MANOR PARK

This tranquil image from 1916 captures a summer’s day at Wanstead Flats, on the edge of Manor Park, where city dwellers sought refuge from the harsh realities of wartime London.

Children play barefoot in the water’s edge while others stroll along the sandy bank under the cooling shade of the trees. The relaxed atmosphere, with families and groups enjoying nature together, reflects the vital role of London’s green spaces during the First World War—places of recreation, resilience, and community amid uncertainty.

Wanstead Flats, part of Epping Forest, remains a cherished expanse of public land. This photo reminds us how its peaceful waters have refreshed generations, both physically and emotionally.

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