Isn’t it funny that no Top 10 travel guide will ever say: ‘just find a spot, any spot you like and just be!’ Nor will it ever recommend, ‘pick up some bits and bobs from the local offy and head to a green space on a summer’s (ish) day!’
Well, that’s exactly what I did…
on a jaunt to Hollow Pond.
In London, away from the St Paul’s, Notting Hills, Trafalgar Squares and Oxford Streets, you’ll find many parks (not the fancy-schmancy Royal ones), wetlands, canals and forests. After all, London has been described as an urban forest by the UN!
Hollow Pond – is located on the tip of Epping Forest, wedged between Leytonstone and Snaresbrook in East London.
The first time I visited, I was actually on a date. You see, Hollow Pond has a really cool boating lake. So there I was, reimagining the scene in The Notebook where Ryan Gosling takes Rachel McAdams out on the lake right before they erm, kiss – yep, that scene.
Anyways, that’s the thing about these romance films – real life never follows the same script. Same goes for Top 10 travel lists. Still, Hollow Pond is a great place for a date. Or to just go out on a stroll, have a picnic or to head out on the lake – all 13 acres of it!
This time, my bestie joined me. There was no romantic rowing for us. Instead, we hunkered down on the gritty-pebbly banks for the gorgeous sundown, sloshed down cheap wine and watched kids lob pieces of bread at the birds.
For the adults in the room: there’s narrating for all geese, herons, swans, ducks, pigeons and the many types of birds that flocked around us. Which is what we did.
Definitely not ‘aving it!’ Can you see the watery nest? This new mum was on the the warpath, chasing anything that she thought too close to her newborns!
David Attenborough would be proud. Even if our commentary was more suited for a post-watershed Christmas episode of EastEnders!
Now, how’s that for things to do?
That sounds like a nice day out. Having really only been to London very occasionally to work, then back home to Yorkshire I don’t really think of London as having many green spaces – all I ever saw was buildings and traffic. It looks so peaceful there… everyone needs some grass and fresh air 🙂. Thanks for sharing.
You’re more than welcome 😊 It’s true that London can seem like a concrete jungle at first glance, but there are actually quite a few lovely green spots if you know where to look. I bet Yorkshire must have plenty—even more stunning ones too!
Ah it was a beautiful day indeed. Not forgetting when our Beryl sounded the alarm ‼️ 🚨 shortly followed by an army of swans, geese and ducks swimming in from all directions with major urgency after that rogue dog entered the water 👀🤣 he didn’t bat an eyelid ha!
Wasn’t it just! That alarm and follow up was the best. It was if the birds had drills and and quite possibly been practising forever! Ha! 🤔There’s no way that dog didn’t have a clue!