Start at the western end of the main Lord Mayors Drive car park, near the Beeches Cafe and information point. This woodland circuit combines the reserve's old pollarded trees, ponds and named woodland drives. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes, including pauses by the ponds and ancient trees.
Walk west along Lord Mayors Drive past Upper Pond towards Druid's Oak, then take the path beside the Iron Age fort to Victoria Drive. Follow Victoria Drive uphill to Halse Drive, then turn through Woods Drive and Dimsdale Drive. Morton Drive and McAuliffe Drive lead past the wooded banks of Hartley Court Moat. Turn onto Burnham Walk, return via Halse Drive and Victory Cross, and follow the established paths by Upper and Middle Ponds before rejoining Lord Mayors Drive to the start. Keep to the paths around the moat and old trees.
Expect woodland tracks, surfaced drives, rolling slopes, exposed roots and mud after rain. Walking boots are sensible. Use the gates rather than cattle grids, close gates behind you and give grazing cattle and ponies plenty of room. Keep dogs under effective control and follow the signed lead and exclusion zones. Cyclists and horses use the tarmac drives, and authorised vehicles can occasionally be present.
The main car park opens from 8am and closes at dusk; check the entrance sign and return before it locks. Parking is paid and cashless. The cafe, toilets and information point normally open from 10am until around 5pm, with seasonal variations. Choose daylight and avoid high winds: the reserve can close in adverse weather.
Route and access checked against the City of London Corporation's Burnham Beeches map, Historical Trail and current visitor information on 3 October 2026. Check its visitor page and signs for changes before travelling: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/burnham-beeches-and-stoke-common/visit-burnham-beeches