Walking and outdoors

Opinion

Caroline Haines joined a team from Historic England exploring the history of Ambresbury Banks (Image: City of London Corporation)

Spring projects showcase heritage and conservation work across Epping Forest

Epping Forest Beaver volunteers build leaky dams on The Ching (Image: Alison O’Connor/City of London Corporation)

Epping Forest Beaver volunteers build leaky dams on The Ching (Image: Alison O’Connor/City of London Corporation)

How Epping Forest’s winter floods are helping protect it for the summer ahead

The North Weald walk takes ramblers past the heritage railway station (Image: Wikimedia)

The North Weald walk takes ramblers past the heritage railway station (Image: Wikimedia)

West Essex Ramblers

A walk exploring the history of North Weald’s railway, woodlands and Essex Way

The Epping Town Trail was launched by Epping Mayor Janet Whitehouse and Epping Society vice-chairman Roger Lowry (Image: The Epping Society)

The Epping Town Trail was launched by Epping Mayor Janet Whitehouse and Epping Society vice-chairman Roger Lowry (Image: The Epping Society)

The Entertainer

Discover the living history of Epping with a new curated walk

West Essex Ramblers take us on a guided walk along the River Lea Navigation (Image: Dave Evans)

West Essex Ramblers take us on a guided walk along the River Lea Navigation (Image: Dave Evans)

From gravel pits to wildlife haven: explore Fishers Green’s stunning transformation

Blackmore Village is a pretty village full of history

Blackmore Village is a pretty village full of history

West Essex Ramblers

A walk through ancient woodland and a village frequented by King Henry VIII

Caroline Haines is joined by Lizzie and Peter Barklem, chair of Visit England, Lady Victoria Borwick, Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, and Epping Forest District Council chair, Louise Mead to launch the Brambly Hedge trail

Caroline Haines is joined by Lizzie and Peter Barklem, chair of Visit England, Lady Victoria Borwick, Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, and Epping Forest District Council chair, Louise Mead to launch the Brambly Hedge trail

Brambly Hedge characters star on the launch of their trail at Epping Forest

Rush Hour by Ray Benn

Rush Hour by Ray Benn

Clubs and societies

The Woodford and Wanstead Photographic society share some of their travels

Caroline Haines (right) joined staff and volunteers at the Epping Forest Field Studies Centre for their Visitors Open Day (Image: City of London Corporation)

Caroline Haines (right) joined staff and volunteers at the Epping Forest Field Studies Centre for their Visitors Open Day (Image: City of London Corporation)

Visitors connect with nature in Epping Forest during the summer

Nicola Burrell’s ‘New Town III’ has found a new home in Gibberd Garden (Image: Gibberd Garden)

Nicola Burrell’s ‘New Town III’ has found a new home in Gibberd Garden (Image: Gibberd Garden)

The Gibberd Garden

New home for 'New Town III' statue at the Gibberd Garden in Harlow

The Rialto Bridge in Venice by David Tyrell (Image: WWPS)

The Rialto Bridge in Venice by David Tyrell (Image: WWPS)

The travels of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society

Brimble's newsagent and stationers was at 52, Station Road in Chingford (Image: Gary Stone)

Brimble's newsagent and stationers was at 52, Station Road in Chingford (Image: Gary Stone)

How a Chingford newsagent encouraged visitors to explore Epping Forest

A view of the new multi-sports games area from above

A view of the new multi-sports games area from above

New multi-use games area opens on estate as part of regeneration project

Ancient trees in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

Ancient trees in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

Epping Forest is one of the most significant ancient woodlands in the UK

The new solar-panelled lockers with free-to-borrow sports equipment

The new solar-panelled lockers with free-to-borrow sports equipment

The park with free sports equipment you can borrow

Longhorn cows are returning to Epping Forest in September (Image: City of London Corporation)

Longhorn cows are returning to Epping Forest in September (Image: City of London Corporation)

Cllr Paul Donovan

Working in partnership with nature around Wanstead Flats

A dog walker said she saw a man digging up the mosaic using a screwdriver

A dog walker said she saw a man digging up the mosaic using a screwdriver

'Disgusting' act of vandalism sees school mosaic dug up

The new locker installed at Leyton Marsh

The new locker installed at Leyton Marsh

'Innovative' locker installed in east London offering free sports equipment to borrow

Ben Murphy has been in his position at the City of London Corporation for three years

