Rockets to Woodland

Distance: 3 miles
Terrain: surfaced pathways including a small section of grass path and walk-around gate
Starting point: Gunpowder Park car park, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 3GP
A circular valley route discovering the explosive history of Sewardstone Marsh’s wet woodland. The route travels west, following the perimeter of Gunpowder Park down to Sewardstone Marsh, looping around the woodland area before heading north back through the centre of Gunpowder Park.
Directions
Enter Gunpowder Park via the entrance to the right of the Field Station and proceed along the surfaced path, passing the fuse mounds on the left
Continue along the path, passing the entrance way on your right and continue towards the Flood Relief Channel
Follow the path to the left, passing an entrance and Black Ditch West Bridge on your right, and continue
At the triangular section of grass, bear to the right and continue over a wooden fenced bridge
Bear left at the next junction, passing the entrance leading to Westway Bridge on your right, and continue south past a bat hibernacula on your left alongside the Flood Relief Channel
Continue along the path, past the West Pool and past the entrance leading to Cattlegate Bridge on the right and through the walk-around gate onto Sewardstone Marsh
Continue along the path to the south end of the Park at the signpost turn left, towards Epping Forest
At the second junction, turn left onto the grass path heading north
Bear to the left at the picnic area, returning towards the Cattlegate Bridge entrance, through the wooded area
Turn right, onto the surfaced pathway, returning into Gunpowder Park
At the information board, bear to the right and continue along the pathway, passing two junctions
At the third junction, turn right and follow the path up and over the hill back towards the Field Station. (The Meridian viewpoint is a short detour from the route. Turn left at the top of the hill and follow the pathway)
Toilets
Gunpowder Park Field Station
Things to note
Public transport links to the starting point are limited
Car parking charges apply at Gunpowder Park car park
The site is outside the Ultra Low Emissions Zonebut is very close to it