High Beach is in the uplands of Essex, which reach heights of above sea level on the western fringes of Epping Forest. Areas of the surrounding forest are also named High Beach or High Beech. However, individual smallholdings of land are given over to residential, agriculture and mixed uses, particularly beside the straight A-road which bisects it. Many of the forest paths are naturally gravel-lined with underlying deposits of Bagshot Sands. It is believed that the name High Beach came from an early description of the localised sand and gravel exposure in this part of the forest. Holy Innocents church is surrounded by forest. It was built in 1873 by Thomas Baring, replacing an earlier church which was located in Church Road around 1 mile away from the present church's location, and was designed by the architect Arthur Blomfield in the Early English style at the cost of £5,500. The tower and spire contains 13 hemispherical bells cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. In July 1837, poet John Clare's deteriorating mental disorder caused him to be admitted to the High Beach private asylum under the guidance of the enlightened Dr Matthew Allen. The poet, after suffering from depression, was invited as a guest to Allen's asylum. Clare spent four years at the asylum before escaping in July 1841. Alfred, Lord Tennyson lived at Beech Hill House from 1837 to 1840. During his short stay he may well have encountered Clare and other inmates. Tennyson was reported by a journalist as being "...delighted with the mad people...the most agreeable and the most reasonable persons he has met with." Amenities include the church, primary school, horse riding school and three pubs: the "Duke of Wellington", "The Kings Oak" and "The Owl". Owned and managed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest, the Suntrap Forest Education Centre and The Field Studies Council Epping Forest Field Centre offers field studies and other activities to schools and other groups. Epping Forest Visitors Centre in Nursery Road is one of three visitor centres in the forest that provide learning, tours, exhibits and recreational facilities. In February 1928, an oval cinder circuit to the rear of the "Kings Oak" public house was the venue for Britain's first motorcycle speedway meeting. Courses and appropriate tracks for outdoor pursuits include horse riding, mountain biking, orienteering and seasonally there are running events. The Epping Forest Centenary walking route passes through the locality.