Wanstead Park

Man-made Features

Buildings, Bridges, Constructions, Stones and Signs, Foundations.

This section contains some features of Wanstead Park that may not be so obvious to the casual visitor, or may have been overlooked or disregarded by those more familiar.

Buildings

Apart from the Temple and the Grotto - dealt with in more detail elsewhere - a number of other buildings are present in Wanstead Park. These are notably the Keepers' Lodges, the Refreshment Kiosk and the Pump House.

Keepers' Lodges. (photo)

There are two keepers' lodges, adjacent to and to the north-east of the Temple. These consist of a brick-built pair of houses. There are also garage building within the fenced area enclosing the lodges.

Refreshment Kiosk. (photo)

Some 100 metres north of the entrance gate to the Park at the junction of Northumberland Avenue and Wanstead Park Avenue. A simple building, though with mock columns and steps to the serving hatch, this is ornamented somewhat in the style of the old Wanstead House and provides a useful amenity close to the Heronry Pond. From a distance the light coloured paintwork and the blue coloured roof - with the columns - makes a pleasant enough sight. In January 2005 a disabled access ramp was provided.

The Pump House. (photo)

Situated in the extreme north of the Park by the River Roding, this austere building houses the pump engine enabling water to be taken from the Roding into the Ornamental Water. There are no windows and only a strong door for access. It was constructed in 1936 (see "The Lake System of Wanstead Park" p22).

Bridges

There are two major bridges in Wanstead Park - the Dell Bridge and the Coronation Bridge - plus one just outside of the Park proper giving access to an adjacent part of Epping Forest, the old Redbridge (Southern) Sewage Works Site. There are also a number of small bridges that span ditches. Some of these may be seen in the photos (click here)

The Dell Bridge. (photo)

This bridge crosses the overflow stream from the Dell into the southern arm of the Ornamental Water. It is built of redbrick with a grey-brick top layer. The dam below the bridge's east side was constructed by the Wren Conservation Group in an effort to maintain a shallow level of water in parts of the Dell, and has proved very satisfactory. (See also "Stones and signs" (no.5) below)

The Coronation Bridge. (photo)

This forms the major access to Wanstead Park crossing the river from Ilford. Originally a rustic wooden bridge, it was initiated by the Ilford Ratepayers Association and opened in 1902 by WP Griggs, the donor of the bridge. The original being named to commemorate the coronation of Edward V11, it has now been replaced by a metal construction with wooden planking. (See also "Stones and signs" (no. 6) below)

The New Roding Bridge. (photo)

Just south of the Coronation bridge is a much newer construction of concrete. This was built to facilitate entry for service vehicles from Wanstead Park Road, Ilford into the land on the site of the old sewage works that is owned by London Borough of Redbridge. It now constitutes part of the London Cycle Network (LCN) system of cycle-ways.

The Grotto Bridge. (photo)

Barely visible now - and with no known photographs or drawings of the structure - is brickwork opposite the Grotto (on the Peninsular bank), the remains of a bridge which spanned the beginning of the southern arm of the Ornamental waters. With the establishment of the boarded embankment some years ago, the brickwork was retained and a small rectangular "bay" in the embankment will enable it to be found.

Lincoln Island/Rook Island Bridge. (photos)

Another bridge was known to have spanned the cut that separates the two major islands of the Ornamental Waters. There is brickwork visible on both islands, but from the viewing point on the "mainland" only that brickwork on Lincoln Island can be readily seen, and then usually only in winter and when the water is low. An investigation some years ago by Peter Saunders found no evidence of additional brick piers between the the islands. It is assumed therefore, that as the span is quite considerable, wooden supports would have been used.

Constructions

Other constructions to be found in Wanstead Park include the following:

Pump Control Box. (photo)

This is located some metres SE of the refreshment kiosk, near to the Perch Pond. It is brick-built with a double-sloping roof which imitates that of the kiosk. It was constructed to act as the pump-housing for the bore-hole that was dug to enhance the lake system. Outflow may be switched between the Heronry Pond and the Perch Pond.

