Great London History Walk around Wanstead Park (4K)

Great London History Walk around Wanstead Park - a stroll through one of the most storied locations in London.
Support my channel on Patreon / johnrogers
Wanstead Park, in the London Borough of Redbridge and controlled by the Corporation of London, has a history that stretches back to the Mesolithic period. Flint artefacts have been found in the park as well as a Bronze Age arrowhead and numerous Roman antiquities.
The Park is famous for being the landscaped grounds of Richard Child, Earl Tylney's enormous mansion, Wanstead House. When the house was built in 1715 it was said to be one of the finest 'palaces' in all of Europe. Sir Josiah Child had purchased Wanstead House in 1673 and passed it on to his son, Richard, who became Earl Tylney. It was when the house and park was inherited by Catherine Tylney Long who married William Pole Wellesley in 1812 that the story enters into the folklore of East London and Essex.
But the manor of Wanstead goes back much further in time. A favourite hunting lodge of Henry VII, it was frequently visited by Elizabeth I when owned by Richard Dudley, Earl of Leicester and later the Earl of Essex. James I was also very fond of Wanstead Hall.
Wanstead Park was saved for the people of London by the Corporation of London as part of Epping Forest, and is a real treasure of East London. The bluebells in Chalet Wood are a major attraction, and the extensive ponds are home to an array of birds - most notably Herons.
*The drone footage used in this video was shot by a fully insured operator with CAA permissions and was captured in accordance with regulations and local bylaws.
Credits:
Shot edited and presented by John Rogers
Drone footage by highflyingdroneshots.co.uk / highflyingdrone
Thanks to: Wanstead Golf Club, Sam and Mike, and Geoff Burrage
Castlemaine XXX image from Wikimedia Commons CC licence
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
Open Street Map “© OpenStreetMap contributors” using data available under the Open Database Licence
Music:
The Two Seasons - Dan Boden
Argonne - Zachariah Hickman
In The Throes - Asher Fulero
Allégro - Emmit Fenn
Moonrise - Reed Mathis
Eureka - Huma-Huma
Little Drunk, Quiet Floats - Puddle of Infinity
No.7 Alone With My Thoughts - Esther Abrami
Nevada City - Huma-Huma
Pachabelly - Huma-Huma
_________________________________________________________________________________
Please subscribe for regular videos: bit.ly/1EJjIB8
My shop: teespring.com/stores/the-lost...
My Book: This Other London amzn.to/2zbFmTd
Audiobook & Kindle: amzn.to/2xLGb8s
Blog: The Lost Byway: thelostbyway.com/
Patreon / johnrogers
Twitter: / fugueur
Instagram / thelostbyway
Make a donation to help support the channel paypal.me/JohnRogersLondon - many thanks!
Shot in 4K on a Panasonic GX80 (affiliate link) amzn.to/2QUrtXo
My Walking kit (amazon affiliate link - I earn a small commission on purchases)
amzn.to/2Xky2UA

[@annecarson341]

I can confirm 100% that Robert Mitchum did film a sequence from the Big Sleep. I have photos’s. I had the privilege to meet him with my mum as we lived in the Keeper’s Lodge in Wanstead Park. Have loved watching this video. Thank you

[@PVAPPE]

That’s my next 54 minutes accounted for! 😀

[@julieblackstock8650]

and me. I was just starting to worry John had to stay home due to the snow

[@lloydevans1552]

@@julieblackstock8650 I would willingly come and clear a path had that been the case⛏🧹

[@toboldygo5823]

Chinese drivers are not disrespectful. For some reason they just slow on the uptake🥴 🤷🏻‍♂️❤️✨👍🏻. Chinese drivers are very good decent people though😎🙏🏻✨👍🏻

[@PVAPPE]

@@toboldygo5823 : Wrong channel for your comment!

