Epping Forest

Epping Forest is a large, ancient woodland in southern England, straddling London and Essex. It is home to 85% of the UK's veteran beech pollards and a variety of reptile, bat and fungi species.

A network of cycle and footpaths criss-cross the forest between Epping in the north and Wanstead at its southern end, with views across London and the Lee Valley near Chingford and High Beach. The forest is open to the public and free to access.

Epping Forest also lends its name to a local government district in Essex.

Principal towns and neighbourhoods

• 1 Epping is the market town after which the forest takes its name
• 2 Waltham Abbey , the final resting place of King Harold II
• 3 Loughton has a selection of supermarkets, pubs and restaurants on the forest's edge
• 4 Chingford on the hill with small shopping parades, a gateway to the forest
• 5 Woodford and Woodford Green where urban Greater London meets the Essex countryside
• 6 Walthamstow is predominantly residential but has thriving pubs, arts and theatre, and public spaces, including parks
• 7 Leytonstone features a convenient high street
• 8 Wanstead is home to Wanstead Flats, a large public grassland which is part of Epping Forest

Understand

Epping Forest is an ancient woodland. According to the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, the woodland became a royal forest in the early 12th century under Henry I. A hunting lodge was built in 1543 for Henry VIII at Chingford, in the forest, before it was renovated by order of Queen Elizabeth I.

Today, the woodland is protected under the Epping Forest Act 1878.

An Act for the Disafforestation of Epping Forest and the preservation and management of the uninclosed parts thereof as an Open Space for recreation and enjoyment of the public; and for other purposes.

It is managed by the City of London Corporation and has enhanced protection as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with internationally important habitats.

The overall forest comprises several woods and grasslands throughout Essex and London. These include The Lower Forest north of Epping, Epping Thicks south of the town, High Beach, Chingford Plain, Walthamstow Forest, Leyton Flats and Wanstead Flats, among others. They are set on a hill between the rivers Lee (to the west) and Roding (to the east).

Epping Forest lends its name to a local government district in Essex, which comprises Epping, Loughton and Waltham Abbey, as well as Chipping Ongar and Sheering beyond the woodland's edge.

Get in

By plane

London Stansted Airport (STN ^IATA) is around 15 mi (24 km) north of Epping, with flights from domestic and international destinations, particularly destinations throughout Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The links Stansted Airport with destinations in Epping Forest. Stansted Express trains link the terminal with Tottenham Hale and London Liverpool Street in London, where you can pick up London Underground services to destinations near Epping Forest.

London City Airport (LCY ^IATA) is a small international airport around 7 mi (11 km) south of Wanstead with flights from European cities. The links City Airport with destinations throughout Epping Forest. The  DLR  connects the terminal with Stratford, for onward London Underground services to destinations near Epping Forest.

By train

Oyster and Contactless cards are valid for travel at all stations in the area.

Several London Underground lines serve Epping Forest:

 CEN  from destinations in west and central London, including Oxford Circus, Bank, Liverpool Street and Stratford to:

• 1 Epping for Epping town, the Lower Forest and Amesbury Banks
• 2 Theydon Bois for Amesbury Banks, Jack's Hill and the deer sanctuary
• 3 Debden which is a short walk from Epping Forest Shopping Park, a large retail park on the edge of Loughton
• 4 Loughton for Loughton town, Staple's Hill and High Beach (a 2 mi (3.2 km) uphill walk)
• 5 Buckhurst Hill for Lord's Bushes and Knighton Wood
• 6 Roding Valley (Hainault - Woodford shuttle) for Lord's Bushes and Knighton Wood
• 7 Woodford for Woodford Green
• 8 Snaresbrook for Leyton Flats
• 9 Leytonstone for Bush Wood
• 10 Wanstead (for Wanstead, use trains for Hainault) for Wanstead Park

 VIC  from destinations in south, central and north London, including Victoria, Oxford Circus, King's Cross St Pancras and Tottenham Hale to:

