This time last week I was checking out of Lee Valley Campsite Sewardstone, an adorable little campsite with glamping options. This is my second year staying at the campsite in a Peaky Pod (more about last year’s trip here). At the end of my trip last year I discovered just how handy the campsite is to central London, so this year I took full advantage of that easy access in the evenings to see some West End shows. That was after some busy days cycling the area and visiting some Icons of Essex.
Getting to the campsite from Belfast is much easier than you’d imagine, a short flight from Belfast City airport to London City Airport, hop on the DLR to Stratford, switch to a bus just outside the station and head to Walthamstow and change bus from their direct to the campsite. Within 3 hours of taking off at the city airport I was on site by 10am ready to check in.
When Visit Essex invited me over, I asked if I could do everything by bike and public transport, a small gesture on my part to make the journey a bit more sustainable. I didn’t really want to be driving along the M25 again, like last year.
What surprised me was how easy and great the public transport option was, and how many cycle lanes there were to make my journeys feel safer.
The campsite keep a number of bikes on site for guests to hire, and you can also get a helmet and lock from the team to keep everything safer when you’re out and about. But don’t forget to fuel up with liquids and energy from the shop at the campsite reception.
I spent 3 days exploring Essex on bike, visiting iconic sites and doing one of my favourite things, escaping to the countryside, getting fresh air and pottering around forests; Epping Forest fitted that criteria perfectly.
Epping Forest
Visit Essex is on a mission this year to find out what people think its icons are, I immediately think of Epping Forest. And when better to visit than in the Autumn when leaves are falling and there’s a golden glow and that familiar autumnal smell in the air. Surrounded by trees that are over 1000 of years old, I cycled, explored and soaked up the atmosphere. Runners, cyclists, walkers, dogs and local wildlife were to be found in abundance enjoying the forest. For 10 miles I cycled around the forest trails, under the canopies of those 1000 year old trees, I imagined how much had changed in the world in those passing years, while the majestic forest matured slowly.
Stop at one of the food spots dotted around the forest and enjoy a break surrounded by forest. It’s hard to believe this is so close to London, it definitely has a New England vibe to it!
Off Road to London
I’m not a massive cyclist and much like driving, I don’t particularly like being on the road, so off-road is always a massive bonus. And being able to cycle from the campsite all the way into central London off-road is even better. Following the River Lee from the campsite you head north briefly before heading south all the way to Stratford. Depending on your speed, how often you stop for a rest or to take in the sights, the journey can be around 90 minutes each way, less if you’re super fit (I’m not at the minute). You end up at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where you can spend time visiting the rather large shopping centre or exploring the park and the Olympic legacy buildings.
Myddelton Gardens and Gunpowder Park
I mentioned these 2 locations in my last Essex post here, but I wanted to elaborate a little on Myddelton and how it resonated with me.
Many of us had a Covid career change for a while, and mine was working in a garden centre. The knowledge I gained during that time has stood me well, because on visiting Myddelton I was surprised how many plants I could name in these beautiful gardens. In NI our equivalent gardens would be Mount Stewart.
Head gardener Julia Bigham showed me around the gardens, pointing out the themes of each area created by E A Bowles (more here). Julia highlighted Bowles’ expertise in snowdrops and their famous annual snowdrop sale. A highlight for me was a little bed in the corner with a collection of various colours of Nerine. An Autumn flower I have come to associate with my mum, and every year when a pot of Nerines in my garden show off their pink blooms they remind me of my mum, I call them Noreen’s Nerines.
The gardens are inspiring with a collection of salvaged items mixed in with the planting, including a part of Old London Bridge and the Enfield Market Cross.
Gunpowder Park is just a few minutes cycle from the campsite. It’s an expansive parkland area with viewpoints overlooking the countryside and Lee Valley. There’s masses of space for picnics, long pathways for running, cycling and taking a long walk. The park connects onto the rest of the Lee Valley network and beyond to London.
Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone
An escape from the bustle of the city, this campsite sits in a rural setting right at the end of the bus route from Walthamstow, and Walthamstow Central is the last stop on the Victoria line underground. By bike it’s an off road 25 minutes from Myddelton House and Gardens, and less than a half hour cycle to Epping Forest and the historic Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge. And it’s an hour North of Stratford and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park along the River Lee Towpath.
The campsite has camping spots of course, but also space for touring and static caravans, and a range of Glamping pods, Camping Pods and a holiday home. I did price how much a second hand static caravan was, and for £75,000 it was almost tempting to move in and live there for the 11 months of the year it’s open. It is an option for some, and on the 12th month they go travelling.
There’s a small shop at reception for essentials, a spotless shower block for campers and a super team ready to help you with anything you need.
At the back of the site is a private gateway which takes you out into a network of lanes and cycle paths which give you easy access to Lee Valley and everything it offers.
Top tips for a trip to 2 Essex Icons, Epping Forest and Lee Valley
- Fly BA from Belfast City to London City.
- The TfL bus and underground network makes both places easily accessible
- A full day on the network, including in and out of London cost me £10 a day.
- Go sustainable and cycle as well as using public transport, there is an abundance of cycle lanes.
- Spend time exploring both Lee Valley and Epping Forest, there’s a lot to see and do.
- Nights out in London are a breeze, hop on that bus from the campsite and enjoy a great city. There are transport options until around midnight on the way back.
- Definitely try the towpath and cycle south into London. Or go north to Myddelton or Waltham Abbey or east to Epping Forest.
Go, Explore, Enjoy!
Jeff
Find out more about:
- Lee Valley Campsite Sewardstone here.
- Lee Valley here.
- Epping Forest here.
- Visit Essex here.
- Myddelton House here.
