If you're looking for a countryside escape from London over the bank holiday, without having to fork out on a weekend away, a stroll around these ancient woodlands might be just what you're after. At just over 400 acres, this huge expanse of forest on the Essex/London border lies just one hour away from Central London, with parts of the country park sitting within the London borough of Redbridge. Once a royal hunting ground, the public can now explore these ancient woodlands and all the wildlife within them.
This walk around Hainault Forest is just three miles long, taking about an-hour-and-15-minutes to complete for most people. It is generally considered an 'easy' route, and is a popular trail for birding, hiking and running. The route begins and ends at a 'lovely spacious pub', passing a golf course and through beautiful forest, according to All Trails.
READ MORE: Seaside London commuter town dubbed 'new Hackney' as young people flock there from city On the way, walkers will pass by a lake, a zoo and beautiful hedgerows. To see the full route, you can visit the All Trails website. All Trails also warns that the walk can be a little muddy.
While it should be 'relatively flat', there are a couple of 'gentle slopes', with dogs also welcome in the country park. Walkers begin at the Two Brewers Pub, making their way up to Camelot Crossroads. From there you will make your way through the part of the forest managed by Redbridge Council as a country park, eventually arriving at Fo.