Welcome to Epping Forest District
Welcome to our district, an area that includes cosmopolitan towns in the south and rural villages and hamlets in the north. Bordering London, the twin green swaths of Epping Forest and the Lee Valley provide natural routes into the district and access to its history and heritage as well as shopping and café culture. We are also easily accessible via eight tube stations on the Central Line plus four junctions on the M11 and M25 motorways.
The height of summer is behind us now but there are still plenty of events and attractions to fill the weekends. Check out the events listing to discover things to do across the district now and over the coming months. Whatever the season, its always time to get out into our beautiful countryside. So much is accessible and free whether its following one of our many paths, exploring our history and heritage, or just relaxing beside a river or lake.
Those exploring further into our district will find unspoilt countryside with delightful towns, villages and hamlets plus hidden treasures, such as the oldest wooden church in the world, the CAMRA pub of Essex, the place they made the nation's gunpowder and explosives, and the closest heritage steam railway to the Capital – plus a whole lot more.
Explore this website and discover more information about history and heritage, events and attractions, fine food and drink and places to explore, stay and relax. Also discover more about the district, its history and heritage and, under Ideas & Inspiration, the good and the famous.
Epping Forest forms a direct green link between London and rural Essex and lends its name to a market town and surrounding district that never fails to surprise and delight visitors who discover its many attractions. And all just a walk, ride or tube journey away from the Capital.
Immersed in history, the ancient market town of Waltham Abbey is the last resting place of King Harold and home to the District Museum where you can learn about the district's rich heritage, and the Royal Gunpowder Mills were you can discover the secret history of gunpowder production and rocket development.
Just a few minutes away, the world class Lee Valley White Water Centre offers adrenaline-pumping white water adventure. For a gentler taste of the outdoors, head for Epping Forest, with ancient trees, sunlit glades and a host of events throughout the year. Visit Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge or explore the sites of two large Iron Age forts.
Alternatively, enjoy English countryside at its best along the Essex Way which begins right outside Epping Station at the end of the Central Line. Lee Valley Regional Park, running along the western edge of the Epping Forest district, offers much to the leisure visitor and Lee Valley Park Farms plus Ashlyns Farm at North Weald are popular family days out.
Just outside Ongar, Greensted’s 11th Century Church is famed as the oldest wooden church in the world whilst at Copped Hall, Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream was first performed. Combine your visit with lunch in the leafy market towns of Epping or Ongar, two destinations linked by the Epping Ongar Heritage Railway, who can take you even further on one of their classic double-decker buses.
Bargain hunters head for North Weald Airfield, host to a weekly outdoor market held Saturdays and Bank Holidays on a former Battle of Britain site, still active today with historic aircraft in the skies and events throughout the year. The Airfield Museum is another must-see for enthusiasts. For the ultimate retail therapy, especially if bling’s your thing, head for Loughton and Buckhurst Hill where you’ll find shops full of the fashion and designer goods that inspired the TOWIE look. You’ll also find plenty of café’s and bars to relax and admire your purchases or plan your evening at top night spots or fine dining in one of the district’s many acclaimed restaurants.
Make Epping Forest the centre for your stay and when you've exhausted the attractions of our district, explore further. London is the obvious magnet but there's also lots to see and do in neighbouring Broxbourne which shares a border with Epping Forest along the River Lee and the Lee Valley Park. To the north of the district is Harlow which offers shopping centres, cinema complexes, a theatre, museum and lots more.
Highlights
Highlights
Chigwell Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Epping Forest Countrycare
9 walks, 9 local nature reserves and 20 additional wildlife sites across the district.
Lee Valley White Water Centre
You’ll find gallons of fun at Lee Valley White Water Centre, from white water rafting on the…
North Weald Airfield Museum
An insight into the history of this great airfield. The importance it played during wartime, the…
Epping & Theydon Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
North Weald Airfield
There’s much more to historic North Weald than just the Airfield! Lots to see, lots going on and…
Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens
Beautiful grounds and home to an amazing cycle collection charting the history of the bicycle.
Waltham Abbey Church
Waltham Abbey Church and its grounds are steeped in history and Royal connections. Experience the…
The Essex Way
Starting at Epping Station, walk the Essex Way and celebrate some of the finest countryside in the…
Theydon Bois Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Nazeing Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Farmer's Market Matching Tye Village Hall
Produce from around the district and just beyond, market every third Saturday of the month
Epping Forest
Epping Forest, London's largest open space, is a registered charity managed by the City of London.…
Abridge Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Lambourne Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Butler's Farm Alpaca Experience and Shop
A unique and fun experience you will never forget!

