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Soapley's Wood

✦ Ancient woodland5 ha

📷 William Metcalfe · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome5 ha

Getting here

51.64492, 0.13036

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw +65 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw +65 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, Yarrow · last seen 2020

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — White-legged Damselfly, Green Shieldbug, 7-spot Ladybird +56 more · last seen 2025; Insects — White-legged Damselfly, Green Shieldbug, 7-spot Ladybird +56 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

9 signed routes nearby · 26 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Oak TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Essex Way (Epping to Stratford St Mary)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
London LOOP (Section 21)Walking route
Named routeRef LOOPPoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Epping Forest Big WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
London LOOP (Section 19)Walking route
Named routeRef LOOPRegional walking route
Church Lanepublic footpath · 11 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 11 mPath type: unclassified
New Farm Drivepublic footpath · 277 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 277 mPath type: unclassified
Church Lanepublic footpath · 71 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 71 mPath type: service
🚴

Cycling

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
LCN 61Cycling route
Named routePoint-to-pointLocal cycle route
Hainault GreenwayCycling route
Named route
LCN 57Cycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

2 public paths nearby

Public paths
Featherbed Lanebridleway · 467 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 467 mSurface dirtPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Bridleway to Soapley's Wood

📷 William Metcalfe · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bridleway to Soapley's Wood

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Chigwell MeadowsUrban park3.8 km→🦉HAINAULT FORESTNature reserve3.2 km→🦉CHIGWELL ROW WOODNature reserve3.4 km→🌱Jessel GreenUrban park3.5 km→✦HILL HALLHistoric site3.7 km→🌱Theydon GreenUrban park3.7 km→

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