Dating from ancient times, Epping Forest once formed part of the great Forest of Essex (along with Hatfield and Hainault), whose function as a royal hunting forest was to supply deer for the monarch - both Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I came here to hunt. Another person who reaped the benefit of the forest was the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin (1705-1739), who held up the coaches as they travelled on the busy highway from London to Cambridge.
In the 19th century disputes broke out between commoners (who had grazing rights) and landowners - the latter illegally ‘enclosing’ areas of land for development. In 1878, the ‘Epping Forest Act’ was passed, and the management of the forest was given to the Corporation of London. They stopped the enclosures by the landowners, and ended the right of the monarchy to hunt here. Now it is stimulated that the forest be an open space for the recreation and enjoyment of the public.
Epping Forest stretches for about 12 miles, running from the town of Epping to Wanstead in East London. Noted for its fine woodlands (hornbeams, beech and oak - some pollarded), heath, reed fringed ponds and grassland - much of the forest has been designated a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’. Look out for deer, woodpeckers and wildfowl that live on the artificial ponds and lakes (great crested glebe, widgeon and gadwall). There are also many different types of plants, trees, fungi and shrubs, these attracting rare and endangered insects. Visitors to the forest can enjoy walking and mountain-bike trails, horse riding and fishing or quiet areas for a family picnic.