Wanstead Flats History Walks No. 1: The Bushwood Side

Although the Bushwood section of Wanstead Flats is now characterised by playing fields and woodland, it once formed a small but significant section of Wanstead House, the huge stately home and gardens that dominated this part of east London from the 16th to early 19th century. The most obvious reminder of those former glories is the lime tree avenue that stretches from the top of Blake Hall Road across to Ferndale Road at the far end of the Flats. This section of the Flats also contains some of the oldest trees in the borough - a number of ancient chestnut trees dating back to the late 17th century.
It was also home to a colourful 19th century poet and, during the 2nd
World War, was the site for a number of air raid shelters as well as
large-scale allotments.

Published by Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society