Camping And Walking In Epping Forest Essex

Camping And Walking In Epping Forest Essex

Camping in Epping Forest, for me, conjures up images of finding a secret spot next to a stream where I can pitch up my gear and spit roast a wild squirrel on my fire. Now, that's never going to happen for several reasons; I don't like camping, I'm scared of the dark and I can't hunt.

This type of 'wild camping' is illegal in Epping Forest, as it is anywhere in England unless you have special permission from the land owner. Wild camping with motorhomes is also not allowed and you will be moved on by the forest rangers regardless of whether there is a 'No Camping' sign or not. The main parts of Epping Forest do get busy in to the early hours so you're not likely to get much peace if you camp in close proximity to your transport but you may be fine if you just have a canopy, or make use of one of the many bivouacs in Epping Forest, and don't light a fire. In Scotland wild camping is far more acceptable and very popular. 

The most sensible and safe option is to camp nearby and enjoy Epping Forest during the day with plenty of walks in Epping Forest trying to track down some of Epping Forest's native Fallow Deer or, failing that, a trip to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary.

Here is my quick guide to camping in Epping Forest for your walking holidays.

Debden House Centre 

Debden House Centre is situated in Loughton, Essex, and right next to Epping Forest. They have 7 fields, including 4 fire fields, with over 300 pitches, many with electric hookup for caravans and campervans. You have to fill in an enquiry form on their website for more details.
Debden campsite is open from 1st May to the 30th September yearly.

Woodland Camp

Woodland Camp is situated a short drive from Epping Forest in Romford, Essex. They have assorted areas for camping within a Woodland Valley, with one of the larger Woodland Plateau camping areas featuring a "camping shelter" large enough for 30 people, an outdoor BBQ and a campfire location. Their website is easy to use, very informative and includes a video and image gallery. Woodland Camp is open all year round.

Lee Valley Campsite

Lee Valley Campsite is situated in Sewardstone, Chingford, Essex and offers a perfect location in Epping Forest. They have 1,000 acres for tents and caravans, or you can choose to stay in a cosy cocoon or family cabin. They have a very comprehensive website and you can book online quite easily. Lee Valley Campsite open all year round.

Here is a full list of walks in Epping Forest

Click on the link for the latest Epping Forest Map 2012 with up to date news, visitor centre details and information on Epping Forest walking routes. There is also a very good Epping Forest walking map available at the Epping Forest shop at the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge in Chingford so that you can plan your own special walking routes in and around the ancient royal hunting grounds of Epping Forest. Click here for Camping in Epping Forest.

Easy Short Walks

Easy walks that are suitable for all of the family, mostly up to 5 miles which should take a leisurely 2 to 3 hours to complete. Epping Forest can be quite muddy so it is advisable to wear a good pair of walking boots or waterproof walking shoes. Facilities can be quite limited in Epping Forest with High Beach being the most central location for refreshments and toilet facilities. 

Gunpowder Park Walk
A simple 2 mile circular walk in Gunpowder Park offers leisurely walking routes in an area of conservation near Waltham Abbey.

South Woodford Walk
An easy 3 mile linear walk from South Woodford to Chingford following the Epping Forest Centenary Walk.

Willow Trail Walk
A simple 3 mile classic family circular walk following The Willow Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, around Connaught Water.

Epping Forest Family Walk
A 3 mile family stroll randomly around the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest from High Beach.

Holly Trail Walk
A simple 3 mile classic family circular walk following The Holly Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, starting in Chingford.

Chestnut Trail Walk
A simple 4 mile classic family circular walk following The Chestnut Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, starting in Wanstead.

Wanstead Park Walk
A gentle 4 mile circular walk in Wanstead Park, lakes and woodland on well maintained walking routes, tracks and paths.

Gifford Wood Walk
A good 5 mile official Epping Forest walking route from Lodge Road to Copped Hall, Upshire and Warlies Park to the new Gifford Wood and back.

Family Favourite Walk
An awesome 5 mile circular walk from Chingford taking in all of the best sights of this part of Epping Forest. Following the main walking routes this walk starts at Chingford Plain and takes you to High Beach, Loughton Camp, Kate's Cellar, Strawberry Hill Ponds, Connaught Water and the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.

Moderate Longer Walks

These walks are typically between 5 to 10 miles long and can be quite challenging. These types of walks can take between 3 to 5 hours to complete at a good walking pace. Epping Forest has a myriad of pathways so always make sure you have a paper or digital map with you and take refreshments and plenty of liquids with you to keep hydrated. There are plenty of Epping Forest Fallow Deer, Muntjacs and other wildlife to be found on these walking routes so it is always worth keeping as quite as you can to avoid scaring them off before you get to see them!

Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge to High Beach and back via the Epping Forest Green Ride walking routes.

Chingford Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Chingford to the famous Epping Forest Bikers Cafe.

Pole Hill Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Chingford to Pole Hill Obelisk and back via the Epping Forest Centenary Walk.

Gilwell Park Walk
A good 6 mile circular walk around Gilwell Park, home of the Scout Association, with a Secret Bluebell Wood Video as an extra bonus!

High Beach Church Walk
A simple 7 mile circular walk from Chingford to High Beach Church and back via the Centenary Walk, one of Epping Forest's most well known walking routes.

Oak Trail Walk
A gentle 7 mile circular walk along The Oak Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, including buffer lands, deer sanctuary and Ambresbury Banks.

High Beach Walk
A good 7 mile circular High Beach walk from Connaught Water in Chingford including a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.

Upshire Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk from High Beach, in the heart of Epping Forest, following The Forest Way walking routes through to Upshire and Copped Hall Gardens.

Waltham Abbey Walk
A leisurely 7 mile circular walk from Waltham Abbey through the Epping Forest Lee Valley Park walking routes and the Royal Gunpowder Mills.

Chipping Ongar Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk in Chipping Ongar starting at the unique Log Church in Greensted following the Essex Way walking routes and back via the Three Forest Way to Ongar Castle Motte and Baileys.

Jacks Hill Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk from Jacks Hill in Theydon Bois including a visit to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary.

Kates Cellar Walk
A decent 7 mile circular walk starting and finishing in Chingford, exploring Epping Forest's Kate's Cellar at Loughton Camp.

Ambresbury Banks Walk
A solid 8 mile circular walk from High Beach to Ambresbury Banks Fort and then following the main Epping Forest walking routes to Loughton Camp near Loughton.

Essex Way to Epping Walk
A solid 8 mile linear walk along The Essex Way walking routes from Chipping Ongar to the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest.

Deer Sanctuary Walk
A solid 9 mile circular walk starting in Debden following popular walking routes to Abridge, Theydon Bois and then back via the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary at Birch Hall.

Epping Green Walk
An easy 9 mile linear walk starting in Epping Green following The Forest Way walking routes to the Centenary Way and ending at Chingford Plains.

Hainault Forest Country Park Walk
An easy 9 mile linear walk from Hainault Forest Country Park folloowing the Three Forests Way and London Loop walking routes to Chingford.

Waltham Abbey to Epping Walk
An epic 9 mile linear walk from Waltham Cross to Epping Town via Waltham Abbey and Epping Forest following the historic Green Lanes walking routes.

Good Long Walks

These walks are typically over 10 miles where you can really immerse yourself in Epping Forest and try some of the lesser known walking routes and hidden treasures, taking in as many as you can on a day long walk. Always be fully prepared for good long walks and long distance walking routes taking plenty of fluids, refreshments and plenty of plasters just in case!

Copped Hall Walk
A great 10 mile circular walk from Loughton to Copped Hall House, using some of the most popular walking routes in Epping Forest.

Loughton Walk
A solid 10 mile circular walk from Loughton to Jack's Hill and Copped Hall House following well known Epping Forest walking routes.

Gifford Wood Walk - Extended
A good 10 mile official Epping Forest walking route from extended from Theydon Bois to the start at Lodge Road to Copped Hall, Upshire and Warlies Park to the new Gifford Wood and back down to Theydon Bois via the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary.

Abridge Walk
An easy 11 mile circular walk from Hainault Forest Country Park to Abridge and back folowing popular Essex walking routes.

Queen Boudicca Walk
An epic 12 mile circular walk, and one of my Epping Forest favourite walking routes, from Epping Town to Ambresbury Banks and the Queen Boudicca Obelisk with plenty of sightings of the Epping Forest Fallow Deer at Copped Hall.

Theydon Bois Walk
A solid 13 mile circular walk from Theydon Bois following The Essex Way walking routes to the Roman Road and Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve.

Epping Forest District Walk
An easy 14 miles circular walk from Epping Station to Birching Coppice, North Weald Bassett, Hastingwood and back via Thornwood. This is another of my favourite Epping Forest walking routes.

The Forest Way Walk
The Forest Way is a 25 mile long distance linear walk along the walking routes, footpaths and green lanes of Epping Forest and Hatfield Forest.

Walking Routes
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Spring Walks In Epping Forest

Best New Spring Walks In Epping Forest For 2013

Epping Forest receives nearly 5 million visits each year and Spring is a great time to visit these ancient woodlands. Here is a round up of what is new in Epping Forest for 2013 which make great Spring walks.

