Woodford

Woodford station is the junction point where the Central line branches - trains alternate between the route heading north to Buckhurst Hill, Loughton and Epping, and the loop heading east through Roding Valley and Chigwell to Hainault. It is a straightforward suburban station with a station car park and good access to Epping Forest, but the branching of the line means passengers need to pay attention to their train's destination board. Woodford's constituency history is also notable - Winston Churchill represented the Woodford area in Parliament for forty years until 1964.

The station first opened in 1856. The surrounding area of Woodford Green is a prosperous suburban settlement with good independent shops, restaurants and a large village green that gives the neighbourhood a distinctly countryside feel despite its Zone 4 location.

Station Overview

Woodford station opened in 1856. It sits in Zone 4 and is served by the Central line. The line splits at Woodford into the Epping branch (north-east) and the Hainault loop (via Roding Valley). The station has a car park. There is no step-free access.

Lines and Connectivity

The Central line (red) splits at Woodford. Trains on the Epping branch continue north to Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Debden, Theydon Bois and Epping. Trains on the Hainault loop head east through Roding Valley, Chigwell, Grange Hill, Hainault, Fairlop and Barkingside before rejoining the main line at Newbury Park. Southbound, all trains converge towards South Woodford, Snaresbrook and central London.

Facilities

Woodford station has free TfL Wi-Fi, a station car park and ticket machines. The surrounding area has local shops and restaurants in Woodford Green, about ten minutes walk from the station.

Accessibility

Woodford does not have step-free access. There are stairs between street level and the platforms. South Woodford (one stop south) and Stratford (further south) are the nearest stations with step-free access.

Travel Tips

• Always check the train destination at Woodford - trains alternate between the Epping and Hainault loop directions. If you board the wrong branch, the diversion adds considerable journey time.
• The station car park makes Woodford a practical park-and-ride for Central line commuters from Essex.
• Epping Forest is within easy reach by bus or on foot - good woodland walks start from the Woodford Wells area.
• Woodford Green's large green, with its Churchill statue, is about fifteen minutes walk and worth visiting if you have time.
• Roding Valley (one stop on the Hainault loop) is the entry point to the Roding Valley Meadows nature reserve.

Nearby Attractions

Woodford Green - fifteen minutes walk. A large open green with a Churchill statue, surrounded by good independent restaurants and shops.

Epping Forest - accessible from the surrounding streets. Woodland walking from the Woodford Wells area is particularly good.

Roding Valley Meadows - one stop east on the Hainault loop. A nature reserve along the River Roding with good birdwatching.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Central line services at Woodford run from approximately 05:30 to midnight Monday to Saturday and 07:00 to 23:30 on Sundays. Night Tube operates on the Central line on Friday and Saturday nights. The Hainault loop does not run 24 hours on Night Tube - only the Epping branch has overnight service.