Stones and signs

In a number of locations throughout the Park can be found marker stones - many now becoming obscured by vegetation or uplifted by construction traffic. These and a variety of other signs that are known are recorded here.

1. Boundary Marker by River Roding. (photo)

This is perhaps the most well known stone in the Park, being easily visible close to the river near the bund at a point where bare ground slopes down to the river itself. An elderly resident of Aldersbrook recalled that at this point used to be a ford across the river, on the Ilford bank being a meadow. Now it is a recreation field. The stone itself is clearly marked: I.P. 1900 B B W.K.A.

2. Boundary Marker in the bund. (photo)

This is now very difficult to find, located some 150 metres perhaps, to the west of the stone above. The stone is marked: I P 1896

3. Concrete marker in woods at SE corner of Park. (photo)

This marker lies below the embankment of the old Sewage Works site. It is marked: E.H.T. C.J. (This may indicate Extremely High Tension Cable Junction)

4. Epping Forest boundary markers. (photo)

A series of these markers were situated along the southern boundary of the Park with the old Wanstead Southern Sewage Works. Many are now missing - indeed presently (2002) one still attached to its concrete stabiliser is in the Dell, having presumably been uprooted by the vehicles that had been doing banking work around the Ornamental Water. They are marked simply: E F, with an arrow either side.

5. Ordnance Survey Bench Mark - Dell Bridge. (photo)

This is chiselled into the brickwork on the SW corner of the bridge. (more info)

6. National Rivers Authority Bench Mark - Coronation Bridge. (photo)

This is a metal disc, inset into the NE corner of the bridge and marked NRA. (more info)

7. Manhole cover - near Dell Bridge. (photo)

This triangular cover is on the north side of the bridge. Its interest lies in the inscription: W & WBC (Wanstead and Woodford Borough Council) . There is another on the south edge of the Glade, about half way up.

Foundations and other aspects

The foundations of buildings and constructions no longer present may occasionally be found - or are recorded here for future reference.

1. Foundations of the Chalet. (details and photo)

The crop marks relating to this building that once stood just west of the Temple can sometimes be made out.

2. Boat House by Perch Pond. The concrete foundations of this building east of the kiosk were plainly visible until removed some years ago. No obvious trace now remain.

3. Foundations of Toilet Blocks. A number of W.C.s were located in various parts of the Park. These are shown on some maps as "urinals". Of these, one is still visible in Warren Wood, though may be difficult to find in the undergrowth.

4. Concrete slab or block. Occasionally one becomes aware of a feature that is distinct from the surroundings. One such occurs by the trackway that runs from the Blake Hall Road gate towards the Shoulder of Mutton Pond. As the track leaves Reservoir Wood and the grassland opens out, a concrete block may be noticed underfoot. A slight, almost in discernable impression of a ring-shape may just be made out, and this has enhanced a suggestion that it may be a concrete block - originally with a hinged metal ring - used as a tether for a barrage balloon. Any suggestions would be useful! (photo)

5. Galvanised Hot Water Tank . Although of course a variety of objects find their way into the Park - from discarded Christmas trees, through coke cans to cars - one may be of particular interest. Pete Saunders has for years known of a cube shaped welded steel box, originally found half buried in the ground on one of the park's islands. It is about 20 inches on each edge, has numerous circular holes including a large one that originally was covered with a circular panel attached by rivets or screws to a surface that is double-skinned steel. What it is a hot water tank! Because of its location, positioning and weight, it appears to have been dropped into position, but from what and why? (photo)

6. The Punt. (photo) A number of photographs and old postcards of Wanstead Park show a punt on the Ornamental Waters. It is probable that this was berthed in the Grotto. In 1976 when the lake was extremely low in water, the punt was found sunk into the silt. Even when the photograph was taken (by Peter Saunders of Leytonstone) the visible sides had been kicked in by vandals.