Epping Forest, Essex + London
Home » Travel »In an endeavor to have more family time – which, as my son grows older is actually becoming less and less, I’m trying to make sure that we go out as a family at least once a month. I’m already fearing empty nest syndrome, so need to cherish these last few years before he doesn’t want to go out with mum anymore!
Days out can be expensive, so I’m sharing a ‘Things To Do For Free In…‘ series, covering Essex and London at the moment. There are also several posts I’ve shared of Free Days Out – these are places we’ve gone to in the past!
We recently went out to Epping Forest, which spans both Essex and London. I’ve said that this is a free thing to do in Essex as we went to High Beech which is in Essex ^_^ During this visit to the forest, we went to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge which is in Chingford, London – but still part of Epping Forest. Confused? Don’t be!
Epping Forest is a massive 6,000 acres!! Two-thirds of the Forest has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). There is so much to do in Epping Forest – walking, horse riding, fishing, running, cycling, golf, and there are also special events throughout the year. Check out the Epping Forest website for up-to-date information.
On this day, we went for a walk in the forest – it was not too chilly, but it was muddy, so we did have to don the welly boots! We also got stuck in the mud a few times with much hilarity!
Parking up near the Kings Oak pub in High Beech, we set off into the forest. Parking around the forest is free. There are some designated parking areas, but a lot of people do just pull up where they can. Take a picnic to save on food costs, although there are several pubs and restaurants that you can dine in and grab a drink.
The easiest way to show you around Epping Forest is through the photographs that I took. I won’t share them all here, but you can see the full set on my Flickr.
Epping Forest is famously associated with the notorious highwayman, Dick Turpin. High Beech is home to Turpin’s Cave, his hideout in the forest. The exact whereabouts are unknown, but one place is said to be Wellington Hill, which is where we happened to walk down.
There is also a spooky phenomenon that occurs at a slip road in High Beech, which is called Hangman’s Hill. If you park your car at the bottom of the hill at night, turn off the engine and the lights, your car slowly starts to roll uphill! Local legend says that it is being pulled towards an ancient tree by a hangman’s noose. I’ve actually done this and can confirm that it is seriously spooky!
The forest is so ancient, that walking through it does feel like there is this air of mystery and history surrounding you. We found a few mushrooms on this walk – one of my favourite things to look for when on a woodland walk, as you know!
Since spring hadn’t quite sprung, there wasn’t too much to see in the way of wildlife and nature, but we still managed to find some interesting things – there’s nothing better than a forage around the forest! We also saw a local riding school trotting through on horseback.
We then moved the car along to another part of the forest and managed to bag the last space in the small car park. The land here was flatter – and muddier too! We saw lots of interesting things…
Epping Forest is a wonderful free place to visit in Essex (and London!), go for fun muddy walks in the winter, forage for mushrooms in the autumn, look for budding flowers and shoots in the spring, and enjoy the forest at its full splendor in the summer!
Have you been to Epping Forest? What are your favourite things to do in the forest?
Let me know in the comments section below this post!
Circusmum
April 16, 2014 @ 1:47 pm
Oh, I’ve been wanting to take my daughter to Epping Forest for ages, we used to walk her in her pram there when she w SUNY but she doesn’t remember it. Looking at your photos has made up my mind, we’re going to don our walking boots and visit this Saturday! I love the fuzzy dice tree lol!
Michelle Ordever
April 16, 2014 @ 4:48 pm
Awesome! Have a fab time! I bet it’s looking lovely now that the trees are more in bloom!
Vaichin@RamblingThroughParenth
April 13, 2014 @ 3:54 am
I think you are rather brave to test that ghostly phenomenon. I would be running a mile in the other direction! Lovely photos, though :-)
Michelle Ordever
April 16, 2014 @ 4:48 pm
It was a looooooong time ago now, when I was younger and a lot braver than I am now! #scaredycat
Helen Peakle Pie
April 9, 2014 @ 11:55 am
That road sounds very spooky!! Lovely pictures and I really chuckled at the fuzzy dice tree! #blogclub
Michelle Ordever
April 16, 2014 @ 4:47 pm
lol, typical Essex with the fuzzy dice!
Vicky Wombwell Kuhn
April 9, 2014 @ 12:58 am
What fantastic pictures. i love a day out for free – and always have plenty of ideas in my back pocket for half terms. I find fungi strangely beautiful.
Michelle Ordever
April 16, 2014 @ 4:47 pm
You’re not the only one – love foraging for fungi – I look though, don’t touch!!
Jo Clarke
April 8, 2014 @ 11:28 pm
Great pictures. It looks like a great place to visit!
Michelle Ordever
April 16, 2014 @ 4:47 pm
Thank you, it’s fab there!
Laura @ Kneadwhine
April 8, 2014 @ 9:13 pm
I’ve never been there but it looks great! I love snowdrops and that little acorn cup is gorgeous. Great pictures.
