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Waltham Abbey, including gatehouse and Stoney Bridge

7 ha

📷 Peter S · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsPicnicHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome7 ha

Getting here

51.68910, -0.00244

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦78+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Pochard and Shoveler
  • 🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· FreePicnic spotToilets

Best for

11 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Pochard, Shoveler, Magpie +75 more · last seen 2026; Lowland fens — specialist fen birds and passage waders

Free

Picnic day out

picnic area, toilets, car park

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access; Grade II* listed building: MIDNIGHT CHAPEL

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Pochard, Shoveler, Magpie +75 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Graphosoma italicum, 7-spot Ladybird, Rambur's Pied Shieldbug +67 more · last seen 2026; Lowland fens — fen dragonflies and rare invertebrates

Free

Family friendly

toilets, picnic area

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

16 signed routes nearby · 11 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Three Forests WayWalking route96 km
Named routeLength 96 kmRound tripRegional walking route
Epping Forest Big WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
LOOP link to Enfield Lock stationWalking route
Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Beech TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Lea Valley WalkWalking route

Transport for London's Section 1 of the Lea Valley Walk within London

Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route
South Placepublic footpath · 39 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 39 mPath type: footway
🚴

Cycling

116 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 7Cycling route
Named routeRef EV2International cycle route
Route CCycling route
Named routeRef CRegional cycle route
Route (1)Cycling route

National Cycle Network link route

Named routeRef (1)Local cycle route
Route CCycling route
Named routeRef CRegional cycle route
Forty Hall Park GreenwayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Cycleway 1Cycling route
Named routeRef C1Regional cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

“Ancestor” at Waltham Abbey Gardens

📷 Peter S · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

“Ancestor” at Waltham Abbey Gardens

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Abbey GardensUrban park100 m→🌱Grundy ParkUrban park2.4 km→🌱Abbey MeadowsUrban park0 m→🌱Abbey GardensUrban park100 m→🌱Rose GardenUrban park100 m→🌱Waltham Abbey Orchard and wildflower gardenUrban park200 m→