Highams Park

I have grown up in the area of Highams Park (E4) and probably spent a good 20 years there, so I have to say it is quite sad that the area’s only contribution to outer London nature is this place. First of all, as far as parks go it is fairly uninspiring. There isn’t really anything here to get excited about unless you are enthusiastic about grass, and even then I’m sure a connoisseur would not to be too blown away. Secondly, the children’s play area is a sorry sight and wouldn’t look out of place in a depressing third rate horror film about a paedophile who likes to make salt from his own testicles. Then you have the lake and woodland, which is ugly and full of aggressive dog-​shaped rats and geese with enormous attitude problems. I am a huge fan of animals and wildlife in general, but these particular birds should be left alone to feed on their own carcasses until their beaks expire. I just feel sorry for the magpies who, amongst all the chaos and depravity of their environment, manage to uphold a certain level of grace and dignity which is otherwise lacking elsewhere. Best left avoided.

I have lived in Highams Park for the last ten years and known this area for the last 40 so write with a bias which comes from growing up in this neck of the woods. The entrance to the park is in Woodford Green but the park itself is in London E4. If you find yourself searching for a peaceful meander there can be not better place than to take a stroll over Highams Park. There are few facilities (a small childrens play area) just the remains of the grounds of an old manor house including the lake which is and excellent place to take the kids to feed the ducks and climb the trees. The house has long gone but the forest at Highams Park contains a boating lake formed by Humphry Repton after damming the River Ching. During WWII the grounds were converted to prefab housing and still upon close examination the remains of paths and roads can be seen. The park and lake sit on the endge of some woods which are a pleasure to stroll through. Situated around the lake are some stones said to have been salvaged from the stones left over from the dismantaling of the original London Bridge. Anybody looking to find a peaceful part of our great capital city should pack up some bread for the swans, geese and ducks and head to Highams Park.