Buffalo Statue

The Buffalo Statue stands as an odd and rather wonderful remnant of Victorian eccentricity on the edge of Chingford. It's a life-sized bronze buffalo, erected to commemorate a long-forgotten local character or event - the exact history gets a bit murky, which is half the charm. You'll find it in a fairly unremarkable spot, so there's an element of surprise when you stumble upon it.

What you get here is straightforward: a statue to photograph and a moment of curiosity. It's not a major time commitment - five minutes maximum - but it's the sort of thing that sticks with you. Why a buffalo? What does it mean? Nobody seems entirely sure, and that's rather refreshing. History buffs will find themselves intrigued by the mystery; kids might find it funny or slightly strange, which amounts to the same thing.

The statue works brilliantly as a pit stop if you're basing yourself at Lee Valley Campsite or Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park nearby in Edmonton. It's close enough for a quick detour without derailing your day. Don't plan your entire trip around it, but if you're in Chingford exploring Theobalds Park or one of the other green spaces hereabouts, this is worth a ten-minute diversion. Admission is free, naturally. Go at any time - it's outdoors and permanently on display.