Ben Murphy has been in his position at the City of London Corporation for three years

Leaving Epping Forest but leaving the gift of nature free for all

Volunteers play a huge part in maintaining Wanstead Park (Image: Friends of Wanstead Parklands)

Volunteers play a huge part in maintaining Wanstead Park (Image: Friends of Wanstead Parklands)

Cllr Paul Donovan

The great work of volunteers must not be exploited

Visitors enjoy the display of bluebells in Chalet Wood (Image: PA)

Visitors enjoy the display of bluebells in Chalet Wood (Image: PA)

Its time to get back to a partnership with nature

Ben Murphy joined MP Iain Duncan Smith for a walk along the new Brambly Hedge trail (Image: City of London Corporation)

Ben Murphy joined MP Iain Duncan Smith for a walk along the new Brambly Hedge trail (Image: City of London Corporation)

Protecting and enhancing Epping Forest as a national treasure

The Duke of Gloucester with volunteers outside the Queen Elizabeth I Hunting Lodge (Image: Andy Wakefield/City of London Corporation)

The Duke of Gloucester with volunteers outside the Queen Elizabeth I Hunting Lodge (Image: Andy Wakefield/City of London Corporation)

Duke of Gloucester visits the inspirational place behind the Brambly Hedge books

Bitterns are hard to spot in their natural reed habitat (Image: PA)

Bitterns are hard to spot in their natural reed habitat (Image: PA)

Excitement at spotting an animal for the first time in the wild

Ben Murphy joins Jon Phillips to make sure that the British Longhorn cattle have their winter hay (City of London Corporation)

Ben Murphy joins Jon Phillips to make sure that the British Longhorn cattle have their winter hay (City of London Corporation)

Let Epping Forest help you keep your New Years' resolutions

Ben Murphy joins Jon Phillips to make sure the British Longhorn cattle have their winter feed (Image: City of London Corporation)

Ben Murphy joins Jon Phillips to make sure the British Longhorn cattle have their winter feed (Image: City of London Corporation)

Let Epping Forest help you keep your New Year's resolutions

The changes would impact parking in Northumberland Avenue near Wanstead Park

The changes would impact parking in Northumberland Avenue near Wanstead Park

Parking charges

Neighbours concerned after plans to charge visitors for parking near park revealed

River Ching Action group l-r Natasha, River Ching Action Group; Cllr Rosalind Dore, Waltham Forest; Tanith Cook, head of conservation at Epping Forest and Janet, River Ching Action Group (Image: Yve Woodhouse/City of London Corporation)

River Ching Action group l-r Natasha, River Ching Action Group; Cllr Rosalind Dore, Waltham Forest; Tanith Cook, head of conservation at Epping Forest and Janet, River Ching Action Group (Image: Yve Woodhouse/City of London Corporation)

Community contribution

Environment Agency

Reflecting on work in Epping Forest during 2024 but still planning ahead

The River Roding between Redbridge and South Woodford (Image: Creative Commons)

The River Roding between Redbridge and South Woodford (Image: Creative Commons)

Cllr Paul Donovan

The River Roding - a jewel in our local crown

The Epping Forest Field Studies Centre was built by City Corporation in 1970 (City of London Corporation)

The Epping Forest Field Studies Centre was built by City Corporation in 1970 (City of London Corporation)

Epping Forest is helping overcome big societal challenges

Grouse shoots are damage natural peat (Image: PA)

Grouse shoots are damage natural peat (Image: PA)

Cllr Paul Donovan

Public must take control of private land

Walthamstow Wetlands

Walthamstow Wetlands

The east London nature attraction that is the biggest of its type in Europe

There are over 1,500 fungi species in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

There are over 1,500 fungi species in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

Autumn has arrived at Epping Forest

A lot of youngsters turned out for the children's litter pick at Chingford (Image: City of London Corporation)

A lot of youngsters turned out for the children's litter pick at Chingford (Image: City of London Corporation)

Celebrating the volunteers of London's Green Lungs

Epping Forest have won a Green Flag award for the 22nd year running (Image: Yve Woodhouse)

Epping Forest have won a Green Flag award for the 22nd year running (Image: Yve Woodhouse)

Epping Forest gets Green Flag award for 22 years running

Ben Murphy hosts a visit from the Institute of Chartered Foresters (Image: City of London Corporation)

