Chalet Wood is famous for its display of bluebells (photo gallery), which can typically be seen for two or three weeks from early April (depending on seasonal conditions).
2019: Earliest sighting: March 19th (spring conditions arrived very early this year). Peak: probably the week after Easter (21st April). 2022: Peak around Easter (17th April).
Chalet Wood is a small part of Wanstead Park, which is turn managed as part of Epping Forest. The whole area is very popular with walkers (with and without dogs, which are excused leads) and with families. The Temple visitor centre is close to Chalet Wood, and nearby there is the Café in the Park (outdoor seating) overlooking Heronry Pond, open weekends all year, and also mid-week in the Summer months.
Bluebells are unusually delicate, and this wonderful spectacle could easily be lost if visitors don't play their part in the efforts that go into conserving them. Please don't step on them, or allow your dog to trample them! Please take your litter home!
Chalet Wood takes its name from a Victorian refreshment chalet of 1883, which stood at the end of the chestnut avenue leading from The Temple. Of wooden construction, it was destroyed by fire in 1950. (Photo FOWP)
Wanstead Park is one of the best sites in London for bird-life, including ducks, geese and swans - over 2,000 species have been recorded by the local conservation group the Wren Group.
Want to know more about Epping Forest, including a programme of guided walks? See Epping Forest Heritage Trust, and Friends of Wanstead Parklands. Like a pint? See also this map of Forest pubs.
Wanstead Park "is open 8am to dusk throughout the year" but in practice is always accessible. The main entrances are at Warren Road (Car park charges apply), Northumberland Avenue (3hr free parking; access is opposite Park Road or Wanstead Park Avenue) and at Blake Hall Road, next to the bus stop named "Blake Hall Crescent" for buses W19, 101 and 308. [Open Transport Map.] (All verified April 2022; updates welcomed).
Tip: Zoom the map below as needed.
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