Epping between Forest, History and Special Trails

Epping combines the distinctive landscape of Epping Forest with a traditional High Street, historic buildings and unusual places to visit. Because of its connection with Epping Forest, the town is known as the “Town of the Forest”. For families and other travellers who want to combine experiences in nature with culture and local history, Epping therefore offers a range of travel ideas.

Nature experiences around Epping

Epping Forest is a 13-mile-long ancient woodland stretching from Manor Park in east London to Epping in Essex. Since the Epping Forest Act of 1878, it has been preserved as publicly accessible open space. At Epping and Loughton stations, signs and subsequent waymarkers point the way into the forest. Epping railway station is also just a short walk from the edge of the forest.

To the south of the town, Bell Common and Epping Thicks form an area of dense mixed woodland and grassland. The area is 1.8 kilometres from Epping station on the Central line and can be explored on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or with a dog. Epping Long Green adds an ancient green track with far-reaching views extending for many miles to this landscape. It too can be explored on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or with a dog; along the way, visitors can observe deer, dragonflies and skylarks, among other wildlife.

Those planning longer routes will find more than 284 kilometres of paths in Epping Forest, as well as numerous additional trails for walking and running. The Essex Way begins at Epping station and leads as an 81-mile long-distance walking route to Harwich. This allows you to choose between shorter explorations in the forest and an extended hiking route.

Market, Church Architecture and Historical Traces

The town’s market history dates back to the Middle Ages: in 1253, Epping was granted the right to hold a weekly market. Epping Market occupies the entire length of the High Street on Mondays, including public holidays. Listed buildings, most of them dating from the 18th century, stand on both sides of the street. A walk through this part of town therefore combines everyday market activity with historic architecture.

The Church of St John the Baptist is listed as a Grade II* building and was built in 1889–91 by Bodley and Garner. It is an important landmark in Epping. Another historical trace is Purlieu Bank in Epping Lower Forest. There, it survives as a path, ditch and earthwork topped by a hedge, and forms part of a medieval forest boundary.

Hill Hall also turns attention to the English Renaissance. The building is one of England’s earliest Renaissance houses and contains very rare figurative wall paintings, which rank among the most important in the English Heritage collection. Parts of Hill Hall remain accessible for pre-booked tours. The park lies on a high ridge and offers far-reaching views across the landscape.

Railway and Country Estate Excursions

The Epping Ongar Railway is the longest heritage railway in Essex and also the heritage railway closest to London. On most operating days, vintage buses run from Epping and Shenfield stations to the restored heritage railway stations. This makes the railway a destination in its own right for travellers who want to combine technology, transport history and landscape.

Copped Hall was a historic deer park and country estate dating from the 12th century or earlier. Today, monthly tours offer insights into the gardens, parts of the manor house, the cellars and the stables. The older park area is listed as a Grade II* site, while the Walled Kitchen Garden is one of the largest kitchen gardens in Essex.

Choosing the Right Starting Point

Epping is the terminus of the London Underground’s Central line. Together with the nearby edge of the forest, the starting point of the Essex Way and the surrounding attractions, the town provides a clear point of reference for planning your trip. When looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Epping, you can therefore first consider whether your trip should focus on short walks in the forest, historic sightseeing, longer hikes or the Epping Ongar Railway.

Seasonal and community experiences include the Epping Town Show, an annual community day with arena displays, fairground attractions and entertainment, as well as a traditional Christmas market with food, gifts, handicrafts, Santa Claus and festive entertainment. For more ideas in the area, you can also discover Little Waltham, West Horndon, Weeley, Stebbing, Castle Hedingham, Brentwood, Hempstead and Broxted.

For the higher-level travel overview: Essex.