Epping Forest

Epping Forest is a 2,400ha area of ancient woodland between Epping in the north and Wanstead in the south, straddling the border between Greater London and Essex. It is a former royal forest, and is managed by the City of London Corporation. An area of 1,728ha is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. It gives its name to the Epping Forest local government district, which covers part of it.The forest is approximately long in the north-south direction, but no more than from east to west at its widest point, and in most places considerably narrower. It lies on a ridge between the valleys of the rivers Lea and Roding. It contains areas of woodland, grassland, heath, rivers, bogs and ponds, and its elevation and thin gravelly soil (the result of glaciation) historically made it unsuitable for agriculture.HistoryEarly history to 17th centuryThe name "Epping Forest" was first recorded in the 17th century; prior to this it was known as Waltham Forest (which gives its name to the present-day London Borough of Waltham Forest, which covers part of the modern forest).