Woodland at Loughton
Ruins in lake, Wanstead Park
Woodland at Loughton
Ruins in lake, Wanstead Park
Epping Forest is the name given to an area of woodland, in many parcels, extending northeast from Wanstead, through Walthamstow, Woodford, Chingford, and Loughton, into Epping.
It is well known as one of the capital's surviving areas of primary forest. It is now a a collection of distinct open spaces in northeast London, the majority of them wooded. Most of it is available for public recreation.The forest stretches over about 18 km north-east from east London, into Essex. It covers an area of about 24 sq. km (2,400 hectares or about 6000 acres). Roads and built-up areas carve into it in many places. A large part of it occupies the high ground between the Lea and Roding Valleys, though the southern sections, in Wanstead, are in the Roding Valley.
Much of it was part of old hunting or royal forests. However, it also contains areas of grassland and heath, bogs, several streams, part of the course of the River Roding, and many lakes and ponds. Many of the wooded areas show the effects of the old use as a source for pollard and coppice trees. Grazing still takes place in some areas, and is encouraged by the park's management. Some commoner's rights are still exercised.In the southern part, for instance in Snaresbrook and Wanstead, the forest includes many more 'made' landscapes. Non native trees are common, especially along the roadside margins of the forest here; for instance the plane trees lining the road in Wanstead Flats. By contrast, the north of the forest tends to be much more natural.
The southern part of Epping Forest also includes Wanstead Park. This used to be the estate of a large mansion and the grounds had been originally landscaped as formal gardens at considerable expense. The mansion was demolished in the 19th century, and most visible remains of the planting have now gone. However, some exotic trees remain; for instance, numbers of walnut and plane lining the lake. Also surviving from the old landscape, there are a few buildings and derelict structures, the lakes, and a few mature trees that may be from the old planting. It continues to be an attractive and scenic walk, and is bordered on the east by the River Roding.There are several significant monuments within Epping Forest, including Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge in Chingford, Warren House in Loughton, and Wanstead Temple in Wanstead Park.
The through traffic in the forest includes some high speed roads, and this makes it necessary to fence in and contain some of the forest's deer.Epping Forest is now mostly used for informal and country park usage. It has traditionally been a place for the people of East London to visit on a Sunday. Parts of it, such as Wanstead Flats, have other uses such as football and other sports. Fairs are held periodically at Chingford and Wanstead. Wildlife conservation is an important modern function of the forest.
A number of walking routes through the forest and into neighbouring areas have been arranged and signposted. Leaflets on these are available from the information centre.Epping Forest also includes areas that are used for football and other formal sports, mostly in Wanstead Flats, in the southern part of the forest.
Like much common land, the forest was non-agricultural common land, and hence escaped enclosure. It came under pressure however from development during the expansion of London in the 19th century. Numerous objections and campaigns were raised to the gradual encroachment and occupation of it, and in 1878, the Epping Forest Act made the Corporation of London responsible for its management. Although it was thus finally saved from developers, it was not before many of the modern urban areas that carve into it had been developed, and main roads built through it.
There is an information centre at High Beach. Many events are held in the Forest, including walks, as well as exhibitions, and theatre, craft and heritage activities.
Epping Forest is managed by the City of London. Contact the Visitor Centre on 020 8508 0028 and the Superintendent's office on 020 8532 1010.