I loved the book reading, thank you! Deeply evocative.. And Epping Forest in winter was beautiful. I just found your videos recently as I prepare for a first-in-my-life trip to Britain (at age 51). I've really been appreciating your energy & the organic ways you weave layers of history into your videos. I must say- Although 'Percival J.S. Perceval' *is* a delightful author name, my vote for best would have to be 'Merlin Sheldrake'. Synchronistically, he also loves Epping Forest.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 ай бұрын

Hope you have an amazing time in the UK

@crow7843

3 ай бұрын

Thank you! I know I will, however it unfolds.

I grew up in Beresford Road where you started . Watching this from Singapore where l have lived for 27 years

Peace and sanity this Sunday evening.

Never been to Epping Forest despite being a Londoner. Your previous Epping videos had me saving a few things on the map but this one has persuaded me to go in 2024 and explore. As for the Seville video, I really enjoyed it as I'm considering visiting Seville this year so it was good to see a sneak preview. I also enjoy your trips with your Son like the Berlin video you did. I would love to see you do a video walking around Belgium or the Netherlands. Especially Brugge, Antwerp, Haarlem and Amsterdam. Walking in these places gives me the best sense of Dérive - even more than London or Paris!

Epping Forest one of my top fav places on the planet. there's nothing quite like it anywhere on earth, it has its own energy and is ALIVE with ancient whispers of our inner landscapes!

Cold sunny winter days are the best.

I love this walk so much! My parents grew up in Chingford and met and had me in the 60s. I finally got to discover it for myself back in 2017. Epping Forest is my favourite place in all of Greater London. It is my home.

John, you're a trooper! Thank you from California! Can't help but hear this chorus everytime Epping forest is mentioned on this channel. :) "The Battle of Epping Forest, It's the Battle of Epping Forest, Right outside your door. You ain't seen nothing like it. No, you ain't seen nothing like it, Not since the Civil War."

Lovely walk. I love the look of bare trees in winter, beautiful in the twilight.

Love this area even though I have never been there. Such a tranquil place where a person can think in a natural situation with only birdsong and the sounds of the breeze through the leaves--priceless.

Just caught-up with this great walk - thanks, and a very Merry Christmas - John! 🎄

Keep up the good work John into 2024. Me and my wife Lesley ( originally from Camberwell, and my grandfather born in Soho and lived with my grandmother in Camden. He worked in Camden Goods Yard at 19 years of age in 1885 ) love your videos. The social history you uncover is fascinating. We have your new book as well as your first book. Happy Christmas and great New Year 😊

I'm 56 now I always your videos I'm not married I never had any children I admire you are my

Love walking through the woods in winter something magical about it

Omg - JR in the forest - classic vid, so enjoyable

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Peter

I was excited to see that 'This Other London' has a scarcity of typos.

This feels so Christmassy John. Lovely.

As a Merseysider based in Yorkshire, still waiting to make this walk. Enchanting landscape.

Here's a clue John.. Cows have udders mate 👍

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Ah I should have looked!

Ever since I started watching your videos years ago John, you have never been able to hide your excitement at entering Epping forest...... or mentioning getting lost therein!... another great video.

@luapnosboh7421

6 ай бұрын

Go somewhere you know , then go further afield until you know it like tha palm of your hand

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

thanks Martin - the allure and magic of the forest just gets stronger and my bearings never improve

Here in Moscow we had -15C, but some our regions had -50C this week 😊

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Wow that is cold. You have my sympathies

Wonderful memories of Epping Forest . In particular High Beech , boy friends and Mini cars in the '60's !!

Another enjoyable walk with a few bits of previously unknown history, I cannot recall ever reading about the Lopping history even though I knew about the Enclosure protests.

Enjoy your walks.

Thank you John for yet another reminder of my boyhood, and thank you to the pioneers who saved this wonderful piece of land for the people of East London/SW Essex.

I was out in the forest this morning. Wish I’d bumped into you John. 🍺

@gordondeans2549

6 ай бұрын

Not a chance of catching John in the morning ... he only starts his walks just before dusk so that they never reach their destinations.

@alanpitts6326

6 ай бұрын

Seville highlights - yes please John.

