Epping Forest is an underrated gem, particularly on a stomp through the crisp autumn leaves, only 20 minutes walk from the end of the Central Line. It’s particularly well signposted, and has some impressively pointless boardwalks.
That signage didn’t stop me getting seriously off-piste as I approached the M11. No-one else about on a glorious day, not even dog-walkers. I then had a recollection of the case of a young chap subjected to grisly torture in a farm just off this stretch of motorway a few years back.
I then remembered that was in a BBC drama, probably featuring Ken Stott. Two p(o)ints to anyone can remember what I’m thinking about.
One of the walks of the year, with some proper hilly bits, but I’ve never been seen so pleased to see the Smog in all its glory. The best views of the London skyline are from Essex.
All of Epping’s Beer Guide places are close to the Forest, with the Theydon Oak a typically attractive weather-boarded dining pub. Essex rarely does spectacular, except in being spectacularly consistent. This one had chickens running about in the beer garden, which I’ve mixed feelings about.
The new Guide place clearly reflects some commitment to LocAles as well as a breadth of range (if they’re on).
I presume the unique dispense system sees beer poured into glasses perched on top of the pump, reducing carbonation.
The average Essex grey market dining pub is more likely than the Cambridge specimen to see ale drinkers at lunchtime (hurrah !). Unfortunately here rather dull and expensive Youngs (NBSS 2.5) wasn’t going to divert the undecided away from their Peroni.
The highlight of my visit was a young chap who dropped his menu sheet a couple of feet away. Rather than get off his chair to pick it up, as a human being would do, he moved his chair to a 45 degree angle and clung to the table for dear life trying to pick it up for 20 seconds. It amused his toddler, but rather proved to me that these are, indeed, the End of Times. Or perhaps it was performance art.
In contrast, Epping Town Centre was a disappointment, a very functional shopping street lacking much independent enterprise, even with the mysterious “Chaps”. Local cuisine saved the day though, with the street market providing a large sourdough and two samosas for two English pounds. Wow.
The only Guide entry I can recall in the centre is the Black Lion, which I think you could describe as a “traditional market pub”. That’s either the cheapest menu I’ve seen all year, or they’re selling samosas as a filling lunch at quite a mark-up.
retiredmartin 
Sadly this is the way most pub meals are going – biggest or mostest for cheapest price is bestest. I tend not to eat in pubs these days, apart from Bundobust, wait, it’s not a pub is it, or NorthernMonkRefectory, sorry still not a pub. The last really good pub food I had was in the West Bay Hotel, West Bay, W. Dorset – wait, that’s not a pub neither, it’s more a gastro pub with just a bit of bar and a couple of stools for drinkers. Cracking sea food based menu though.
LikeLike
Despite your encouragement, I still haven’t been to Bundobust yet. I think they’re opening in Manchester soon too.
LikeLike
They are indeed venturing out of Leeds. Bundo chaat & Okra fries is all you need to know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and I have similar taste I feel !
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I say “Terror” and “Epping Forest” all I could think of was the song by Genesis:
LikeLike
Apologies. I did not realize my link would turn into an embedded thingy.
LikeLike
Thats ok mate. Can cut and paste it.
LikeLike
Confess I was into Peter Gabriel at 15 but not Genesis, sound quality of Selling England pretty shocking.
LikeLike
Collins had his 2nd debut as lead singer on that album. After hearing that for the first time, I couldn’t believe he’d go on to have his own band (but since it was more “pop” than anything else, that’s no bloody surprise).
Earlier Genesis was on par with Gabriel solo, in my humble opinion. 🙂
Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will listen to Genesis all weekend all afternoon now.
LikeLike
Is it a tied pub?
LikeLike
Owned by individual apparently !
LikeLike
Well perhaps it’s something to do with string theory then.
LikeLike
I’m sorry Michael. Your first answer won. I just wasn’t paying attention. Not sure why it’s always on the Youngs though ?
LikeLike
Prize winning quiz entry I should think.
LikeLike
Martin (is this me) I completely missed the genius of Michael’s response (excuse – I was in a Spoons). Michael wins.
LikeLike