Epping Forest

About

Epping Forest is a 2400 hectare ancient woodland stretching some 12 miles from Manor Park in east London to just north of Epping in Essex. The Forest is nationally and internationally important for conservation, with two thirds of it being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

The Forest offers a wonderful range of activities for individuals and families, including walking, dog walking, cycling, horse riding, football, golf, cricket and boating; and runs family-friendly events all year round. Find out what's happening in the Forest by signing up to Forest Focus.

Epping Forest also has four visitor centres which tell the story of Epping Forest and provide visitors with information and advice on how best to explore London’s Great Forest.

The Epping Forest Visitor Centre in Chingford, situated close to Chingford station, is an easy trip on public transport from almost anywhere in London and makes a great starting point for day trips into the Forest. The centre's exhibitions on wildlife and Forest history can help you understand the Forest, and its helpful staff can offer you maps, guide books and more to help you enjoy your visit. You can also take the opportunity to buy a gift or souvenir, including wildlife guides, children's toys, and nature-themed local artwork. 

Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge is just next door and is a perfect example of a Tudor hunt standing, where royals would have held hunts and elaborate feasts in the 16th Century. Here you can learn about Tudor food, culture and architecture and the Forest's part in Tudor history, through the Lodge's elaborate kitchen exhibition, dressing-up clothes and more.

Regular events and art exhibitions take place at both Chingford centres throughout the year. Find out more on the Forest's event page.

The following facilities are available at the Chingford centres:

- Car parking (including dedicated disabled parking)
- Toilets (including disabled toilets, but no disabled changing places)
- ​​​Refreshments at nearby Butler's Retreat
- Wheelchair access throughout at the Chingford Visitor Centre
- Ground floor wheelchair access at Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge
- A printed guide to the non-accessible upper floors of the Hunting Lodge
- Hearing loops

Further north, near the heart of the Forest, the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach offers a huge amount of information on the Forest's wildlife.. The Centre has plenty of nearby parking, but is also just a 30 minute (3.6km / 2 mile) walk from Loughton station on the Central Line. Once there, you can get maps and guide books and step out well-equipped to explore the Forest. On your way back, you can grab gifts and souvenirs from the superb gift shop.

The following facilities are available at the High Beach centre:

- Toilets (including disabled toilets, but not disabled changing places)
- Car parking (including dedicated disabled bays)
- Full wheelchair access throughout
- A nearby easy access trail which provides a wheelchair accessible journey through 1 mile of the Forest
- Refreshments are available at the nearby King's Oak Hotel and at local tea huts.

In the south of the Forest, at Wanstead Park, you can visit The Temple and explore the great story of Wanstead House: a once-great Georgian manor known once called the 'Versailles of England', and the tragic tale of how it came to fall. Other exhibitions explore the ancient Roman history of the Park and archaeological finds from the Villa that once stood here. The centre also holds regular events and exhibitions.

The following facilities are available at the Temple:

- Toilets (including disabled toilets with RADAR key access, but no disabled changing places)
- Dedicated disabled car parking
- Refreshments available at the nearby tea kiosk