Epping Forest is busy with summer visitors of all ages

Echoing the words of Shakespeare’s Macbeth: “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow, and which will not.”

Our Epping Forest team has been busy sowing ‘metaphorical seeds’ through a vibrant programme of activities to deepen the public’s connection with this ancient woodland.

Over the summer, our team attended local events and hosted educational sessions, bringing the magic of Epping Forest to new audiences.

A standout moment was the Open Day at the Epping Forest Field Centre on July 25, where staff from the Centre, the City of London Corporation’s Engagement team, and colleagues from The Hive came together to showcase the Forest as a vibrant, living classroom.

Caroline Haines has enjoyed the summer in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation) The Open Air Theatre series also proved popular, culminating in a performance of HMS Pinafore in the picturesque setting of Wanstead Park.

More than 1,000 visitors attended this year’s programme, and I’m sure that many, like me, left inspired to explore the Forest further.

Younger visitors got stuck in through hands-on activities, including volunteer litter picks and a youth photography workshop.

These experiences are designed to nurture a lifelong appreciation for nature and conservation, and we hope the seeds planted through this work will one day grow into a new generation of custodians.

Nature, too, has been busy. Fungi have made an early appearance, likely due to a wet spring and warm summer.

With over 1,600 species, Epping Forest’s fungi are a key reason the area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, managed by the City of London Corporation as a registered charity.

Please remember, collecting fungi is prohibited under Forest byelaws. Instead, we encourage everyone to admire these remarkable organisms in their natural setting.

In the case of fungi, it’s not seeds but spores that help them sustain this delicate ecosystem for the future.

As summer draws to a close, the Forest continues to thrive - not only as a haven for wildlife, but as a place for learning, creativity, and connection.

Whether you're admiring the early flush of fungi or soaking up the quiet of the woods, we invite you to experience the peace and perspective this ancient landscape offers - and reflect on the 'seeds of time' as you rest in the shade of a veteran oak.

• Caroline Haines is chair of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest & Commons Committee.