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Introduction

Epping Forest is an area of ancient woodland, which stretches some 21km (13 miles) from Manor Park in East London to just North of Epping in Essex, covering 2,476 hectares (6,000 acres). It is located between the valleys of the rivers Lea and Roding, and contains areas of grassland, bog, marsh, heath, rivers and ponds. 

For 700 years the forest was protected as a royal hunting forest, but is now owned and managed by the City of London, who were empowered as the Conservators of Epping Forest by the 1878 Epping Forest Act to protect it from development and protect commoners’ rights.

In 1978, in celebration of the centenary of the 1878 Epping Forest Act, the Epping Forest Centenary Trust (EFCT) was established, which aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to access Epping Forest by increasing awareness of the Forest and its unique character. 

Project receives funding from the City of London, and works in conjunction with the Epping Forest Centenary Trust enabling Explorers from across the UK to learn more about the Forest, conservation techniques in general and to earn various Scouting and Duke of Edinburgh awards.