Michelle Ordever
April 16, 2014 @ 4:47 pm
Thank you – I loved the little acorn cup too – I always think of them as fairy bowls!! x
fritha strickland
April 8, 2014 @ 5:43 pm
I’ve never been to Essex but I’ve heard lovely things about Epping forest! x
Michelle Ordever
April 16, 2014 @ 4:46 pm
It’s such a huge expanse of woodland! x
Kirsty Phillipson-Lowe
April 8, 2014 @ 10:25 am
This looks a great day out, we love visiting forests for walks. Shame we don’t live closer x
Michelle Ordever
April 16, 2014 @ 4:46 pm
Forest walks are fab – need to go back now that spring has sprung a little bit more! x
savvywendy
April 8, 2014 @ 7:38 am
Gorgeous pictures. Never been to Epping Forest looks amazing !!
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:13 am
It is an amazing place! We used to go there a lot as children, so it’s nice to go back as a grown up!
Kara
April 8, 2014 @ 7:15 am
Love the pictures – our friends live on the edge of Epping Forest and we are visiting later this year so will be sure to check it out
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:13 am
Make sure you squeeze in a walk in the forest – it’s so ancient and mysterious and I love it
Emily Tealady
April 8, 2014 @ 6:41 am
Wow I love the pictures and the forest sounds really interesting with all the history and spooky goings on!
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:13 am
It’s a spooky place – especially driving around at night – eep!!
RollercoasterMum
April 8, 2014 @ 12:29 am
Gorgeous pictures especially the fungi and the flowers. I have never been to Epping Forest I’m afraid but I do love a free day out and I think having a series of posts is a great idea – might have to start my own for our area!
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:14 am
That would be a great thing to do – we’re all looking for ways to save money when going out :)
Sarah Bailey
April 7, 2014 @ 11:48 pm
What a gorgeous looking place – those pictures are lovely. If I’m ever down that way I’ll have to try and have a visit I’m sure the dog would love it as well :) x
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:15 am
We saw lots of people walking their dogs – as well as forested areas, there are wide open spaces too – ideal for a good run round! x
You Baby Me Mummy
April 7, 2014 @ 7:42 pm
Lovely photo’s. Looks like a great place to visit x
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:15 am
Thank you – it’s a great place to explore x
Nell@PigeonPairandMe
April 7, 2014 @ 7:37 pm
Wow, that dice tree is stunning! I’d love to visit Epping Forest – never made it there, even when I was living close by in Hackney. You make it sound delightful.
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:16 am
lol – isn’t it though?! It’s amazing how we forget about things that are so close to us. Last time we visited was about 3 years ago with a promise to go back – took all this time to do it!
Aisha Isabel Ashraf
April 7, 2014 @ 6:18 pm
Gorgeous photos! That magpie was my favourite – we don’t have them here in Canada and I got a sudden, warm rush of recognition when he scrolled into view. I’m very jealous you tried the spookiness of Hangman’s Hill out for yourself too.
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:17 am
Aww, that’s lovely that the photo of the magpie did that for you! Hangman’s Hill is seriously spooky. There is also a graveyard that you’re supposed to see strange going ons at one of the gravestones…
Charly Dove
April 7, 2014 @ 5:42 pm
What a great post Michelle, fabulous photos too. I used to live near Essex many moons ago and I seem to remember hearing lots of good things about Epping Forest. Nothing beats a bit of fresh air, we do it a lot albeit in a different part of the country!
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:18 am
Thank you :) I agree, nothing better than some fresh air – and the fact that we have all this wonderful natural space makes that easier than we realise!
Kerry Louise
April 7, 2014 @ 4:52 pm
I’ve never been to Essex but if im ever in the area I must remember this post! Thanks for sharing x
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:18 am
Woodland adventures are so much fun! x
@annajefferson
April 7, 2014 @ 4:45 pm
Oooh we’re not all that far from Epping Forest, would be a lovely day out once baby number two’s come! x
Michelle Ordever
April 8, 2014 @ 10:19 am
Good luck with baby number two! x
Victoria MyLittleLBlog
April 7, 2014 @ 1:24 pm
i like parks and forest and seek any opportunity to go somewhere nice, Essex is a bit far for me but I will bare this in mind
Michelle Ordever
April 7, 2014 @ 1:28 pm
Love woodlands – so many things to see
Foz
April 7, 2014 @ 1:06 pm
Loving your photos.Bet the place looks lovely in summer
Michelle Ordever
April 7, 2014 @ 1:12 pm
It does! Must pencil in a Saturday or Sunday here when the weather is warmer and the trees and flowers are in bloom!
Manneskjur
April 7, 2014 @ 12:12 pm
You really can’t beat free days out amongst nature – it’s like a double win!
Michelle Ordever
April 7, 2014 @ 1:12 pm
I agree, can’t beat it at all!
Halal Mama
April 7, 2014 @ 11:06 am
It looks like a really great place to go! I’m really looking forward to little Mr growing up a bit so I can take him places that he can actually enjoy
Michelle Ordever
April 7, 2014 @ 1:13 pm
It’s a fab place – I do love forest adventures. Hope to take my niece this summer
Louisa
April 7, 2014 @ 9:31 am
It’s great when you can find things to do for free isn’t it? I love the dice in the tree! The car going uphill is seriously spooky.
Michelle Ordever
April 7, 2014 @ 1:14 pm
There is so much to do for free! Chuck in a packed lunch or a picnic and it makes for a low cost day out – especially in the summer months.
It is seriously spooky – it was when I was a teenager and it was about 2 in the morning as well!!!