Epping (England)

Separated from England's capital city by Epping Forest - almost 6,000 acres of ancient woodland - Epping is a historic market town in Essex. Despite being in London's Travelcard Zone 6, the town is surrounded by forest to the north and south, and green fields to the west and east. Epping is built on the ridge between the Roding and Lee Valleys, and its countryside walks offer glimpses of the skyscrapers in Central London and Canary Wharf. The town's own High Street is lined with shops, cafes, pubs and - on Mondays - market stalls.

Understand

Along with its ancient forest, Epping also lends its name to the surrounding local government district - Epping Forest. The nearby villages Epping Green and Epping Upland also share the town's name.

The town of Epping may have roots as far back as 7500 BC, according to the town council. Roman coins have been found in the town, dating back to between 81 and 96 AD. Legend says Celtic queen Boudicca died in battle at Ambresbury Banks, in the forest. Epping Forest District Museum says that sadly, there is no evidence to support this claim.

King Henry III signed Epping's first market charter in 1253 - which permitted the Abbott of Waltham Abbey to hold a market on Mondays. Queen Elizabeth I (1575), King Charles II (1683) and King George V (1930) have also signed more recent Epping Market charters.

Today, the town is in the London commuter belt, with its own tube station at the eastern terminus of the Central line.

Get in

By train

Epping is the eastern terminus of the Central line, it also has the largest car park on the London Underground making it a popular commuter town.

🌍 Epping Tube station is in London's Zone 6. At the eastern end of the Central Line  CEN , you can get to Stratford, London Liverpool St in the City of London, the West End and West London direct. Transport for London has a fare finder.

By road

The B1393 is the main road through Epping town centre. Major routes nearby include:

  • The M11 (London - Cambridge) - Access via junction 7 near Harlow
  • The M25 (London Orbital) - Access via junction 26 near Waltham Abbey
  • The A104 south of Epping, with connections to Woodford and East London
  • The A121 south of Epping, with connections to Waltham Cross and Loughton
  • The A414 north of Epping, with connections to Harlow and Chelmsford

By bus

Most bus routes in town call at Epping tube station. Routes include:

  • 13 - to Waltham Cross
  • 418 - to Loughton
  • 420 - to Harlow and Ongar

By bike

A network of bike trails and bridleways connect Epping with London, through Epping Forest. Narrow cycle lanes runs alongside the A104 between Woodford and the Wake Arms roundabout, south of Epping.

By air

🌍 Stansted Airport (STN IATA) is in Essex, approximately 15 miles north of Epping. It is accessed by road via the B1393 and M11 motorway.

Get around

By car

There are car parks in the town centre, including at Bakers Lane, the Civic Offices and behind St John's Church, and at Epping tube station.

By foot

The walk from Epping tube station to the town centre is up a steep hill. The town centre itself is small. Woodland and countryside walks are signposted.

See
  • 🌍 Epping Ongar Railway, Station Approach, Ongar, CM5 9BN (closest station is in nearby North Weald; access by road is off North Weald High Street, via Station Road; heritage buses link Epping Ongar Railway with Epping tube station  CEN ), ☏ +44 1277 365200. Once part of the London Underground Central Line, the Epping Ongar Railway is a heritage railway between North Weald and Ongar. You can ride preserved steam and diesel trains on various days per week throughout the year. Typically no trains in November and January. Check online timetables. Adult day ticket £18, child £1. (updated Mar 2024)
  • 🌍 Copped Hall, CM16 5HR (access via Crown Hill, south of Epping), . Open for events only. This Georgian mansion has been owned by a trust since 1995 and a long-term restoration project is taking place. Copped Hall and its gardens are private, but a catalogue of events open to the public is available on the Copped Hall Trust website. (updated Jun 2023)
  • 🌍 Hill Hall, Theydon Mount, CM16 7QQ (approximately three miles south-east of Epping, between Epping and Stapleford Tawney). Elizabethan mansion managed by English Heritage. Much of it has been divided into private apartments, however, a portion is open for pre-booked public tours. (updated Jun 2023)

