An “iconic” map of Epping Forest drew a crowd of 500 people when it was rolled out to its full length at a one-off event.

The giant map, which measures 30ft by 13ft or the same height as two double-decker buses, was displayed on Saturday (July 4) in Loughton library.

The Essex Record Office’s copy of the Epping Forest Arbitrator’s Map is one of only three made in 1882.

Designed for maximum detail to avoid boundary disputes, it is still used 130 years later by planners working on land stretching between Epping in the north and Wanstead in the south.

The rare display was a “once-in-a-lifetime” event according to Epping Forest verderer and historian Richard Morris.

Although the maps are still used, they are never normally rolled out to their full length due to space constraints.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Members of the public were invited to pore over the map

In today’s money, they would have cost around £140,000 to produce.

Mr Morris gave a talk on the production of the map, which he described as “iconic”, and councillor and historical society member Chris Pond spoke about how the forest became a “cockney paradise” following the Epping Forest Act of 1878.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Gordon Haines from the City of London corporation, MP Eleanor Laing, Loughton town mayor Judy Jennings and Epping deputy mayor Les Burrows

Conservative MP Eleanor Laing was among those present at the exhibition.

She said: “The map is magnificent.

“What a task it must have been to compile it way back in the 1880s and how important it has been for the development of local social history in the area.”

She added: “It was marvellous to see so many people at the library taking an interest in such an historic document.

“My thanks go to everyone involved in bringing this piece of Epping Forest's history to Loughton.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

The 'iconic' map on full display