• 11 Walthamstow Central, which is less than 2 mi (3.2 km) from Leyton Flats

Walkers, cyclists and visitors can get into the forest using National Rail lines:

Greater Anglia from London Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale, Cheshunt, Harlow Town, Bishop's Stortford and Hertford to:

• 12 Waltham Cross , which is around 1 mi (1.6 km) from Waltham Abbey

London Overground  WEA  from London Liverpool Street and Hackney Downs to:

• 13 Chingford for Pole Hill with views over North London, Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge and a walk to High Beach (approximately 2.5 mi (4.0 km))
• 14 Highams Park for Highams Park Lake
• 15 Wood Street for Leyton Flats
• 16 Walthamstow Central for Walthamstow

London Overground  SUF  from Gospel Oak (near Hampstead Heath), Upper Holloway (near Archway), Harringay Green Lanes and Barking to:

• 17 Walthamstow Queen's Road for Walthamstow
• 18 Leyton Midland Road , which is less than 2 mi (3.2 km) from Leyton Flats
• 19 Leytonstone High Road for Bush Wood
• 20 Wanstead Park for Wanstead Flats

Elizabeth Line  ELI  from Berkshire, Heathrow Airport, Paddington, Westminster, the City, Stratford, Romford and Brentwood to:

• 21 Manor Park for Wanstead Flats

By bus

In Essex, you can get to parts of Epping Forest from Harlow (routes 20, 21, 31), North Weald (18, 20) and Ongar (20).

Several London Bus routes connect parts of the capital with Epping Forest. Major routes include 56 (from St Paul's Cathedral, Barbican and Hackney) and 257 (from Stratford).

By car

The City of London Corporation owns and runs several car parks throughout Epping Forest, which are signposted from main routes. Car parking charges apply.

The motorway links The Midlands (via ), Cambridge, Bishop's Stortford and Stansted Airport with Epping Forest. Exit at:

• for Epping, the Lower Forest and Jack's Hill via B1393
• for Debden, Loughton and High Beach via
• to continue on to destinations in East London including Walthamstow and Wanstead Flats

The London Orbital motorway crosses the forest through the Bell Common Tunnel. Exit at for into Waltham Abbey, Jack's Hill, Epping (via B1393) and Loughton, or for . The route is a direct connection from destinations around London's edge, including Heathrow Airport, Watford, St Albans and Dartford.

Other routes into Epping Forest include:

• from Greenwich (via Blackwall Tunnel), Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester into Wanstead and Leyton
• from Dalston and Islington - a central spine through Epping Forest
• from Enfield into Chingford and Woodford Green
• from Chipping Ongar into Debden, Woodford and Snaresbrook
• from Waltham Cross and to Jack's Hill, Loughton and Woodford Green
• North Circular to Walthamstow, Woodford and Wanstead - a direct connection from Wembley, Brent Cross, Edmonton, Ilford and Barking

By bike

National Cycle Network runs along the western edge of Epping Forest, through the Lee Valley. The route ultimately connects Dover in Kent with Tain in the Scottish Highlands, with the woodland between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Stratford) and Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire.

Routes within London include:

• Cycleway 2 from The City and Whitechapel to Stratford, then C to Wanstead Flats
• Cycleway 16 from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to Fairlop Waters Country Park, through Wanstead Flats
• Cycleway 24 from Tottenham Hale to Walthamstow
• Cycleway 26 from Hackney Marshes to Walthamstow
• Cycleway 61 from Walthamstow to Chingford

Other routes which feature cycle lanes include A104 High Road through Woodford Green and A110 Kings Head Hill in Chingford (steep).

Fees and permits

Epping Forest is free to visit but some areas may be closed for conservation reasons, sometimes on a seasonal basis.

The City of London Corporation charges for car parking. Prices vary.

Camping

Camping in Epping Forest requires permission from the Superintendent (City of London Corporation).

