Jack's Hill

Hill, Mountain in Essex Epping Forest

England

Jack's Hill

Bridge over the M25 near Upshire Officially named the London Orbital and frequently derided as nothing more than a very big car park, the M25 is a 117-mile orbital motorway that encircles London; one of the world&#039;s biggest ring roads (Europe&#039;s second longest orbital road after the Berliner Ring, which is 122 miles). It is not, however, a continuous loop of motorway as the Dartford Crossing section (comprising the Dartford Tunnels and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge) over the Thames and its approach roads are designated as the A282.

Constructed between 1975 and 1986, the M25 is reputedly the most expensive motorway Britain ever built, costing a total of £909m or roughly £7.5m per mile, but at the time of its planning, the demand for the road was considerably underestimated so that when it was finally completed in 1986, it was already out of date. Demand outstripped capacity within a few years and ever since then it&#039;s been very heavily congested.

The M25 is one of the UK’s busiest motorways, carrying up to 200,000 vehicles and 10,000 HGVs per day (AADT - Annual Average Daily Traffic flow) on the section near to Heathrow Airport. Since its opening in the 1980s, the southern, western and eastern sections have been widened to largely dual four lane (D4M) standard, but much of the motorway retains its dual three lane road (D3M) cross-section as originally built.

The M25 was home to England&#039;s first Variable Speed Limits on motorways between the A3 and M4 in the early 1990s.

<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/m25/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/m25/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> cbrd
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=M25" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=M25">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> SABRE — Bridge over the M25 near Upshire Credit: David Dixon

Jack's Hill is a small hill located in the county of Essex, England. Situated near the town of Great Dunmow, it stands at an elevation of approximately 100 meters above sea level, making it a prominent feature in the otherwise flat landscape of the region.

The hill derives its name from a local legend that tells the story of a man named Jack who once lived on its slopes. According to the tale, Jack was a hermit who spent his days tending to a small farm and seeking solace in the tranquility of the hill. While the accuracy of this story is uncertain, it has become a part of the local folklore and adds to the mystique surrounding Jack's Hill.

From the summit of the hill, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, one can see for miles, with fields, woodlands, and small villages stretching out before them. The peaceful atmosphere and untouched natural beauty of Jack's Hill make it a popular spot for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers.

Despite its modest size, Jack's Hill offers a variety of walking trails, catering to both beginners and experienced trekkers. The paths wind through meadows, woods, and open fields, providing ample opportunities to explore the flora and fauna of the area. The hill is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including rabbits, foxes, and various species of birds.

Jack's Hill is a cherished landmark in Essex, drawing locals and tourists alike to its serene and picturesque surroundings. Whether it be for leisurely walks, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the stunning vistas, this small hill offers a tranquil escape from the bustling modern world.

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Jack's Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.674057/0.07290524 or Grid Reference TQ4399. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridge over the M25 near Upshire

Officially named the London Orbital and frequently derided as nothing more than a very big car park, the M25 is a 117-mile orbital motorway that encircles London; one of the world's biggest ring roads (Europe's second longest orbital road after the Berliner Ring, which is 122 miles). It is not, however, a continuous loop of motorway as the Dartford Crossing section (comprising the Dartford Tunnels and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge) over the Thames and its approach roads are designated as the A282. Constructed between 1975 and 1986, the M25 is reputedly the most expensive motorway Britain ever built, costing a total of £909m or roughly £7.5m per mile, but at the time of its planning, the demand for the road was considerably underestimated so that when it was finally completed in 1986, it was already out of date. Demand outstripped capacity within a few years and ever since then it's been very heavily congested. The M25 is one of the UK’s busiest motorways, carrying up to 200,000 vehicles and 10,000 HGVs per day (AADT - Annual Average Daily Traffic flow) on the section near to Heathrow Airport. Since its opening in the 1980s, the southern, western and eastern sections have been widened to largely dual four lane (D4M) standard, but much of the motorway retains its dual three lane road (D3M) cross-section as originally built. The M25 was home to England's first Variable Speed Limits on motorways between the A3 and M4 in the early 1990s. Link

cbrd Link

SABRE

David Dixon

Variable Message Sign on the M25 at Copthall Green

Variable message signs (VMS), also sometimes referred to as matrix signs, are electronic traffic signs used on motorways (and some other major routes) to give drivers information about special events and to warn them about traffic congestion, accidents, incidents, roadworks or speed limits on specific sections of the route. They may also suggest (or instruct) drivers to take alternative routes, limit speed, warn of the duration and location of the incidents or just inform them of the traffic conditions. Drivers carrying freight bound for the cross-channel port of Dover are instructed to use the M20 by this sign.

