Epping Forest: A brief history and where to live nearby

Epping Forest trees in the sunlight

Epping Forest is an extensive swathe of ancient woodland, nestling in the suburban landscape of North East London. This peaceful haven is a favourite among locals seeking to escape the fast-paced, hustle and bustle of London life. We’ve created this guide for anyone who wants to find out more about Epping Forest, including where to live nearby.

Where is Epping Forest?

Epping Forest sits on the very north-eastern edge of London, just inside the M25 and bordering the county of Essex. The Forest is a 6,000 acre stretch of historic woods and parkland, bordering popular suburban commuter neighbourhoods. The popular areas of Chingford, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell are all nearby.

The Forest is easily accessed by road, with the M11 and the M25 skirting close to the borders of the forest. The Central Line also passes close by, providing easy access from Central London.

London’s most ancient open space

Experts regard the Forest as London’s oldest open space. It dates back to the end of the last ice age, when trees first returned to the landscape. The Forest was enshrined in law by the 1878 Epping Forest Act, which entrusted the space to the City of London for its upkeep and preservation. Queen Victoria dedicated the park, “…for the enjoyment of my people forever.”

Much of the Forest has Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) status. There are 55,000 ancient trees in the space, some of which are among the oldest living plants in Europe. This makes Epping Forest a unique and diverse ecological site, with a wealth of wildlife and a crucial role in environmental protection and preservation.

Today, Epping Forest is an extremely popular landscape to explore. There are more than 284km of paths and tracks to discover, and walkers, joggers and cyclists retreat to the park in great numbers to relax and unwind. Epping Forest Heritage Trust also offer guided walks and events across the park throughout the year.

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Where to live near Epping Forest

Neighbouring Epping Forest are some of North East London’s most popular neighbourhoods. Loughton is the closest town to the park, while Chingford and Buckhurst Hill also share borders with parts of the Forest. The town of Epping lies to the north of the park, across the M25 and within the county of Essex.

Property prices around the Forest tend to be significantly higher than national averages. The average price of a property in Loughton is £633,373, according to data from Zoopla. Chingford property prices come in at £542,798, while Buckhurst Hill’s average is £643,946. Further north in Epping you can expect to pay an average of £690,961.

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Best new build developments near Epping Forest

So, what are the best new build developments near Epping Forest? If you’re looking to buy or rent a new build home in the area, there are numerous options surrounding this beautiful green space. Take a look below at the highest-rated new build developments in the area, according to the reviews of verified residents.

Highams Green, E4

Spenhill
4.13 (27 reviews) 4.13 (27 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Waltham Forest
Image of Highams Green, E4
Highams Green is a development by Fairview New Homes. It consists of 336 one to four-bedroom apartments. The development is just a 5-minute walk from Highams Park station, in Zone 4, where Overground services run to Liverpool Street in 26 minutes. Read reviews and details of Highams Green, E4

Alma Estate, EN3

Countryside
4.13 (19 reviews) 4.13 (19 reviews)
Area guide to North London
Image of Alma Estate, EN3
Alma Estate, by Countryside, comprises of 993 one, two and three bedroom homes. Originally built in the 1960’s, the development has been recently regenerated to include shops, a gym, a medical centre and other facilities. Alma Estate is a short walk from both Ponders End station and Brimsdown station. Read reviews and details of Alma Estate, EN3

Queen Mary’s Gate, E18

Telford Homes
3.94 (24 reviews) 3.94 (24 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Redbridge
Image of Queen Mary’s Gate, E18
Queen Mary’s Gate is a large residential development by Telford Homes. It comprises of 482 units in a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments alongside a range of studios. The development is a only a 12-minute away from South Woodford station, which has links to the Central line. A range of restaurants and […] Read reviews and details of Queen Mary’s Gate, E18

Banbury Park, E17

Clarion Housing
3.81 (13 reviews) 3.81 (13 reviews)
Area guide to Walthamstow
Image of Banbury Park, E17
Banbury Park is a new development of 350 mixed use units including private and affordable homes in Walthamstow, North-East London, making up a considerable section of the Blackhorse Road regeneration area. The site is a former industrial estate and homes at Banbury Park integrate the adjoining countryside with the urban area. These homes are marketed […] Read reviews and details of Banbury Park, E17

Discovery, E4

Fairview New Homes
3.67 (14 reviews) 3.67 (14 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Waltham Forest
Image of Discovery, E4
Discovery is a residential development by Fairview New Homes. Located in Highams Park, it comprises of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Also, Highams Park Overground station is just a 7-minutes’ walk away with connections into Central London in 25 minutes. Read reviews and details of Discovery, E4

The Reserve, EN8

Higgins Homes PLC
3.95 (12 reviews) 3.95 (12 reviews)
Area guide to Hertfordshire
Image of The Reserve, EN8
The Reserve is a Higgins Homes development built on the site of the old Britannia Nurseries. The development offers a mix of three, four and five bedroom homes. Lea Valley Regional park is on the doorstep, which boasts a mix of gardens, lakes and riverside trails. Additionally, London Liverpool Street is under 30 minutes by […] Read reviews and details of The Reserve, EN8

Would you like to explore property developments around Epping Forest and the surrounding area? Take a look at our area guide for North East London below. It includes details of the most popular new build developments in this part of the capital.

North East London

North East London
North East London may not receive as much attention as its more glamorous neighbours. However, this buzzing corner of the capital is attracting plenty of property hunters right now… Great value homes? Check. Top schools? Check. Diverse, lively culture? Check and check. Developers have Read more about North East London

HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.

written by

Jan Moys

A residential property expert with over 15 years’ experience creating content... Read all

A residential property expert with ov... Read all