Thanks John, Happy Memories of My Father Taking me to Chingford and on to The Plains . Stay Safe

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

cheers Dave

Lovely stuff, sir...not only my surrogate rambler but now my surrogate chef, I see...makes me eager to do a forest walk & hungry in equal measure...🙂

Brilliant video John, you have a way with words and really give a good feel to the places you visit, I grew up in chingford, (still here) Epping Forest served as my place of escape in my youth, camping listening to black metal and getting drunk out in the woods on friday/Saturday nights, still do a lot of walking there now, it's the only good thing about chingford, the best thing in my opinion, hope you had a good Christmas, beautiful upload as always 🖤

Thanks for taking me on another great walk around my old boyhood stamping ground.

1:55 😅. Good looking cow, healthy. That squiggly-looking tree as you talk about the lopping of Epping Forest, might be a bur oak, planted because it can withstand pollution. Other species like hornbeam can withstand (some) flooding. A great walk

I've been travelling from kingston to see London I don't know much of London and its good to explore the unknown to me maybe

Pure escapism John. Perfect as usual.

thank you John rogers for another years worth of great videos ,love from Australia 🐨🦘🕷

December at its very best.

Thanks John for the information about the Radical Landscapes exhibition which goes on until mid-February 2024 at the William Morris Gallery. Hopefully might get down to it from the Midlands.

I live in Snaresbrook, next to Eagle Pond. Spending time with my family walking in the forest is my favourite thing to do…

Thanks as always for transporting me back to the sights, sounds and smells of a crisp winters day in Blighty. Currently a tedious 30C here in Perth WA so watching you skate across the frosty grass brought some Yuletide joy for a fleeting moment.

Would u remember Ken Campbell? He starred in Fawlty Towers, In sickness and in health very funny many was also a ventriloquist, he lived at 40 Baldwin's Hill, Loughton, Essex, ive been to his home but its said he had a forest burial at Epping Forest Burial Park North Weald, Epping Forest District, Essex, England but having limited mobility im yet to go there, i go high beech a lot just for drives out but if your ever over that way might be someone too look, great video John thank you love your content

I suggest we call that brook the Rogers brook ,thx for another wonderful video John .

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Ha, I mean that'd be great. Glad you enjoyed the video

Thanks for sharing John , it used to be a great day out and a Picnic to High Beech and Epping Forest back in the day , happy memories 🤝

So enjoy watching your walks. Great locations and commentary.🎉

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Many thanks

Have they painted this lodge? As a kid the lodge was unpainted more a natural state, this of course was some time ago. I can’t say I like the white paint.

Thank you so much, John, for that walk - very nostalgic for me. Growing up in Walthamstow, Epping Forest was a playground for me, getting the 38 bus up to where they reversed in front of the Royal Forest Hotel, next to the Hunting Lodge, walking through the forest along the ancient Green Ride, crossing what was still the A11 Norwich road at Fairmead Plain and then carrying on to Bell Common. All the schools in the area had the opportunity of a monthly visit to one of the two forest classrooms, one at High Beach, one on the road to Gilwell Park, I think that was called the Jubilee Retreat, and I remember looking forward to the visits and learning about the trees and the wildlife: we were so lucky to have that provided for us. You mentioned Dick Turpin's exploits. I remember my Dad showing me the cave near High Beach (in the grounds of a pub, I seem to remember) where he was said to have hidden, presumably following a night's poaching. Turpin was born in the Bell Inn at Hempstead, north-west Essex, coincidentally the next village to where I now live. Oh, and yes, please to Seville! Very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

cheers for those memories and notes John

@chatfi3ld

6 ай бұрын

I remember the forest classrooms too! I believe the High Beach one was called Suntrap, and the other one you mention may be at the end of Yardley Lane (Chingford), although I don't know its name.

@johnhall6993

6 ай бұрын

Yes, I remember the name Suntrap. As I remember the Chingford one (it was a long time ago, of course!) it was up Bury Road from Chingford Station, heading towards Gilwell Park. I've just remembered that the teacher there was Ken Hoy. @@chatfi3ld

@sianwarwick633

6 ай бұрын

​@@johnhall6993it looks really great.

Great video, we live right next to the Hawkwood so regular walks thtough the woods up to pole hill Yates meadow Lippits Hill ( via the magical green lane) and many more . Thanks so much.

What a beautiful walk. I love every time you visit Epping Forest, and this one was particularly magical. Thank you John!

