About

As this website proves, there is so much to see do and explore in the Epping Forest District. Here we have selected a TOP 8 that have the distinction of being available to all, open the year-round and, most importantly, FREE.

These are our top 8, but there are many other things that are free, including lots of events and activities to be found on this site. So, take time to explore and discover things you may not have known about your district or things to seek out and experience when you visit. Lee Valley Wildlife Discover Tower, Countrycare, Greensted Church, The Essex Way, Epping Forest District Museum, Roding Valley Meadows, Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and Gunpowder Park.

You may also want to use our Discover App to get the latest news and updates and information specific to different towns and villages – including eating, drinking and shopping.

Here’s our FREE Top 8 (in no particular order – they’re all amazing) with links for more information:

Lee Valley Wildlife Discover Tower. Overlooking Seventy Acres Lake, this centre offers 360-degree views from a five-metre viewing tower, overlooking wetland and grassland habitat, plus information and guides to wildlife you can expect to see.

Countrycare looks after the beautiful countryside that is the responsibility of Epping Forest District. It maintains nine local nature reserves and 20 other wildlife sites plus offers a series of walks with downloadble leaflets with maps and details of the things to look out for.

Greensted Church. Sitting on the Essex Way just outside of Ongar, this is the oldest wooden Church in the World, and the oldest ‘Stave Built’ timber building in Europe. The church represents some 1300 years of English history and Christian worship.

The Essex Way is a long-distance path stretching from Epping to Harwich a distance of 81 miles. Its starting point is right outside Epping Station at the end of the Central Line.

Epping Forest District Museum. Holds a wealth of treasures related to and explaining the district through both permanent galleries and featured exhibitions.

Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve is the largest remaining species-rich water meadow in Essex. There is a mix of footpaths and wheelchair friendly paths through and around the reserve’s herb-rich meadows, hedgerows, marsh, ponds, scrub and woodland.

Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge. Next to the Forest’s Visitor Centre, with displays and exhibitions itself, the Lodge can be explored and has exhibitions on Tudor food and fashion, regular heritage events. Soak up the atmosphere of this incredible building nearly 500 years after it was first built.

Gunpowder Park was formerly a Royal Ordnance site concerned with munitions testing. Now given over to wildlife, features of the original landscape have been retained and the site offers open space for recreation, outdoor pursuits, arts and entertainment, plus fields, meadow and marsh to be enjoyed by walkers and cyclists throughout the year and horse riders in the summer.

Why not search our site under Things to do, Inspire and Explore for more free places to visit, activities and information to enlighten. And check out our Events listing here and our Discover App with more to do in our towns and villages.