To find out more about the district and see its history brought alive, a visit to the Epping Forest District Museum in Waltham Abbey is a must and a good starting point when planning your itinerary or finishing point to find out more about the places you’ve seen and link them with the people and industry that has shaped the district. Although access to Hill Hall is limited, thanks to local volunteers Copped Hall is being restored and both the building and gardens are open to the public throughout the year. Both have stories to tell and can be explored.

Those passing through the district on the motorways may wonder about the two imposing buildings on the skyline, Hill Hall and Copped Hall. Visitors to both can see physical links back to life over a thousand years ago and imagine life in Waltham Abbey when King Harold visited his abbey or the regular market day in Ongar or services in Greensted Church, and how life changed after the Norman Invasion when the town was one of the spoils given to Count Eustace of Boulogne for his key role in the Battle of Hastings. Ongar and Waltham Abbey also have a very long and venerable heritage having been important towns of consequence from Saxon times. The forest itself is an ancient land and contains the remains of two Iron Age forts as well as buildings that tell of Royal patronage during Tudor times and links to a more modern time when Victorian development challenged the very forest itself and local people rose up and ensured it was protected for us to enjoy today.

History abounds across the Epping Forest District. All these opportunities and more are detailed on the relevant organisation website and whilst geared for the young are fascinating for all ages. Epping Ongar Railway and the Royal Gunpowder Mills both offer family and children centred events and activities throughout the year and are particularly busy with young people during school holidays. Both are world class and offer visitor centres, organised activities for children and long remembered experiences as the scenery constantly reinvents itself depending on the season. For those who like their wildlife roaming free and nature all around them there’s the ancient canopy and open buffer lands of Epping Forest or the rivers, lakes and canals and surrounding habitat of the Lee Valley Park. They have themed and seasonal activities and handy things like good parking and places to eat and drink. Lee Valley Farms near Waltham Forest, Ashlyns near North Weald and Redwings Ada Cole Horse Sanctuary all offer an amazing opportunity to get close up and personal with all sorts of animals. This 160 acre reserve is famous for the beautiful wild flowers, such as Southern Marsh Orchids and Yellow Watercress. another waterside hidden gem is the Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve, the largest remaining water meadows in Essex. A more recent rural landscape is offered by the Lee Valley which has a river and canal at its heart plus numerous lakes and water faetures as it crosses the Epping Forest District. Once reserved for royal hunting, these ancient woodlands offer a variety of settings and wildlife that is conatantly changing with the seasons.

Adventure, relaxation, adrenalin or culture and heritage, it's all here waiting to amaze you.Įat, drink, shop and enjoy - discover offers and promotions plus the latest things to see and do on our free Discover App.Ī significant part of the Epping Forest District is Green Belt and this includes two historic forests - Epping Forest and Hainault Forest. Whether you’re looking to fill an hour or so, or a long weekend, you’ll be surprised at what’s on offer and plan to come back again to fit in what you missed – or to get more of the same. There’s something for everyone within and around the Epping Forest District.

Epping forest prey tell