Loughton’s Scarecrow Fitness Trail

I have devised a circular route around the village that takes in all the scarecrows. It will sometimes be necessary to take a few short detours down a cul-de-sac, and then to retrace one’s steps for a few yards/metres, in order to visit those scarecrows that are not directly passed by on the trail, but for the most part this is not too much of a bore. The trail passes through attractive areas of Loughton, and there are two pubs with gardens at the half way point, for those who feel like a break.

I walked the trail, including all the detours, this morning. It took me an hour and a half to complete, walking at a slow but steady pace. The trail is 7.8 km long, which is getting on for 5 miles. Walking it burns nearly 550 calories. Hence the suggestion that this is a fitness trail, not that scarecrows need to get fit! Trail visitors will need to add at least an hour, possibly an hour and a half, to the basic 1.5 hours of walking, in order to admire all the scarecrows.

A brief résumé of the ‘bare bones’ of the circular trail (that is, minus the dead-end detours) is set out below.

·      From the Church, go down Church Lane to the Bradwell Road;

·      Turn left, along the Bradwell Road to the Woodyard, then cross the road and turn right, down the Public Footpath;

·      Take a right turn just before the footbridge over the brook, and follow the footpath into Loughton Valley Park;

·      Turn right at the bridleway into Lucy Lane and walk along it to the T-junction with Linceslade Grove;

·      Turn Right up Linceslade Grove and then turn left down the Bradwell Road;

·      At the corner just before the Bradwell Road passes under the Portway/A5 Flyover, turn right up the Public Footpath to Bignell Croft;

·      At the top of Bignell Croft, turn left, along Linceslade Grove and follow the road round and down to Redland Drive;

·      Turn right into Redland Drive and continue along Redland Drive to the corner at Foxley Place;

·      Carry on past Foxley Place up the continuation of Redland Drive to the T-junction with Ashpole Furlong;

·      Cross Ashpole Furlong, continuing via the crescent and along the Public Footpath to the London Road;

·      Turn right, down the London Road to The Talbot at the Bradwell Road;

·      Turn right, along the Bradwell Road to Paynes Drive;

·      Turn left down Paynes Drive to Loughton First School;

·      Go round the school’s parking loop and head back up to Linceslade Grove to the front of Loughton Sports and Social Club;

·      Take the Public Footpath to the rear of the Sports and Social Club, turning right onto Loughton Sports Ground and walk along the back of Cavendish Court to the Meadway;

·      Go down the Meadway to the Bradwell Road;

·      Turn left, along the Bradwell Road as far as Leys Road;

·      Turn right, down Leys Road and then left up School Lane, heading back up to the Church.

We have several scarecrows that are being built by people who do not live in Loughton, and who therefore need to find a ‘home’ for their scarecrow. If anyone living on any of these roads would like to ‘host’ a ‘homeless’ scarecrow, please email me at j.hanson@ucl.ac.uk or give me a ring on 01908 696072.