[@HIGHFLYINGDRONESHOTS]

Hats off to John for putting this together, chuffed we was asked to capture some aerial footage for this video, the subject matter was perfect as this is such a beautiful part of East London. Hope to collaboratate more in the future John. Well done mate 👍👍

[@oliverlysaght]

Great shots there - nice to see from these angles

[@alfredfrome9455]

It's hard to imagine that Wanstead Park with all those ponds was part of the estaate it was absolutely huge. BTW that white tower block was indeed used by the Metropolitan Police, back in the 80's when Hendon Training College was at full capacity recruits spent their last few weeks of traing thhere. Thanks for the interesting video.

[@seanwilkinson876]

I have just read an interesting book about Wanstead Park, 'The Angel and the Cad' by Geraldine Roberts, which goes into great detail about the marriage between Catherine Tylney Long and William Wellesley Pole. Apparently, William used the Grotto as an assignation for his many lovers. This book is definitely worth reading and really gave me a sense of the period and Wanstead House.

[@robj8201]

I’ve played in and walked this magical place many, many times. I was with you every step of the way. Yet another great show John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Rob

[@bully130london]

Me too mate,I grew up grew up in Alderbrook

[@lofty92]

Absolutely fantastic narration,spent my whole youth over this park in the 1970s with my gang,what a magical area this is,always felt there was a lot more to it when i was i kid,we played in the grotto on a daily basis back then,also had baked potatoes in foil we took with us,and put them in the hugh fires left when the tree surgeons were doing the works in the seventies,stayed til the early hours,was around 11/12 years old then,the lakes froze nearly every winter,skaters and us were all over the place,fantastic memory's thanks for sharing,the drone footage added another dimension.thank you sir.....superb :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for sharing those great memories

[@bw_digitalphotography]

i love some of the aerial views in this video! places look magnificent from the air aswell as from the ground

[@Signals927]

Having lived in Wanstead in the 1950's your video brought back lot's of memories of my visit's to Wanstead Park, thanks john.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Signals927

[@marylapping8958]

Am glad to have been able to see this. My wife has always wanted to travel through the park but is wheelchair bound and it looks to rough terrain for her. At least she can at last see what it's like . Thank you.

[@menogeek09]

I could have been found in that white tower block, January to April 1982 when it was an overspill met police training centre. I have vivid memories of twice weekly cross country runs round Bush Wood and Wanstead Park in similarly cold weather! I met the lady who was to become my wife in the British Queen up in Wanstead to find that she lived within 100 yds of the training centre!! Nearly 40 years later we have moved all the way to South Woodford and regularly still take on the mud in Wanstead Park. Love your videos, I know virtually all the walks you have done in this part of East London / Essex, but invariably you still turn up stuff that I hadn't a clue about. Thank you for entertaining and informing us

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks so much for sharing that JGL - always great to hear of the stories attached to the buildings we pass in our daily lives

[@christinetaylor6179]

Brilliant walk John thank you. As a child in the 50's my parents used to take me there on at weekends. After all these years it's great to learn so much about it.

[@melissaquinn1296]

An interesting subject. I am just happy it is not a third one in a row about rivers!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I made a big effort to avoid the hatrick

[@ArferNower]

Thanks John excellent as always

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Arfer - thanks for watching

[@ZL54JK8]

I enjoyed that so much. Brings back many memories. Thank you!

[@alisonedwards8810]

Awesome as always!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Alison

[@joeallen5166]

I look forward to these videos so much. Thanks John!

[@nzd3742]

Epic stuff, thanks John.

[@danielboulton98]

One good thing about the cold weather is indeed the frozen mud. back to normal next week I'm afraid

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Yes I can confirm it's back to normal now Daniel - walked across the mud lakes of Leyton Flats to the Eagle Pond today

[@danielboulton98]

@@JohnRogersWalks ah fun fun I'll probably venture out tomorrow it should be interesting

[@mtaha6517]

Really enjoyed this walk with u. U explained all main places in the context of history.

[@gabriellaclarke9834]

An absolute delight, thanks John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks very much Gabriella

[@Curiousdriving]

Just fantastic, thanks for this wonderful adventure

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Ian

[@SisterGoodbass]

Absolutely wonderful, thanks John. I grew up nearby and know these paths and sights so well. Moved away some years ago but this brought memories flooding back, plus new-old stories I didn't know. As a kid spent many hours on cross country runs around Wanstead park, it was used by local schools, maybe still is. Lots of mud and stinging nettles, but a great way to get to know the landscape.