Ben Murphy hosts a visit from the Institute of Chartered Foresters (Image: City of London Corporation)

Celebrating the helping hands of Epping Forest

Brett Ellis used a picnic bench as an office while on holiday (Image: Pixaby)

Brett Ellis used a picnic bench as an office while on holiday (Image: Pixaby)

A brief love affair with a static caravan

Volunteers 'Lend A Hand' at Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

Volunteers 'Lend A Hand' at Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

'The benefits of volunteering are enormous'

Paul Donovan is enjoying the bluebells in Chalet Wood

Paul Donovan is enjoying the bluebells in Chalet Wood

Spring is a great time to be alive

Londoners of all ages love to cycle (Image: LCC)

Londoners of all ages love to cycle (Image: LCC)

London Mayoral Election

'We need to tell our next Mayor that London Loves Cycling'

Cllr Paul Donovan urges visitors to Wanstead Flats to respect the nature (Image: City of London Corporation)

Cllr Paul Donovan urges visitors to Wanstead Flats to respect the nature (Image: City of London Corporation)

City of London Corporation

We need to value the diverse nature of Wanstead Flats

Visitors to Epping Forest are being asked to keep to footpaths to protect the bluebells (Image: City of London Corporation/Yvette Woodhouse)

Visitors to Epping Forest are being asked to keep to footpaths to protect the bluebells (Image: City of London Corporation/Yvette Woodhouse)

Epping Forest is exploring the growing impact of climate change on site

Chingford and Woodford Green MP, Sir Iain Duncan Smith and the minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Mark Spencer at Epping Forest with Ben Murphy and COL staff (Image: City of London Corporation)

Chingford and Woodford Green MP, Sir Iain Duncan Smith and the minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Mark Spencer at Epping Forest with Ben Murphy and COL staff (Image: City of London Corporation)

'Epping Forest is of national and international conservation importance'

Peregrine falcons can be seen flying over Wanstead Flats (Image: PA)

Peregrine falcons can be seen flying over Wanstead Flats (Image: PA)

'Look up to the sky - you may be surprised what you see'

Brett Ellis has been forced to sell his bike (Image: PA)

Brett Ellis has been forced to sell his bike (Image: PA)

'Having to succumb to the idea of quitting'

Paul Thompson (right), seen here with Ben Murphy and former Lord Mayor of the City of London Vincent Keaveny, is retiring at the end of January (Image: City of London Corporation)

Paul Thompson (right), seen here with Ben Murphy and former Lord Mayor of the City of London Vincent Keaveny, is retiring at the end of January (Image: City of London Corporation)

Reflecting on the past but planning ahead

Paul Donovan will be enjoying Wanstead Park this Christmas

Paul Donovan will be enjoying Wanstead Park this Christmas

Cllr Paul Donovan

Walking in a winter Wanstead Park

Ben Murphy is getting festive in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

Ben Murphy is getting festive in Epping Forest (Image: City of London Corporation)

A Castle For Christmas

Celebrating the successes of 2023 in Epping Forest

(l-r) Chair of Epping Forest & Commons Committee, Cllr Ben Murphy, Lord Mayor of London Nicholas Lyons, Lord Lieutenant of Essex Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, MP for Epping Forest Dame Eleanor Laing DBE and chair of Epping Forest Council Cllr Darshan

(l-r) Chair of Epping Forest & Commons Committee, Cllr Ben Murphy, Lord Mayor of London Nicholas Lyons, Lord Lieutenant of Essex Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, MP for Epping Forest Dame Eleanor Laing DBE and chair of Epping Forest Council Cllr Darshan

The colourful hues of autumn arrive in Epping Forest

Longhorn cows have been doing essential work while grazing in Epping Forest (Picture: City of London Corporation)

Longhorn cows have been doing essential work while grazing in Epping Forest (Picture: City of London Corporation)

The wonderful job longhorn cows do in Epping Forest

Riggs Retreat at High Beach c1908

Riggs Retreat at High Beach c1908

When thousands came to Epping Forest on bank holidays

Redbridge wins nine Green Flag awards for its parks

Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days

Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days

Exhilarating family fun all summer long with Essex Outdoors

The buses outside The Royal Forest Hotel. Credit: Gary Stone

The buses outside The Royal Forest Hotel. Credit: Gary Stone

Then & Now: A busy bus terminus when day trippers flocked to the forest