Horse riding

You must have a valid horse-riding licence to ride in Epping Forest, and must hold a licence disc before your trip. Daily licences are in excess of £6. Riders can use shared-use routes throughout the woodland. Some areas where riding is prohibited are marked with signs.

Coaching and personal training

Coaching and personal training in Epping Forest requires a licence, with different non-profit and commercial fees.

See

Viewpoints

Epping Forest rises from the Lee and Roding valleys, on a hill, which offers views across London and the Lee Valley:

• 1 High Beach (A steep walk of 2 mi (3.2 km) from  CEN  Loughton tube station, or a short drive west of Epping Forest Roundabout/Robin Hood). Wooded hills more than 100m above sea level slope downwards from High Beach towards the River Lee, with views across the Lee Valley into Hertfordshire. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 Pole Hill (Short, sloping walk from  WEA  Chingford railway station). Once home to T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), Pole Hill rises 91 metres above low-lying London. Spot City skyscrapers from more than 10 mi (16 km) away. (updated Sep 2024)
• 3 Yardley Hill (Short, sloping walk from  WEA  Chingford railway station). Viewpoint with a panorama of North London, from the Lee Valley reservoirs to city high rises. (updated Sep 2024)

Points of interest

• 4 Ambresbury Banks (South of Epping, via shared-use path from Bell Common). Legend has it, Amesbury Banks was the site of Boudica's last stand against the Romans in 61 AD, but there is no evidence to support this, according to local historians. Earthworks thought to have been built around 500 BC are signposted from the main path. (updated Sep 2024)
• 5 Deer Sanctuary (South-west of Theydon Bois). Deer roam protected from harm in the sanctuary near Theydon Bois, with footpaths around the perimeter. (updated Sep 2024)

Do

• 1 Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, 6 Ranger's Road, E4 7QH. A museum of Tudor history at Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, built in 1543 for King Henry VIII and renovated by order of Queen Elizabeth I. The lodge's top floor has a forest view, and the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at Chingford features a gift shop, exhibitions and a year-round events calendar. (updated Sep 2024)

Eat

• 1 Oyster Shack & Seafood Bar, High Beach, IG10 4AE. A much-loved stop-off in High Beach, with views across the Lea Valley. Oysters are native to the Essex coast and a local delicacy. (updated Sep 2024)

Drink

• 1 Forest Gate, 111 Bell Common, CM16 4DZ (on the edge of the forest), ☏ +44 1992 572312, forestgateinn@outlook.com. A popular, traditional English pub. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 King's Oak Hotel, High Beach, IG10 4AE (on the hill at High Beach), ☏ +44 208 508 5000, info@kingsoakhotel.com. A popular spot with visitors, featuring a large bar and large pub garden. It also hosts events. (updated Sep 2024)

Stay safe

Fire

Fires - started intentionally or by accident - are prohibited without the written consent of the authorities.

The doing or attempting to do any of the following acts in the Forest is prohibited and shall be deemed to be an offence against the Epping Forest Act 1878: ... (6) Making or starting in the Forest any bonfire or other fire of any substance, whether growing or not, and whether intentionally or by negligence without the previous written consent of the Conservators.

Forest fires are a risk, particularly in dry weather. Cigarette ash and stubs and litter, including foil packaging and dropped glass, can increase fire risks.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the London Fire Brigade attend incidents in Epping Forest.

Dial ☏ 999 in an emergency.

Health

Epping Forest is close to urban centres, which are no more than a couple of minutes by road. Dial ☏ 111 for non-urgent health advice from the NHS, or ☏ 999 in a life-threatening emergency.

East of England Ambulance Service and London Ambulance Service attend emergency incidents throughout Epping Forest.

For serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, the closest Accident and Emergency departments (walk-in, open all hours) are at (north-south):

• Princess Alexandra Hospital Harlow, Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX
• North Middlesex University Hospital, Sterling Way, London, N18 1QX
• Whipps Cross Hospital, Whipps Cross Road, London, E11 1NR
• Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, Homerton Row, London, Greater London, E9 6SR
• Newham University Hospital, Glen Road, Plaistow, London, E13 8SL

Police and crime

Epping Forest Keepers (Epping Forest Constables) enforce the Epping Forest Act 1878 and the forest byelaws.

Essex Police act upon criminal matters outside of the Epping Forest Act and byelaws within Essex, while the Metropolitan Police has powers within Greater London.

Dial ☏ 101 for non-emergency enquiries and to report incidents which have happened previously.

Dial ☏ 999 in an emergency, for example, a crime or incident in progress.

High winds

Falling trees in high winds can cause serious injury or death. Risks are heightened when high winds are accompanied by heavy rainfall, and when trees are in leaf.

Local authorities

Epping Forest is covered by several local authorities, which may overlap:

• City of London Corporation - the City of London Corporation are the Conservators of Epping Forest, its management and its car parks.
• Epping Forest District Council - across Buckhurst Hill, Debden, Epping, Loughton and Waltham Abbey. Responsible for a range of local issues including refuse collection, environmental health including food hygiene, town centre car parks, and fly-tipping offences on public land.
• Essex County Council - across Buckhurst Hill, Debden, Epping, Loughton and Waltham Abbey. Responsible for county-wide issues including highways and public transport.
• Greater London Authority - south of Buckhurst Hill. Responsible for strategic issues in the London region, including emergency planning.
• Transport for London - responsible for London Underground, London Bus services and major A-roads in London, including A12 and A406.
• Waltham Forest Council - across the London Borough of Waltham Forest including Chingford and Walthamstow. Responsible for a range of issues, including local roads, parking restrictions, refuse collection, environmental health including food hygiene, and fly-tipping offences on public land.
• Redbridge Council - across the London Borough of Redbridge including Woodford and Wanstead. Responsible for a range of issues, including local roads, parking restrictions, refuse collection, environmental health including food hygiene, and fly-tipping offences on public land.
• Newham Council - south of Wanstead. Responsible for a range of issues, including local roads, parking restrictions, refuse collection, environmental health including food hygiene, and fly-tipping offences on public land.

Go next

• Central London, at the heart of the capital city, with its museums, art galleries, theatres, shopping and nightlife.
• Hackney is a fashionable neighbourhood in north-east London which comes alive in the evenings - at bars and restaurants - and on weekends for fashionable shopping.
• Cambridge with its cute streets, famous university and winding River Cam (for punting).
• Saffron Walden - a historic market town in north-west Essex with streets lined with independent boutiques and food shops, local pubs and the nearby Audley End mansion.
• St Albans is Hertfordshire's cathedral city with a thriving pub and restaurant scene, often with a packed calendar of live events.
• Thetford Forest in Norfolk is a two-hour drive from Epping Forest, with activity centres, walks and rides among the trees.

Routes through Epping Forest

Cambridge ← Stansted Airport ←	N  S	→
Heathrow Airport ← St Albans ←	W  E	→ Brentwood → Dartford
Greenwich ← Stratford ←	SW  NE	→ Chelmsford → Ipswich
Brent Cross ← Edmonton ←	W  S	→ Ilford → Barking

Routes through Epping Forest

West London ← Central London and The City ←	W  E	→ ENDS at Epping
Brixton, Victoria and Central London ← Tottenham Hale ←	SW  NE	→ ENDS at Walthamstow Central
ENDS at Chingford ←	N  S	→ Hackney Downs → London Liverpool Street
Gospel Oak ← Harringay Green Lanes ←	W  S	→ Barking and Barking Riverside
London Liverpool Street ← Stratford ←	W  E	→ Romford → Shenfield
Bishop's Stortford ← Cheshunt ←	N  S	→ London Liverpool Street → Tottenham Hale