[@rangerover.1971]

My children are at Wanstead High School and they still use it for cross country runs - my son practiced only last Sunday.

[@jamiejosh96]

Great video as always John, thanks for the weekly videos!!

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Thanks for the walk!

[@stephenpinder9567]

Truly epic John. Looking forward to more.

[@iainmacvicar5858]

Fascinating stuff. Like the drone footage, gives a real sense of place.

[@nwlondontimemachine9484]

Another superb video! Thank you

[@philburdett]

Fabulous, thank you sir!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Phil glad you enjoyed it

[@seandavis11961]

I loved watching that. Well Done!

[@Underthevolcanobooks]

Magnificent, man. Layers and layers.

[@davidwheal6543]

Another great walk thanks john

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers David

[@minijames2777]

Love the drone footage. Great walk as always John.

[@patriciadodman1284]

Excellent John thanks very much.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for watching Patricia

[@sallypassmore8748]

Superbly stunning. Thank you so much for a beautiful winter walk.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Sally, thanks for watching

[@tinatndc]

Thank you Mr Rogers, I was sent this video by a fan of yours and thought it might be a commentry on how much better things used to be, so I was thrilled at how upbeat and positive you were. It is a real privilege to have this on our doorsteps and to have you bring it to life at every turn. I proposed to my husband on the bench opposite The Grotto in 2006 (he said yes) and we go back to the same spot every year and still feel the same way.

[@johnfoster7996]

Wonderful video, thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers John

[@ArtofaCat]

What a fantastic video! I absolutely loved seeing the passion and appreciation you have for the history of Wanstead park. What is really special, is that I practically grew up walking around this place as a kid. Me and my family would walk our labrador here all the time. I am a huge fan of the history of the park, especially the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin who use to ride through those very woods before they were developed. Hearing your mention of him and his uncle at the end put a smile on my face. It was also so wonderful to see all these locations, like pebble beach. My family used to call that small section pebble beach as well! Thank you for making such an enjoyable and educational video on the park and its history, it's such an enjoyable watch and a great trip down memory lane. I even learned some things I never knew.

[@GRTZK]

Superb, as ever, John. Much appreciated.

[@lycan36]

Another Great walk John, I so enjoy your videos and the way you tell the history! Thanks

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Another great walk thanks John 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure tomgirl double

[@nickbruce6644]

Another superb video John, absolutely brilliant, keep up the great work.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Nick

[@Mick_Holland]

Thoroughly enjoyable, John. Ta!

[@littleacornslandscapes2935]

Great video.the editing is brill. Thanks John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Little Acorns

[@Lulu-jl5zd]

Wonderful film. Thank you John for sharing.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Lulu

[@robbojax2025]

Glad you are now posting Sundays as the videos are so relaxing before bedtime. Loved this one as most of my childhood and teen years were spent in Wanstead Park. I remember to 1963 big freeze when all the ponds were frozen for nearly three months and the Ornamental Lake had to be restocked with fish.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I'll certainly try to stick to Sunday uploads Robert

[@seanwilkinson876]

Great video. Nice to have a narrative when walking round an area. The wife must have been very naive to marry such a well known rake. I think I might even have seen her once when walking back through Bush Wood very late at night. She appeared as a white figure in the distance, but I didn't hang around to check it out too much. Later, I heard that this white lady was reputed to be the tragic wife of the owner of Wanstead House. I can't agree with you about Wanstead Park being the muddiest part of Epping Forest. Many areas are muddy but, for me, the muddiest place is the left hand side of Highams Park Lake. It's a mud-slip nightmare! Re Shoulder of Mutton Pond: when you were allowed to swim in it in my youth in the late 1970s, we found many Victorian pharmacy bottles and pop bottles on the muddy pond bed. It was a treasure trove!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That's a great story Sean - we can now add the ghost to its rich narrative

[@seanwilkinson876]

@@JohnRogersWalks I was surprised you hadn't mentioned the ghost of the white lady. It was a well known story when I lived in Wanstead in the 1990s.

