10 Great Reasons to Visit

1 The Forest itself

A stunning ancient woodland and former royal hunting forest stretching 12 miles from London to Epping. Savour the tranquillity and space in this enchanting natural landscape or opt for more active pursuits - opportunities are limitless! Remember that a number of Forest routes are attractive and accessible to all. Why not combine your visit with a country pub lunch?

2 On London’s doorstep

Spend less of your ‘day out’ travelling – the Epping Forest area is a country retreat and recreational haven on London Underground’s Central Line and just minutes from the North Circular, M25 and M11. For those looking for an affordable way to visit the Capital, and experience the English countryside, using Epping Forest as a base offers the best of both worlds.

3 Adrenaline heaven

Don’t be fooled it’s not all about pretty, green and serene! For extreme sports fans out there the Epping Forest area offers adrenalin-pumping white water rafting at the London 2012 Lee Valley White Water Centre, exhilarating sports car and hovercraft experiences, flying lessons, mountain biking, high rope adventures and much more.

4 Hidden Heritage

Discover Waltham Abbey’s newly refurbished district museum, its connection to King Harold and gunpowder production or nearby Copped Hall, where Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was first performed. Marvel at the world’s oldest wooden church at Greensted then make a visit to Ongar which retains the influence of its Saxon and Norman past and from where you can board a steam train towards Epping.

5 Taste sensations

You'll be spoilt for choice with prized butchers on our high streets (including one which recently celebrated its 125th anniversary!), tempting farm shops and town centres brimming with eating options! For that special occasion we have true gems in fine dining and for walkers or cyclists with weary feet and hungry tums try one of the area’s fantastic country pub offerings – idyllic in the summer sunshine with views over the Forest, the village cricket green or London’s skyline in the distance.

6 Countryside galore

Where else can you be just minutes from a motorway but feel immersed in glorious countryside? What’s more, Epping Forest and Lee Valley Regional Park provide direct green links into the area so if journeying from London, you can leave the car and other transport entirely and venture on foot or by bike. Whatever your interest and ability the district offers it all, from forest tracks to riverside trails and rambles in the open countryside, from the 82-mile Essex Way starting in Epping and 1000 acre River Lee Country Park to short circular routes for the whole family.

7 Superb shopping

Epping, Waltham Abbey and Ongar are vibrant historic towns with active market days. Loughton also hosts a monthly farmers’ market and North Weald Airfield boasts one of  the country’s biggest open air market every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday. The district’s high streets have wonderfully different personalities and their wealth of local independent shops set them apart from neighbouring centres making them perfect for a relaxing stroll.

8 Family fun

From rockets and explosions in Professor Nitrate's Mad Lab at Royal Gunpowder Mills to the thrill of a journey by heritage bus and steam on Epping Ongar Railway, there's so much to experience. The Epping Forest District Museum brings fascinating local history to life. Or get up close with the cuddly sheep, mischievous meerkats and much more at Lee Valley Park Farms.

9 Laidback leisure

Simply take your pick – the Epping Forest area is a veritable playground of leisure pursuits... will it be 18 holes, trying your hand at fly fishing, a jaunt into the forest on horseback, boating on the River Lee or hiring a bike?

10 Captivating events

With a packed annual calendar of spectacular events you’ll keep coming back for more! Savour exquisite music or theatre performance at Copped Hall, be thrilled by historic re-enactments at Secret Island or gaze in wonder at fly-ins over North Weald Airfield. Alternatively, get your TOWIE-fix with a celebrity tour of the area, venture to Waltham Abbey in October for the renowned King Harold Day.