Wanstead Flats and Bush Wood

Wanstead Flats is a large area of open grassland in the south of the forest, perfect for sports, picnics and enjoying nature.

It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and home to Jubilee Pond.

Things to do on Wanstead Flats

• Enjoy a walk around Jubilee Pond on our Lime Trail or take your bike, your horse or your dog
• Visit nearby Bush Wood
• Wander around Wanstead Heath and appreciate the SSSI environment
• Pack a picnic and have lunch at the water's edge
• Explore our pondlife at our pond dipping platform
• Grab your binoculars for a day of bird-watching and see meadow pipits and skylarks
• Play football at our renowned playing fields
• Get fit with health walks and parkruns - see our walking page for details

Easy access trail

Our easy access path at Wanstead Flats circles Jubilee Pond, a haven for various aquatic plants, and wildfowl such as coot, mallard and moorhens.

• This trail has a level, firm, non-slip surface and is 0.5km (0.3 miles) long with benches and passing places for wheelchairs at regular intervals
• Interpretation is available at the beginning of the trail and is large print and accessible and readable from a seated position
• There is an easy access platform which offers the opportunity for fishing or relaxing contemplation at the waterside for wheelchair users
• The path can be most easily accessed from Jubilee Pond car park via a firm and level path
• Unfortunately, we do not have toilet or refreshment facilities nearby, so we recommend a comfort break in Wanstead ahead of your visit

Parking and travel info

By bike

The car park at Jubilee Pond has several Sheffield-style bike racks for you to lock your bike to.

By train

Wanstead Flats is a 1.8km (1.1 mile) walk from Leytonstone station on the Central line; a 0.4 mile (0.7km) walk from Leytonstone High Road or Wanstead Park stations on the London Overground or Forest Gate station on TfL Rail.

By bus

The 58 and 308 buses both serve Wanstead Flats directly.

By car

Parking is available at these car parks:

Please visit our car parking page for opening and closing times for each of our car parks.