Member-only story

A Day Trip to Ongar on the Central Line in 1993

Jeffery Bell

·7.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Central Line A Day Trip To Ongar 1993

6 min read

104 View Claps

7 Respond

Save

Listen

In the summer of 1993, I embarked on a day trip to Ongar, a small town in Essex, England. I had always been fascinated by the Central Line, one of London's oldest and most iconic underground lines. The line stretched all the way from Epping in the east to West Ruislip in the west, and I was eager to explore its far reaches.

I set off from my home in central London early on a Saturday morning. The train was packed with people heading out of the city for the day. I found a seat next to a window and enjoyed the views as we sped through the suburbs. The train passed through some of the most affluent areas of London, including Hampstead, Highgate, and Woodford. I couldn't help but notice the contrast between the grand houses and manicured gardens of these neighborhoods and the more modest homes and streets of the inner city.

Central Line - A Day Trip to Ongar 1993

by Ann Richards

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13933 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	21 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

After about an hour, the train reached Epping, the eastern terminus of the Central Line. I got off the train and stretched my legs on the platform. I was surprised to see that Epping station was much smaller and less crowded than I had expected. I had always imagined it as a major transport hub, but it was actually quite a sleepy little station.

I decided to take a short walk around Epping before continuing my journey to Ongar. The town was small and quiet, with a few shops and restaurants. I stopped for a coffee in a cafe and chatted with the friendly locals. I got the impression that Epping was a close-knit community, and I could imagine myself living there one day.

After my coffee, I headed back to the station and boarded the next train to Ongar. The train was much less crowded than the one I had taken from London, and I was able to get a seat by the window. The journey to Ongar took about 20 minutes, and I spent the time admiring the scenery. The train passed through some beautiful countryside, with rolling hills, fields of wildflowers, and grazing sheep.

I arrived in Ongar just before noon. The station was even smaller than Epping station, and there was no sign of any other passengers. I stepped off the train and took a deep breath of the fresh air. I could hear the birds singing and the wind rustling through the trees. I felt a sense of peace and tranquility that I had never experienced before.

I decided to walk around Ongar and explore the town. Iすぐにnoticed the beautiful architecture of the buildings. Many of the houses were built in the Tudor style, with half-timbered facades and thatched roofs. I also saw a number of Georgian and Victorian buildings, as well as a few more modern buildings.

I came to a small square in the center of the town. There was a market cross in the center of the square, and a number of shops and restaurants lined the sides. I stopped for lunch at a pub called the White Hart. The pub was cozy and inviting, with a roaring fire in the grate. I ordered a pint of local ale and a ploughman's lunch. The food was delicious, and the ale was refreshing.

After lunch, I continued my exploration of Ongar. I visited the Ongar Museum, which tells the story of the town's history. I also visited the Ongar Castle, which was built in the 12th century. The castle is now in ruins, but it is still an impressive sight.

I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Ongar. I walked through the town's narrow streets and alleys, and I visited some of the local churches. I also stopped by the Ongar Lido, a large outdoor swimming pool. The lido was closed for the season, but I could imagine how popular it would be on a hot summer day.

As the sun began to set, I made my way back to the station. I caught the last train back to London, and I arrived home just after 9pm. I was tired, but I was also filled with a sense of contentment. I had had a wonderful day trip to Ongar, and I was already planning my next visit.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my day trip to Ongar. If you are ever in London, I encourage you to take a day trip to this charming town. You won't be disappointed.