6.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Big-sky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.1Yardley Hill and Yates’ Meadow sit north of Pole Hill, beyond Hawk Wood, on high ground with views across the London skyline. Longhorn cattle graze the meadow at certain times of year.
A rare meeting of open, high-ground meadow and woodland on London’s edge, with the capital’s skyline as its backdrop. Its appeal is the contrast between a forest walk and a far-reaching city view, rather than a major destination with extensive facilities.
Big-sky · Wild
Find your way
Open mapAntlers Hill, Chingford, London E4 7RY
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
A short, hill-country outing within Epping Forest: explore the rolling woodland and open meadow on foot, then pause for the city views. The supplied sources do not establish a specific Yardley Hill circuit, so check a current map before setting off.
Things to do
Walk through Hawk Wood
Explore the rolling woodland on foot. The City of London Corporation also lists cycling and horse riding in the area, subject to exclusions.
Take in the London skyline
Pause on the high ground of Yardley Hill and Yates’ Meadow for views across the treetops towards the city.
Visit the Pole Hill obelisk
See the obelisk on nearby Pole Hill, erected on the Greenwich Meridian Line in 1824.
Watch for grazing longhorn cattle
The City of London Corporation says Yardley Hill and Yates’ Meadow are grazed by longhorn cattle in May and August–October. Keep your distance and dogs on leads around them.
Picnic or fly a kite
The official site suggests picnicking against the capital’s backdrop and flying a kite on the high ground.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow 1–2 hours; exact duration depends on your chosen approach.
The hill and skyline
- 01
Start from an approach confirmed on a current Epping Forest map; the supplied sources do not verify an entrance point for Yardley Hill.
- 02
Walk through Hawk Wood towards Yardley Hill and Yates’ Meadow.
- 03
Pause on the open ground for views across the treetops towards London.
- 04
If cattle are present, keep your distance and dogs on leads.
Half day · Half day; route length and total time depend on the chosen approach.
Woodland, meadow and Pole Hill
- 01
Plan a walk linking Hawk Wood, Yardley Hill, Yates’ Meadow and Pole Hill using a current Epping Forest map.
- 02
Take time on the high ground for the skyline views and a picnic, if conditions and current rules allow.
- 03
At Pole Hill, see the obelisk erected on the Greenwich Meridian Line in 1824.
- 04
Check current access and parking details before setting out; keep dogs on leads around grazing cattle.
Verified history
The City of London Corporation states that Pole Hill was once home to T.E. Lawrence, later known as Lawrence of Arabia. Its obelisk was erected on the Greenwich Meridian Line in 1824. These are nearby Pole Hill details, not claims about Yardley Hill itself.
Hidden details
Longhorn grazing is seasonal — The official site says longhorn cattle graze Yardley Hill and Yates’ Meadow in May and August–October. They are livestock, not pets: give them space and keep dogs on leads around them.
The obelisk marks the Greenwich Meridian Line — The obelisk on nearby Pole Hill was erected on the Greenwich Meridian Line in 1824.
When to go
May · August · September · October · Choose a clear day for the skyline views; no specific time of day is verified.
The official source identifies May and August–October as periods when longhorn cattle graze Yardley Hill and Yates’ Meadow. Clear conditions should help with city views, but exact seasonal visibility is not established by the sources.
Check the forecast before visiting; the exposed high ground may be less comfortable in poor weather. This is general planning advice, not a verified site-specific condition.
Worth pairing with
Pole Hill and its obelisk
Pair the hill walk with Pole Hill, whose obelisk was erected on the Greenwich Meridian Line in 1824. Use a current map to plan the connection.
What to look for
Look north of Pole Hill for the open ground of Yates’ Meadow and Yardley Hill, with views over the treetops towards the city. In the wider area, visit Pole Hill’s obelisk on the Greenwich Meridian Line.
The story
Landscape and local history; nearby Pole Hill was once home to T.E. Lawrence, and its obelisk was erected on the Greenwich Meridian Line in 1824.
Best time to go
May and August–October bring seasonal longhorn grazing at Yardley Hill and Yates’ Meadow; check conditions and keep dogs on leads around cattle. For the skyline, choose a clear day.
A clear day offers the best chance of seeing the London skyline. Longhorn cattle are reported grazing in May and August–October; give them space and keep dogs on leads nearby.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Dogs · Families
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
Part of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest landscape. The official listing describes walking, cycling and horse riding in the area. Check current access information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
The official site lists Bury Road car park, postcode E4 7AZ. Check the City of London Corporation’s parking information for current opening and closing times.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
The official site advises keeping dogs on leads around grazing cattle. Check current signage and local guidance for other restrictions.
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Accessibility
Check before visiting; surface, gradients and accessible facilities are not confirmed by the supplied sources.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Yardley Hill
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
