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Wanstead Park

The Chalet, Wanstead Park

 

 

Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park gets its name from the elaborate refreshment building that was situated some yards to the west of the garden of the Temple. It burned down, we believe, on 23 November 1948

 

In the dry weather of June 1996, crop marks became very clear showing the whole layout of the building - not just the main structure but also the verandah that ran all around the four sides. They were so clear that it was easy to take measurements of the building, and it was thought well worth photographing.

To get a better perspective for the photograph we used Geoff Bosher's Landrover with a ladder strapped to the side for extra height, with Pete Saunders and Paul Ferris taking turns to take photographs from the top. Passers by must have wondered what we were up to - particularly when one or the other of us was perched up top waiting for the sun to appear!

Sadly on that morning a corner of the crop marks had been torn up by earth moving equipment trying to remove - we were told - "concrete" from the Forest. What they churned up of course was part of the foundations of the building - only scarcely noticeable because of the very dry conditions. Now, any times in the future that the shape reappears, it will no longer be complete and the area will always show the signs of this unnecessary damage.

 

The Chalet, Wanstead ParkPhotographing the crop marks, June 1996 (photographed by Pete Saunders)

THE CHALET CROPS UP AGAIN - Crop marks of the Chalet, June 1996

Towards the top left of the picture can be seen the damage done when part of the foundations of the building were unnecessarily dug-up. The right-hand picture shows the method used to get the photograph!

wp_chalet_layout

 

The plan above was measured out and drawn by Pete Saunders

 

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Locations in Wanstead Park

Clicking on the numbered index will generally take you to an overview or reference to that entry. In some cases it may be photographs.

  1. Bund, the
  2. Chalet, the
  3. Chalet Wood
  4. Dell, the
  5. Engine House Island
  6. Epping Forest
  7. Exchange Lands, the
  8. Fortifications, the
  9. Gateposts at Overton Drive
  10. Glade, the
  11. Grotto, the
  12. Grove, the
  13. Heronry Pond
  14. House Field Pond
  15. Lake System
  16. Lincoln Island
  17. Northumberland Avenue Strip
  18. Ornamental Waters
  19. Perch Pond
  20. Plain, the
  21. Pump House, the
  22. Repton Oak, the
  23. Reservoir Wood
  24. River Roding
  25. River Wood
  26. Rook Island
  27. Sewage Works Site
  28. Shoulder of Mutton Pond
  29. Temple, the
  30. Tree Avenues
  31. Wanstead House
  32. Wanstead Park
  33. Wartime damage
  34. Warren Wood
  35. Waterworks Wood
  36. Whisker's Island
  37. Woodlands Avenue Wayleave
  1. Wanstead Park - Repton Oak
  2. Wanstead Park - Plants
  3. Wanstead House
  4. Wanstead Park - Introduction

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Featured Links

Wren Conservation Group
Wanstead's local wildlife Group - Practical Work, Wildlife walks and outings ------------------------------
Epping Forest Outdoor Group
EFOG - Walking, Cycling and Outdoor Activities as well as Social events outdoors and in. Based in Wanstead. ------------------------------
Friends of Wanstead Parklands
Helping to protect Wanstead Park's past, present and future ------------------------------
Essex Field Club
EFC - the leading society for wildlife and geology enthusiasts in Essex. ------------------------------