Wanstead

Wanstead is a terrific place for a quiet walk, which is particularly remarkable given its proximity to the North Circular Road and the fact that it is on the Central Line. 

Coming out of Wanstead tube you come across the unremarkable green space of Wanstead Green.

 

Only feature of note is this Victorian monument in one corner

But a little later on one comes across St Mary's Church where once Elizabeth I used to worship, although the church has since been rebuilt in Grecian style.

It also has an extensive graveyard, which was being mown just as I arrived. Nothing like the sound of strimmers to evoke an atmosphere....

Now the main feature here should be the mansion to the Wanstead Estate. The estate was once owned by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester who entertained Queen Elizabeth I here. The house was later bought by the Child family (England's first private bankers) who replaced the old manor house with what was supposed to be one of the finest houses in England. But the whole estate was eventually inherited by a woman who managed to marry an inveterate gambler who went through the entire fortune. The house, contents and estate had to be sold off and as no one wanted the whole house, it was demolished and materials sold, leaving just the grounds to us. And the stable block and coach house - seen here.

So the estate is now Wanstead Park - the board here shows the modern park and compares it to the 18th century grounds with its water features.

Inside one can just follow the lakes (and River Roding)

The Grotto survives too - well it was sort of built as a picturesque ruin, so has stayed that way, but was also burnt down in the 19th century so rather more ruined than intended.

There is a heronry pond so one would expect to find herons....

The Temple is the other 18th century structure to survive, attractively sited at the end of an avenue of sweet chestnut trees....

Actually I prefer its less showy rear!

Back to the grotto, now from its rear. Originally it would have been covered in shells and stalgamites, but the ruin was subject of a fire in the 19th century.