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Marco - the forest has an irresistible magic

Hi John thanks for the vid, went out a bit too late yesterday to epping town, went the wong way, (not fields), had to get a rather plush double decker bus back, after which I went on the lash in Leytonstone 🎉

@richawdon3856

6 ай бұрын

Long live the English pub! Cheers! 🤚

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Sounds like a fantastic day Kyran!!

What a wonderful winter walk John. I have grown to love Epping Forest thanks to you and these stunning perambulations. Over the last 2 years I have been out and about in this area following in your footsteps.. Looking forward to to spending more time there in the New Year.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Such a wonderful place to explore Mark - great to hear you're getting out there

John you are great at starting off conversations about London area ifind this fascinating this opens up new possibilities for travel and explore

Thank you for another great walk John. And yes please to Seville!

Saville , it's a yes from me!

I live a street away from Epping forest 🤗🤗🤗🤗 merry Christmas all 🎄

Great walk as ever. Heavy drinking combined with lopping trees with axes! What could possibly go wrong? Did they get legless? No-one’s saying no to a Seville travelogue, also perhaps a winter churches of the city of London walk could be a good shout. Thanks for all the content this year.👍

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Many thanks Phil - was just thinking I'm due a City Churches stroll

Great walk, John. Seville with commentary would be Great!

Would really love to see your Seville video

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Drew - I’m pretty sure it’ll emerge over the next couple of weeks

@DrewMacG

6 ай бұрын

@@JohnRogersWalks really looking forward to seeing this. Enjoyed the walk through Epping Forrest. Thanks again for all your videos and books

thanks john love the winters colours this time of year i thought who was that you threw me without a hat on lol shame it got dark how many miles did you walk on that one so glad this is coming back on my feed thanks again john stay safe mate steve

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Many thanks Steve - can’t remember the exact mileage but was around 8 miles to Loughton Station

Thanks John...beautifully filmed and informative. Love to see your Seville footage.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

many thanks - looking forward to sharing the Seville footage

Lovely meander through the wonderful Epping Forest which I always think is a proper winter walk.Fine video as always John!!

This was lovely. Thank you. I had to turn up the heat a couple of degrees mid-watch to ward off the chill. Ridiculous, since I am watching this from Arizona. I truly give myself over to these walks and I appreciate the work you put into them. Now, on to Seville!

Very enjoyable forest walk with some interesting commentary on its history. The exhibition looks well worth a visit. Thank you.

It would be great to see your take on Seville John. With or without commentary. 👍

The best thumbnail, John! 🍻

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Rich - I changed it at the last minute

@richawdon3856

6 ай бұрын

@@JohnRogersWalksGlad you did, John. It really works. Merry Yule!

Visited High Beach & The Loughton Camp today. It's surprising how many folks were about despite the dreary weather. Like yourself John, there's something about a stroll through Epping Forest that makes you feel very festive, along with a decent pint of the black stuff in The Kings Head at the end 😉🎄🎀 Merry Christmas 😀 . Yes to your Seville footage 👍🏻

Fascinating, impressive, video John, many thanks. Seen many of your videos and this was the perfect combination of heartfelt observation and historical context. (Maybe the promotion element was a little intense). Touching and full of heart,Keep up the good work

That was so interesting, thank you John. I never knew all that history attached to Epping Forest, yet I have been there so many times in my younger days. I did enjoy this walk so much. 💕🇦🇺

…also managed to find a copy of ‘London’s Forest’ on eBay. Your reading sold it to me John.

Thank you! A most enjoyable, magical walk with you, John, albeit from the cosy comfort of home - over here in Southfields. Yes please, I would love to see a montage of your trip to sunny Seville. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

Hi John, Im a long time subscriber but this is my first comment. I really enjoy your videos and tend to watch em all, as I used to live in Leytonstone and then in Highams Park, so besides your quality, also brings me good memories. Btw I noticed you mentioned that you visited Seville a few weeks ago, I´d like to recommend you to visit Asturias, its also in Spain but in the north part, thats where Im from and Im sure you´ll love it, not as hot as Seville tho. Thank you very much for your videos. All the best.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation Marcos

I would love to see what the Forest would look like today had some form of, or all commoner rights been intact. Certainly would be different although perhaps not in more recent times as woodfuel and other products became obsolete

Wonderful watch & listen John, as always. Regards & best wishes passed from Western Scotland.

