After a hard session with Nikki, your horse gets a rest — and so should your legs. Nazeing sits between the rolling common land of the Essex hills and the lakes and meadows of the Lee Valley, and some of the best walks in the area start a few minutes from the yard. Here are our favourites, with what’s best in each season.
1. Cornmill Meadows Dragonfly Trail
- Distance: about 2 miles, circular, on grass paths with several bridges.
- Start: Cornmill Meadows car park, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey EN9 2ES — just down the road from the yard.
- Why go: the meadows are a dragonfly sanctuary and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, one of the best places in Essex, Hertfordshire and London to see them.
- Best in: summer, when the dragonflies are out in force.
2. Fishers Green and the lakes
- Distance: about 4 miles on surfaced paths — the Lee Valley Lake and Riverside Trail, starting at Lee Valley Park Farms and passing Fishers Green and Holyfield Lake.
- Start: Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF — also on our road.
- Why go: open water, woodland and some of the best birdwatching nearby, with a bittern watchpoint at Fishers Green. Shorter option: the Otter Discovery Trail, about 1.75 miles.
- Best in: winter — the surfaced paths stay walkable when fields are muddy, and winter is the time to look out for bitterns.
3. The Nazeing Country Walk
- Distance: about 4 miles, circular, following ancient trackways and footpaths around the edge of Nazeingwood Common.
- Start: between the pubs in Epping Green, CM16 6PU.
- Why go: big skies and long views across the common towards the Lee Valley — real Nazeing countryside, with the history of the common along the way.
- Best in: late spring to autumn. Some sections get muddy in winter, so take boots.
4. Monks and Meadows, Waltham Abbey
- Distance: about 5 miles.
- Start: Waltham Abbey Gardens, EN9 1XQ.
- Why go: history and nature in one: the Abbey, the gardens, the Dragonfly Sanctuary and the River Lee Country Park, heading north through Cornmill Meadows and back along Waltons Walk.
- Best in: spring, with blossom in the gardens — and finish with a coffee in town.
5. St Paul’s Field and the Nazeing lagoons
- Start: Dobbs Weir car park, Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0AS.
- Why go: a circular route around the Nazeing lagoons through waterside habitats, linking to longer walks towards Nazeing Meads, Glen Faba and Dobbs Weir.
- Best in: any season — a lovely evening stroll by the water in summer.
Walking near horses
Many of these paths are shared with riders and cyclists. If you meet horses, step to the side, say hello so they know you’re human, and keep dogs close or on a lead — it makes every walk safer for everyone.
Before you set off
- Check the route on the Lee Valley walking routes or Visit Epping Forest pages, which have maps and directions.
- Car park opening times vary through the year, so check before a late walk.
- Wear sturdy shoes — even the flat routes can be soft after rain.
Riding rather than walking? See hacking out around Nazeing. Want to know more about our village? Read About Nazeing — and if you’re hungry afterwards, our contact page has food delivery to the yard.
Nikki Ward · Pentonville Lodge
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