest loop from Theydon Bois station, with Amesbury Banks and deer-viewing opportunities described by the route source.
What to look for
- 01
The 130-metre-long, three-metre-high spiral earthwork
- 02
wildflowers in the meadows
- 03
butterflies and dragonflies in summer
- 04
bat boxes
- 05
and, with luck, a muntjac deer.
The story
None verified for this woodland listing.
Best time to go
Summer for the wildflower meadows, butterflies and dragonflies; autumn for turning leaves and seasonal berries.
Choose a summer visit for wildflowers, butterflies and dragonflies, or autumn to see the leaves turn and look for blackberries, rosehips and elderberries. Paths may be muddy after rain.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The Woodland Trust lists public access and a network of paths, including two linked public rights of way and a surfaced path. The entrance is on Abridge Road. Check current conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
No car park on site. The Woodland Trust lists paid parking at Theydon Bois Underground station; check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
No woodland toilets are listed. The Woodland Trust notes toilets for customers at some village cafés and pubs, and a public toilet at Epping Underground station.
Food & drink
No food service is listed at the wood. Cafés and pubs are available in Theydon Bois; check opening and access before relying on them.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check current dog guidance with the Woodland Trust before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
A surfaced path is available, alongside other paths and public rights of way. The source does not confirm step-free access across the whole site; check conditions and suitability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
Stream
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Theydon Bois Wood
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Source image8.1Epping Forest
Loughton, Essex
3.5 km away