- 1Chigwell Country Walk
- 2Loughton Leisure Centre
- 3Epping Forest Countrycare
- 4Epping Sports Centre
- 5Lee Valley White Water Centre
- 6North Weald Airfield Museum
- 7Epping & Theydon Country Walk
- 8North Weald Airfield
- 9Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens
- 10Waltham Abbey Church
- 11The Essex Way
- 12Theydon Bois Country Walk
- 13Nazeing Country Walk
- 14Farmer's Market Matching Tye Village Hall
- 15Epping Forest
- 16Abridge Country Walk
- 17Lambourne Country Walk
- 18Butler's Farm Alpaca Experience and Shop

Highlights
Premier Inn Chingford
Admire the leafy views of nearby Epping Forest - or hire a bike and hit those woodland tracks.
The Blue Boar
Welcome to The Blue Boar, an established beautiful Boutique Hotel nestled in the village of…
Debden House Campsite
Debden House Campsite is over 50 acres and has attracted thousands of visitors since its opening in…
De Vere Theobalds Estate
De Vere Theobalds Estate offers guests with exceptional service in a beautiful parkland setting.
Premier Inn Waltham Abbey
Close to the natural wonders of Gunpowder Park and Waltham Abbey Gardens, with easy links to London.
Premier Inn Buckhurst Hill
Loughton/Buckhurst Hill hotel. Hit the tracks in Epping Forest or in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic…
The Old Forge Studio
Stylish luxury apartment offering comfortable space for 2/4 people in the grounds of a C16th Forge.…
Down Hall Hotel & Spa
The best way to understand the rich past of Down Hall is to stay there. Each of the hotel’s 99…
Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel
Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel welcomes you with elegant accommodation, helpful amenities and stylish…
The Fox Inn at Matching Tye
The Fox Inn at Matching Tye - an 18th Century inn with luxury accommodation in a peaceful country…
Highlights
Chigwell Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Epping Forest Countrycare
9 walks, 9 local nature reserves and 20 additional wildlife sites across the district.
Lee Valley White Water Centre
You’ll find gallons of fun at Lee Valley White Water Centre, from white water rafting on the…
North Weald Airfield Museum
An insight into the history of this great airfield. The importance it played during wartime, the…
Epping & Theydon Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
North Weald Airfield
There’s much more to historic North Weald than just the Airfield! Lots to see, lots going on and…
Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens
Beautiful grounds and home to an amazing cycle collection charting the history of the bicycle.
Waltham Abbey Church
Waltham Abbey Church and its grounds are steeped in history and Royal connections. Experience the…
The Essex Way
Starting at Epping Station, walk the Essex Way and celebrate some of the finest countryside in the…
Theydon Bois Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Nazeing Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Farmer's Market Matching Tye Village Hall
Produce from around the district and just beyond, market every third Saturday of the month
Epping Forest
Epping Forest, London's largest open space, is a registered charity managed by the City of London.…
Abridge Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Lambourne Country Walk
Get out into the countryside and discover history, heritage and ever-changing natural beauty in the…
Butler's Farm Alpaca Experience and Shop
A unique and fun experience you will never forget!

- 1Chigwell Country Walk
- 2Loughton Leisure Centre
- 3Epping Forest Countrycare
- 4Epping Sports Centre
- 5Lee Valley White Water Centre
- 6North Weald Airfield Museum
- 7Epping & Theydon Country Walk
- 8North Weald Airfield
- 9Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens
- 10Waltham Abbey Church
- 11The Essex Way
- 12Theydon Bois Country Walk
- 13Nazeing Country Walk
- 14Farmer's Market Matching Tye Village Hall
- 15Epping Forest
- 16Abridge Country Walk
- 17Lambourne Country Walk
- 18Butler's Farm Alpaca Experience and Shop

Highlights
The Fox Inn at Matching Tye
The Fox Inn at Matching Tye - an 18th Century inn in a peaceful country location with a large…
The John Barleycorn Pub & Restaurant
Join us for Great British Dining at The John Barleycorn Pub & Restaurant in Harlow, Essex
The Moletrap
The Moletrap pub - a hidden gem in the Epping countryside. A great destination any time of the year…
The Kings Head North Weald
The King’s Head, part of the Vintage Inns collection, recently reopened its doors following a major…
The Farmhouse Restaurant
Discover our latest menus to see what Proper British Food we offer at our Restaurant Waltham Abbey…
Original Tea Hut
The Original Tea Hut at High Beech in Epping Forest is open seven days a week for great food,…
The Blue Boar
Welcome to The Blue Boar, an established beautiful Boutique Bar, Restaurant and Hotel nestled in…
The Woodbine
The Woodbine. Award winning - CAMRA Pub of Essex and finalist CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year