Seville yes please John 👍

I need to visit Epping Forest again hopefully early next year!

Very magical John , glad you made it it back to the forest this year , love Epping a beautiful place in any season , see you soon ❤️

and with that, i am off the sleep - thanks, jonh, for providing us all with such a lovely video.

Love your visits to the Epping forest John !

Great walk, never been, and probably never will, but glad you did.👍

I grew up. and played around in the forest at high beech!! But you never mentioned the lost pond or Dick Turpins cave, and the pub that only sold scrumpy cider. That was right next to it.😀

@JohnRogersWalks

2 ай бұрын

Hi - both are covered in separate videos. Here’s one on the Lost Pond kzread.info/dash/bejne/dJyn1dyJmqq2mKw.htmlsi=w6DHtWdq6le08nDP And there’s a playlist of over 20 other Epping Forest videos

More about Epping please John, flesh it out make it longer or a series, especially love the story in another of your vids about Anarchist meetings in the forest 🏴🌳

What a relaxing walk thank you! I love how your strolls are full of insight of the place you' re visiting. Thanks a lot!

@luapnosboh7421

6 ай бұрын

That's the point he does it 😊

Beautiful landscape. Where I am in the US we have not yet had a freeze, which is atypical, so the cracks on the stream bring back nice memories.

Thank for that video, John!

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

My pleasure Michael

Nice one John. Fond memories of cold Decembers in Leytonstone NE London. Yes, please post a montage of your time in Seville.

I so loved this walk. Thanks John.

Seville sounds great. Let’s see it.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Fantastic

Great video John, my great uncle Rodney Gipsy Smith has a memorial stone there in Mill planes, however just a word of caution ( sorry) my experience , and that of my three daughters, please be aware of your food sponsors as they may be just a clever supplier that doesn't deliver what is wanted but what they think you would want and may even hang the phone up if a customer complains. So sorry, keep up the good work.

What a wonderful natural area, with so much history. Thanks for the beautiful winter views.

The perfect winter sunday evening watch. Thank you, John for bringing peace to my new week🎉

Yes definitely show us the sunny streets of Seville John,I am hoping to get there next spring so a preview would be great.Triffic stuff as ever keep them coming.

I remember the 2nd, and it certainly WAS cold. Wonderfully filmed and presented as ever! I for one would certainly be interested in seeing your Seville footage. Nice one John! ⭐👍

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

thanks William

What a great walk - so interesting and informative. It's sparked an interest to go and check the forest out myself. Thankyou! Oh, and that's a big 'YES PLEASE' for the Seville montage...

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

brilliant - thanks Jack

Another lovely walk. Seville yes please!

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

thanks Robert - working on the Seville edit right now

Lovely Epping Forest video. Seville highlights would be great!

Great video John, was just thinking maybe you should do a montage video of all the best bits of your walks over the year 😊

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Rossy - absolutely, planning that for NYE or New Years Day

Much enjoyed - thank you (and I would love to see a video of Seville 😊).

Resonation @25:16 Tomorrow Oliver (youngest child) and I are going to walk from Bramber Castle to the Adur, maybe down to Botolphs and Combs. He's bringing his new top of the range drone obviously, and I shall bring Sil the Dog.....Sevilla? YES. Of course, always.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 ай бұрын

Sounds like a great day Tracy

Thank you.

Thanks Respected Sir to create a good and informative video,💝 ,all facts which you told us ,I never saw a good story teller who share so much knowledge ❤,our Sunday becomes special because of your video 😊Haunting house of queen was a best story and the Corn facts was a deep detail Epping forest must be known as a great forest of England 🇬🇧 Great Great London 👍 I just love it thanks to share us this film ❤thanks a lot 🙏

Thank you very much John. A beautiful forest so close to London, what a treat! Your enthusiasm and inner joy on these walks is delightfully contagious. I can imagine that an evening walk on a full moon would be very interesting in this location? Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays and thanks once again for an enchanting walk.

Dick Turpin worked in long Sutton my town for a butcherer named Palmers. Street named swap coat where it is said tried to escape when he was recognised by a visitor and tried to SWAP a COAT with a local

Another superb video John. Was nice to revisit Epping which I have not revisited since my Loughton days in 82. Cheers John 🍺🎅👍