[@briansmail7297]

Especially as Greater London Cemetery is just south of the Park itself. Spooky at night for sure..

[@4thEyeVision]

Great walk thanks John

[@patsie1888]

That was wonderful!

[@richardclark148]

Magnificant John definitely a splendid walk and history of your local patch really like the drone shots which show the landscape with the arrows showing where you are in it......it is a fascinating story of the rise and fall of a newly rich family at an interesting time in history when everything was changing

[@bc-sj7qi]

another most enjoyable video john..just thinking if you had taught me history i would have enjoyed it so much more

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Ha, glad you enjoyed it Brian

[@tonesw6957]

Fasinating stuff. Your enthusiasm is infectious .

[@lukeharris8806]

Thanks John for another wonderful Sunday evening adventure - such a beautiful and evocative place steeped in fascinating history ...

[@diannereeks1150]

Thx for this. Stunning drone footage and helpful maps. Loved all the stories. I’ve been here many times and just knew it as ornamental lakes

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Dianne - glad I could show you more of the Park

[@TheHigherCraft]

Brilliant John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Higher Craft

[@darrenwinfield825]

Great video and talk thanks

[@ivanrainbird2416]

thank you for all the information john great stuff

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Ivan

[@begbieyabass]

Excellent, i am gonna watch this tonight after cerfew

[@sami-zc1nl]

finally a whole video on wanstead park ,nice one john you kept your promise

[@TheDutchman92000]

Great video John, thank you, fantastic venue.

[@stevec00ps]

Great video John! That hour flew by :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

glad you enjoyed it Steve

[@johnbanks3054]

Keep it up John ; )

[@lamiaitaly2549]

I used to live in Draycot Road and would hear the bell ringing in St Marys every hour or half hour. Wonderful church. Thanks for the video

[@bernardjakob8959]

Still does every hour, half hour and quarter hour... day and night. Those moving to the area moan about it for a while, but you soon become deaf to it. I moved into the road next to St Mary's 28 years ago and love the bells.

[@raethia]

I just read that William Wellesley-Pole the husband of the poor Catherine Tylney-Pole had an immense party at Wanstead House in 1814 to celebrate the victory of his uncle the Duke of Wellington over Napoleon. The event was attended by the Prince Regent, other members of the Royal Family and OVER A THOUSAND dignitaries. We can only imagine the grandness of the house and its gardens to host thousands of guests!!! In the years following the French Revolution, the House was also occasionally let out to members of the Bourbon French Royal Family in exile. Incredible facts.

[@kerryannestevenson6099]

Thankyou as usual for an excellent walk,always motivates me to get active whilst I follow along with your informative commentary.

[@johnmiller5630]

Really interesting and superbly therapeutic. Thank you so much for sharing your immense knowledge.

[@grayee]

Love it. Wanstead park and flats have been our garden for the last 31 years.

[@ut02tl]

Such memories of a youth spent in Wanstead Park and Flats, brought it all back from 55 year's ago.

[@musehic1953]

Another triumph so informative.

[@morriganwitch]

Thank you John missed this on the day however we continue to walk vicariously with you staying warmer tho xxx

[@Hammertime054]

Nice one john, spent a lot of my youth time over that beautiful park, cheers👍👍👍

[@roberthayes9842]

Grew up there, many a happy day playing in the woods

[@EllySpace]

Great relaxing walk! Well filmed and explained! Loved watching and listening! ❤️❤️❤️

[@johncarter2573]

What a fantastic story of wanstead. Thanks John great.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers John - glad you enjoyed it

[@davidwarwick4777]

Another brilliant video, thank you John. Who would have thought one park offered so much history. Can’t wait for the next... ‘wherever that may be...

[@suecondon1685]

Wonderful, fascinating as always. Jeffs are always reliable - made me chuckle.

