Sandwiched between the Lee Navigation and the A12 is a densely wooded triangle of land, the Wick Woodland…
When seeing the Wick Woodland for the first time, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is some ancient fragment of Epping Forest to the north, but the history of this spot is rather more complex than that. Despite having the appearance of a very mature wood, much of Wick Woodland is only about 12 years old. Up until the 1990s it was known as Wick Field, an open area of marshland edged by trees which back in the 1940s had seen frenzied activity as it was laced with trenches, bunkers and gun emplacements to defend against the potential invasion of London by Nazi Germany (there are tank traps along the Greenway in Stratford which served a similar purpose). After the war it was put to use as playing fields but in the early 1990s it came under the gaze of property developers who saw an opportunity to turn a profit. Fortunately the community prevailed, and discussions started which resulted in the establishment of the Wick Community Woodland in 1996. A burst water main interrupted work on the site in 1997 when it caused extensive flooding, but by the year 2000 the plantings were completed. It now contains 30,000+ trees which are mostly made up poplar and ash with mature plane trees along two of its edges. Despite the traffic on the nearby A12 it is a surprisingly tranquil place – ideal for dog walking, bike riding or just a gentle stroll.
At the moment, access to Wick Woodland is quite complicated because in their infinite wisdom the authorities have sealed off all of the canal towpaths that are close to sensitive buildings associated with London 2012 – in this case the huge International Broadcast Centre which now lies dormant following the end of the Olympic Games. Until the canal network around the Olympic Park reopens in late September the best way to visit this remarkable little parcel of land is to approach it along Homerton Road (the B112). This link to Google Maps shows you exactly where Wick Woodland is if you feel like a bit of exploration.