Epping Forest, a delightful woodland to the north east of London, occupies the high ground between the valleys of the Lea and the Roding, and has an extreme length of about 11 miles, though only 1-2 miles broad. Its main portion lies between Chingford and Epping, though there are isolated strips both to the north and to the south.
Epping Forest is the chief relic of Waltham Forest, a royal hunting ground, which as late as the reign of Charles II. covered 60, 000 acres. The process of disafforestation went on practically unchecked until about 1871, when the public rights were championed by the Commons Preservation Society, supported by the Corporation of the City. Finally, after a lawsuit lasting three years and an Act of Parliament passed in 1878, 5542 acres were acquired at a cost of �250, 000 and thrown open to the public in 1882 'to remain for ever an open space for recreation and enjoyment.' Subsequent additions have increased the total area managed by the Corporation to 5824 acres.
The 150 fallow-deer in the forest, of a uniform dark brown colour, probably form an indigenous herd; the roe-deer, which were introduced in 1884, seem to be extinct. Badgers, foxes, squirrels, and weasels are found also, and the bird-life is extremely varied. Vipers, recognizable by their dull brown colour with black markings, are now rare. The forest is a favourite resort of entomologists. The characteristic trees are the beech, hornbeam, oak, birch, and holly.
WALKS IN THE FOREST. Walkers who intend to quit the beaten tracks (by far the best method of exploration) should be provided with map and compass. In winter and after heavy rain stout boots are essential. Mules or donkeys may be hired at Theydon Bois or Loughton, except on Sunday. A good plan for a day's walk is to start from Chingford and visit High Beach, Loughton Camp, Monk Wood, Ambresbury Banks, and Epping Thicks; then walk to the west, past Copped Hall Green, to Waltham Abbey. See 'Epping Forest,' by E. N. Buxton, an admirable guide (1923; 2/6), or 'Rambles in Epping Forest and Rural Essex,' by J. A. Southern. A pleasant walk, dry even in winter, leads from Chingford to Loughton, 2 miles east north east, past Connaught Water and Warren Hill (view).
High Beach (388 feet) is an elevated point covered with fine beech-trees, about 2 miles north north east of Chingford (via Fairmead; landmark, the church spire) and the same distance to the north west of Loughton (via Loughton Camp, a circular British camp of 12 acres). Tennyson wrote 'The Talking Oak' and 'Locksley Hall' at Beach Hill Park near here. To the north lies the 'King's Oak' inn; to the south, on the main road, the 'Robin Hood.'
About 1 mile to the east north east of High Beach, beyond the main road, lies the charming Monk Wood, with fine beeches. At the cross-roads, + mile north, are the 'Wake Arms' and 'Fox & Hounds' inns. Farther on, + mile north east, on the right of the main road, are Ambresbury Banks, another ancient camp, larger and better-defined than Loughton Camp, and traditionally the scene of the defeat of Boadicea by Suetonius. Thence we may walk due east to Epping Thicks, a fine beech and holly wood, one of the wildest parts of the forest, and thence north east to (1+ miles) Epping; or we may strike south east for (1+ miles) Theydon Bois.
From Ambresbury Banks (3+ miles), the Wake Arms (3+ miles), and High Beach (2+ miles) pleasant roads run west to Waltham Abbey.