Do
  • 🌍 Walk, cycle or ride through Epping Forest (Epping is bounded by forest to its north and south, with access by foot, bike or car from Epping town centre, and various stations on the  CEN  line), ☏ +44 20 8508 0028, . Almost 6,000 acres of forest protected in law - by the Epping Forest Act 1878. Footpaths and bridleways criss-cross the ancient woodland, which features nearly 55,000 veteran trees, 9 species of native reptiles and amphibians, and 28 species of butterfly. The Epping Forest Visitor Centre is at High Beach, south of Epping, complete with a car park and views over the Lee Valley. Free. (updated Jun 2023)
  • 🌍 North Weald Airfield (approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) north-east of Epping). Historic frontline Battle of Britain airfield which dates back to 1916. Still operational but now privately operated by Epping Forest District Council. Home to North Weald Airfield Museum and a war memorial. Several onsite flying clubs and private collections of classic aircraft. Well-established venue for rallies and concerts. (updated Jun 2023)
  • 🌍 The Oak Trail (tube: Theydon Bois  CEN ; the trail begins at the north end of Forest Drive). A 6.6 mi (10.6 km) hike through the countryside and woods just outside London, passing by a deer sanctuary and the Iron Age earthwork of Ambresbury Banks. The trail forms a loop, starting and ending in the village of Theydon Bois, and most of it is signed with yellow arrows. It's green, peaceful, and makes a lovely change of pace from city life in London. Parts of the trail can get muddy, so it's a good idea to wear boots. (updated Oct 2020)
  • 🌍 Epping Forest District Museum, 39-41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EL (in Waltham Abbey, approximately 6 mi (9.7 km) west of Epping; access by road or bus from the town), ☏ +44 1992 716882. M-W F Sa 10AM-4PM. Free (donations accepted). (updated Jun 2023)

Buy
  • 🌍 Epping Market (Epping High Street). Monday daytime. A variety of food, farmers' produce, homeware, clothing and bric-a-brac stalls along Epping High Street. The Monday market dates back to 1253 and a charter signed by King Henry III. (updated Jun 2023)
  • 🌍 North Weald Market, North Weald Market, North Weald Airfield, CM16 6HR. More than 300 independent traders set up shop at North Weald Market at the airfield on Saturdays and bank holidays. With plenty to choose from — fashion, street food, homeware and farmers' produce — organisers say there's #SomethingForEveryone. (updated Jun 2023)

Eat

Breakfast and brunch
  • 🌍 Belgique, 242-244 High Street, Epping, CM16 4AP, ☏ +44 1992 574642. Daily 8AM-5PM. Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas. Eat in and take away options, accompanied by coffee. (updated Jun 2023)
  • 🌍 Harleys Bistro and Lounge, 184 High Street, Epping, CM16 4AQ, ☏ +44 1992 560533. Opening hours vary. For brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks. (updated Jun 2023)

Lunch and dinner

Drink

Sleep

Connect

Epping and its approach roads have 4G coverage from all UK carriers. As of June 2023, 5G is available on some networks, including Three and EE, but not all.

Go next
  • London, south of Epping, is England's capital city, complete with its famous museums, galleries, theatres and nightlife
  • West Ruislip is Epping's opposite number — the Central Line's westernmost terminus. At 34 miles, it's the longest possible journey on a single London Underground line
  • Chelmsford — Essex's county town
  • Saffron Walden is another historic market town in west Essex. Explore historic streets, visit Audley End House and Gardens, or shop and eat out at all hours of the day in this vibrant English town
  • Cambridge, which approximately 45 minutes up the M11, is a world-famous university city
Routes through Epping
City of London ← East London ←  W  E  → END
Cambridge ← Old Harlow ←  N  S  → East London
West London ← Potters Bar ←  anticlockwise  clockwise  → Brentwood → Dartford
Hatfield ← Harlow ←  W  E  → Chelmsford → Maldon


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