[@rickwills4281]

Thanks John, another FAB walk....loved the drone footage btw and the Hendrix anecdote!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

glad you enjoyed it Rick

[@dannorth3138]

Getting the drones out getting fancy now John 😉 Another fascinating video, new music too 👍

[@taniamenendez6786]

I will use your book on my next visit to London. Thank you very much for sharing the unknown part of the city. I love the way you explain all those stories.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks very much Tania

[@samsungw200]

Great film thanks John

[@rrygor]

Gold again John. More areas covered today that have fond memories of my younger years. Walking the Avenue at the start, the Metropolitan Police used to train their horses nearby, my grandma would take my sister and I over to give the riders refreshments. Many times walking through Wanstead Park, the ponds, the grotto....great stuff. Catch you again soon Nick.

[@mungofitz]

You really are a treasure Mr Rogers. I roamed and loved this area seventy years ago and you have observed it beautifully. Lovelier and colder than Torquay in Victoria Australia.

[@GreyGhost.]

excellent upload. Wonderful to see these clips of your Dad. ' In silence we unite'. Many thanks.

[@geofffisher3902]

I love it when you thank us for accompanying you. We should thank you so much more. Cheers.

[@andrewcroft6855]

Your videos are always enchanting and informative John, this one was particularly wonderful and the drone footage just added to the glory of it all. Always a terrific and highly relaxing watch. Keep up the good work

[@athoshadjiantoni6403]

You always like walking around Redbridge and Epping Forest Borough. Great walk John Rogers. 👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I do indeed Athos

[@Theoobovril]

Here's to the next walk, "wherever that may be"...great video again, John.

[@toboldygo5823]

John what a beautiful and informative walk thank you sir☺️🙏🏻✨

[@kaysridgedell3404]

Awesome video.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Kay

[@BASHER601]

Hi Basher601 I used to live and work in Leytonstone, so I often used to cycle and walk the paths you have just walked. Thanks for uncovering the history of the Wanstead Park. Keep up the good work.

[@Rickyivesofficial]

Recently did a video “my most recent uploaded” of Wanstead park. I lived in Leytonstone all my life 34 years and you know what it was until I started watching your videos that I finally discovered the avenue such a beautiful walk and lead up to Wanstead park! I’m still in amateur mode of KZbin creator but am slowly developing my skills and and tour videos gimme the inspiration I need to do that! Thanks John! 🙏

[@thfccfht]

Marvelous stuff, really enjoyed it I have been entertained and educated....

[@anthonyknight9884]

Great video John. I only live 4 miles away and didn’t know this park was so beautiful. Must visit this year

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Wonderful to hear Anthony

[@timbuthfer901]

Best walk yet John, amazing history. First time I have actually seen the site of Wanstead House. So much incredible history on our doorstep.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for that Tim - glad you enjoyed it

[@sabuzacwalker3822]

So great walk talk. Walking trips are great! I loved the wonderful and informative scenes :) Keep cheering!🙇‍♂️👍👏🌹♥️

[@DanCherishedsoul]

Great glad u done this video john look forward to sundays latest uploads top as always and I love it when you do the local area as is my area lived woodville rd from 1978 my family still live in e11

[@JohnRogersWalks]

glad you enjoyed it Daniel

[@DanCherishedsoul]

@@JohnRogersWalks everytime helping keeping us going in these times I learn something every video 👍👌

[@mariaherbert1469]

Stunning views from the drone. Hope to see more it gives your walks much more clarity as to exactly where you meander. Lovely video. Keep up the good work. Dont envy you out in the freezing weather. But worth it

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Maria - yes great work by High Flying Drone Shots - I was very lucky to have that footage

[@mikebokka5784]

loving yr work John !!.. lived next to Park for over 30 years now ..Feel so lucky to be doing so .

[@CorvoFG]

Ooh, a new London walk. I think I’ve worn out the paths in Nunhead cemetery!

[@Aaron-wo4lt]

I love Nunhead walks.

[@chrisrichardson5302]

Fascinating, my favourite video of yours yet. Been watching your videos for a few years now since, first moving to the area from the US. Thanks for your videos!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks very much Chris