Epping Forest - The best place to start your walks

One of the best places to start your walk in Epping Forest is Chingford, Essex, where there are plenty of trains from Liverpool Street Station in central London or Loughton, Essex, which is situated on the London Underground Central Line and only a short walk is required before entering the forest near Loughton Camp and High Beach.

Although High Beach has just redeveloped its areas for car parking it gets extremely busy at the weekends so I find that Chingford is better for parking. There is also a new Forest Gateway complex in Chingford, at Dannet's Hill, including its new and very impressive visitors centre at Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge and Butler's Retreat Cafe, where you can sit for refreshments and check out the view over Chingford Plain and surrounding Epping Forest.

Gifford Wood

The Gifford Wood Appeal aims to plant 4,500 trees on a new 5 acre site recently acquired by the City of London in Upshire, extending the forest by planting new trees and creating new woodlands for the benefit of both wildlife and walkers. You can see the full walk here Gifford Wood walking route where I spent an enjoyable few hours in Epping Forest in an area well known for seeing the Epping Forest Fallow Deer.

Connaught Water

There is now a new accessible path around the margins of the lake which is suitable for the whole family to spend a very leisurely hour walking around Connaught Water and not get muddy! Connaught Water is also the start of the Willow Trail walking route which is a fully waymarked easy 3 mile walk.

Epping Forest websites and events for Spring 2013

The Epping Forest District Tourism Partnership launched a new website developed to provide information on places to visit, eat and stay and how to get to the different attractions within the area with a regularly updated 'What's On' section. You can also visit the official City of London website here.

For the full list of best new Spring walks and events in Epping Forest for 2013 click here and visit here for over 30 walks in Epping Forest .

Walks And Walking - Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks

Walks And Walking - Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks

Walks And Walking - Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks

I always find that after miles of walking finding a beautiful church in a rural setting is like finding an oasis in the desert. Most of the walking routes I plan always seem to include a visit to a church and you'll see from the majority of church walks that I have posted on this website that there are many photographs of churches and chapels.

So, if you like a good church walk as much as I do then here are some of the most tranquil ambling spots to visit as compiled by the Churches Conservation Trust (CTT). Pull up a pew and take sanctuary in an ancient historic church preserved by the CTT, and listen to the calming hum of nature pass you by…

Walks And Walking - Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks - St Stephens Coastal Walk North Yorkshire

St Stephen’s Coastal Walk – North Yorkshire

St Stephen’s has stood majestically upon Robin Hood’s Bay since 1821. Echoing its ocean views, the church is engulfed in nautical history with graves bestowing tragic tales of forlorn seamen lost at sea. Walk from St Stephens’s church to Robin Hood’s Bay and see the stunning coastal views which are great for families wanting to combine culture and entertainment.

Expect to see: Breath-taking coastal and seaside views
Walking Distance: 1.2 miles, 26 minutes
Walk Suitable for: Families
St Stephen’s Church Walks – Fylingdales, North Yorkshire, YO22 4PN

Walks And Walking - Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks - St Michaels Historical Countryside Walk Shropshire

St Michael’s Historical Countryside Walk – Shropshire

This hidden gem sits in a quiet, idyllic valley west of Bridgnorth. With its stone walls and moss-covered roof this Norman church looks as much a part of the landscape as the trees that surround it. St Michael’s Church is located on an Elizabethan estate and is less than half a mile away from Upton Cressett Hall and Gardens, one of Britain’s most exquisite Tudor Houses. This walk is perfect for heritage enthusiasts and picnics.

Expect to see: Charming village scenes in a traditional countryside setting
Walking distance: 0.5 miles, 15 minutes from St Michael’s to Upton Cressett Hall and Gardens
Walk suitable for: Romantic amblers
St Michael’s Church Walks – Upton Cressett, Shropshire, WV16 6UH

Walks And Walking - Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks - St Michaels and St Martins Riverside Meander Gloucestershire

St Michael’s & St Martin’s Riverside Meander – Gloucestershire

This picture postcard medieval church is nestled on the edge of the river Leach. Perfect for a leisurely walk along the banks of the meandering river to Horseshoe Lake, St Michael’s & St Martin’s is just a stone’s throw from its sister church at Eastleach Turville on the opposite bank.

Expect to see: Idyllic scenery that inspired poet John Keble
Walking distance: 3.9 Miles, 1 hour 18 minutes
Walk suitable for: More ambitious walkers
St Martin’s & St Michael’s Church Walks – Eastleach Martin, Gloucestershire, GL7

Walks And Walking - Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks - St Andrews Hilltop to Reservoir Walk Northumberland

St Andrew’s Hilltop to Reservoir Walk – Northumberland

Perched on Grey Mare Hill, keen hikers and photographers alike will appreciate the ambitious 289m climb to reach St Andrew’s, Shotley, and its rewarding breath-taking views.

