 As a child , Morris was kept largely housebound at Elm House by his mother ; there , he spent much time reading , favouring the novels of Walter Scott . Aged 6 , Morris moved with his family to the Georgian Italianate mansion at Woodford Hall , Woodford , Essex , which was surrounded by 50 acres of land adjacent to Epping Forest . He took an interest in fishing with his brothers as well as gardening in the Hall 's grounds , and spent much time exploring the Forest , where he was fascinated both by the Iron Age earthworks at Loughton Camp and Ambresbury Banks and by the Early Modern Hunting Lodge at Chingford . He also took rides through the Essex countryside on his pony , and visited the various churches and cathedrals throughout the country , marveling at their architecture . His father took him on visits outside of the county , for instance to Canterbury Cathedral , the Chiswick Horticultural Gardens , and to the Isle of Wight , where he adored Blackgang Chine . Aged 9 , he was then sent to Misses Arundale 's Academy for Young Gentlemen , a nearby preparatory school ; although initially riding there by pony each day , he later began boarding , intensely disliking the experience . 