David Dixon

Emergency Refuge Area on the M25 near Bell Common

“Smart” motorways deploy traffic management methods to increase capacity and reduce congestion in busy areas and at peak times. These methods include using the hard shoulder as a ‘live’ lane and enforcing variable speed limits to control the flow of traffic. Emergency refuge areas (ERAs) are located on smart motorways and designed to offer a ‘safe haven’ for stranded vehicles on busy vehicles. They are positioned up to every 1.5 miles apart, with an emergency telephone available to request assistance. Emergency refuge areas are only to be used in the event of a breakdown or an accident. They are not to be used for a rest stop, to make a phone call or to use the toilet. To increase visibility, each ERA has been designed using a highly visible orange road surface and a large blue sign featuring an orange SOS telephone symbol. Stranded motorists should use the SOS telephone to speak to a representative at Highways England who will provide further instructions.

David Dixon

Beeches on Ambresbury Banks

Ambresbury Banks is an Iron Age hill fort, situated at one of the highest points of Epping forest.

Eleanor Dann

Centenary Walk near Epping Thicks

The Centenary Walk is a broad path, running for many miles through Epping Forest. The photo was taken on the descent from Ambresbury Banks towards Epping. This area has many old beech pollards, coppards and other variations on mature beech. This is an unusual tree; it doesn't look like most old pollards, but I don't know how it came to be this way.

Eleanor Dann

Cottages, Crown Hill, Copthall Green

Cottages, Crown Hill, Copthall Green near Upshire, Essex

Christine Matthews

A Forest Road

The road through Epping Forest to Upshire.

Lynda Poulter

Epping Forest: minor stream

The forest covers an undulating landscape with many minor streams such as this feeding a few larger watercourses.

Stephen Craven

Epping Forest: log pile with fungi

A pile of logs that has been left by the roadside, possibly intentionally, for biodiversity. They had sprouted a fine crop of fungi.

Stephen Craven

Epping Forest: Ambresbury Banks

Another winter view of TL4300 : Beeches on Ambresbury Banks. According to the information board, the Banks are believed to have been built around 500 BCE, and been in use as animal corrals until at least the Roman invasion in 55 BCE. Local legend apparently claims the site as that of the death of the Queen Boudicca, though the story has no historical basis.

Stephen Craven

A track in the forest

Slbs

Rhododendrons in Epping Forest

This part of Epping Forest, known as The Warren, was added to the Forest in 1992, having once formed part of an enclosed hunting ground. It is adjacent to the grounds of Copped Hall, a mansion destroyed by fire in 1917, now in the hands of a trust dedicated to restoration of the hall and outbuildings.

John Leeming

Abandoned Forest Road

This link road was closed to traffic in the 1990s, and is now blocked by banks and both ends. The road is gradually returning to nature.

John Leeming

The Gatehouse of Copped Hall Estate.

Lynda Poulter

The Good Intent..

Lynda Poulter

Wild Roses.

Wild roses growing on the roadside.

Lynda Poulter

Copthall Green: Good Intent

The pub and restaurant is on Crown Hill and has an excellent informative website here Link

Nigel Cox

Ambresbury Banks

Hidden among the beech trees at the northern end of Epping Forest, are earthworks believed to date from around 500BC. They may have been built as animal folds or possibly as a lookout or boundary marker between the territories of rival tribes. What is known for certain is that , despite local legend, this is not where Queen Boudicca was defeated and killed.

Stephen McKay

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Jack's Hill is located at Grid Ref: TQ4399 (Lat: 51.674057, Lng: 0.07290524)

Administrative County: Essex

District: Epping Forest

Police Authority: Essex