Expect to see: Awe-inspiring panoramic views
Walking distance: 3.4 miles, 1 hour 11 minutes
Walk suitable for: Hikers
St Andrew’s Church Walks – Shotley, Northumberland, DH8 9SJ

Walks And Walking - Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks - All Saints Bluebell Woodlands Walk Oxfordshire

All Saints’ Bluebell Woodlands Walk – Oxfordshire

All Saints’ Church, Nuneham Courtney is a jewel in the heart of the Nuneham Park House grounds. Overlooking the Thames, the 1760s church is a monument to wealth and taste, with dazzling Italian fittings, magnificent memorial sculptures and busts. Just a 30 minute walk away is Bluebell Wood, an enchanted forest filled with springtime flowers.

Expect to see: A carpet of bluebells and wildflower meadows in late April and May
Walking distance: 1.6 miles, 32 minutes from All Saints’ to Bluebell Wood
Walk suitable for: Families
All Saints’ Church Walks – Nuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire, OX44 9PQ

St Mary’s Norman Town Walk – Kent

Dating back as far as the Saxon era, St Mary’s, Higham, is steeped in history from Norman influences to Benedictine nuns. The church is only four miles from the centre of Rochester for visitors wishing to combine country and town visits with a pleasant Kent walk across the marshlands. Continue the Norman theme and stop by the impressive fortress of Rochester Castle.

Expect to see: Ancient Norman ruins along your way.
Walking distance: 4.6 Miles, 1 hour 33 minutes – St Mary’s Church to Rochester Castle
Suitable for: Active walkers
St Mary’s Church Walks – Higham, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7LS

St Mary’s Nature Walk – Hampshire

This dazzling and colourful Victorian jewel of a church overwhelms the senses. A truly exhilarating building, tall and imposing, St Mary’s, Itchen Stoke was inspired by the soaring elegance of 13th-century Sainte Chapelle in Paris, chapel of French kings. Walk alongside the exquisite Alresford sluices to nearby Old Alresford Pond, a medieval oasis well worth investigating in this gorgeous Hampshire walk.

Expect to see: Otters and wildfowl
Walking Distance: 2.2 Miles, 43 Minutes
Suitable for: Families
St Mary’s Church Walks - Itchen Stoke, Hampshire, SO24 0QU

St Mary’s Rural Walk – Somerset

If legend is to be believed, St Mary’s, Stocklinch Ottersey, and close by St Magdalene’s were built by two sisters vying for the affections of their local vicar. St Mary’s stands on an old water source, one of Somerset’s many healing wells, and is an hour’s stroll away from Barrington Court, a National Trust Tudor House with stunning grounds and a fascinating past making it a Somerset walk to remember.

Expect to see: Wonderful tombs and monuments
Walking distance: 2.3 Miles, 48 Minutes
Suitable for: Families
St Mary’s Church Walks - Stocklinch Ottersey, Somerset, TA19 9JN

St Mary’s Stately Walk – Hampshire

This prairie church is said to be all that remains of the Norman Gains Castle. Take in Mottisfont Estate, a glorious National Trust property and gallery set in beautiful riverside gardens, the village of King’s Sorbonne and stately Compton Park.

Expect to see: Countryside vistas that inspired Jane Austen
Walking distance: 6.1 miles, 2 hours
Suitable for: Active walkers
St Mary’s Church Walks - Ashley, Kings Somborne, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6RJ

St Peter’s Classic Cambridge Walk – Cambridge

Ideally located for a day out in Cambridge, this simple building is a haven of tranquillity from the busy streets around it. Walk the outskirts of the city and take in all that Cambridge has to offer from stunning views of the river to the historic university buildings.

Expect to see: Coe Fen meadowland and River Cam
Walking distance: 2.5 miles, 50 minutes
Suitable for: Families and sightseers
St Peter’s Church Walks - Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AJ

About the Churches Conservation Trust

Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is the national charity protecting historic churches at risk. The charity has saved over 340 beautiful buildings which attract almost 2 million visitors a year.

Established under Ecclesiastical Law on 1 April 1969 the charity receives its churches in the form of ‘vesting’s’ from the Church Commissioners. All CCT’s churches remain consecrated and are often used for occasional worship.

CCT works with local people to bring historic churches back into the heart of the community and use as a social, tourism, educational or cultural resource. CCT’s care of Grade I and II buildings has given it an international reputation in heritage conservation and regeneration.

Chairman of the Trust is Loyd Grossman OBE FSA, who was appointed in 2007. Crispin Truman is Chief Executive.

You can follow CCT on twitter here and the official website is here.