Epping brings together the market and historic buildings of the High Street with the landscape of Epping Forest. Options range from a stay focused on local history to days spent exploring forest paths and taking longer walks. If you would like to combine both, the town has a weekly market and is also the starting point of the Essex Way. Epping is also known as the “Town of the Forest” because of its connection to the forest.
Market and Architectural History in Epping
In 1253, Epping was granted the right to hold a weekly market. Epping Market takes place on Mondays, including bank holidays, and stretches along the entire length of the High Street. Listed buildings, mostly dating from the 18th century, stand on both sides of the street. The market and historic façades thus shape the same street; a Monday market offers a different focus from a stay devoted mainly to individual guided tours.
The Church of St John the Baptist is listed as a Grade II* building. It was built by Bodley and Garner in 1889–91. The church is a prominent landmark in Epping and adds a later building to the architectural history of the High Street.
The Epping Town Show is also part of the annual events calendar. It is a community day featuring arena displays, fairground attractions and entertainment. If you would like to plan your stay around an event, you can make this annual date a reason for your trip.
Epping Forest and Outdoor Trails
The ancient Epping Forest is 13 miles long and stretches from Manor Park in east London to Epping in Essex. Since the Epping Forest Act of 1878, it has been preserved as an open space accessible to the public. The connection with the forest is so central to the town’s identity that Epping is also known as the “Town of the Forest”.
South of Epping, Bell Common and Epping Thicks form an area of dense mixed woodland and grassland. The two areas can be explored on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or with a dog. The walk from Epping station is approximately 1.8 kilometres. This provides a specific distance for planning a section of forest, while other trails in the forest have their own destinations and conditions.
Epping Long Green is an ancient green lane with far-reaching views over many miles. You can explore it on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or with a dog; wildlife along the way may include deer, dragonflies and skylarks. For nature enthusiasts, this trail combines landscapes with wildlife watching, while Bell Common and Epping Thicks are distinguished by their mix of woodland and grassland.
Epping Forest has more than 284 kilometres of trails, as well as numerous other paths for walking and running; the stated trail length may change. The Essex Way offers a different kind of route: the long-distance trail is 81 miles long, runs from Epping to Harwich and starts at Epping station. Epping is also the terminus of the London Underground’s Central line. This means a single stretch of forest, a long-distance trail and a rail arrival point can serve as different reference points when planning a trip.
Guided Tours and Other Excursions
Hill Hall is one of England’s earliest Renaissance houses. The house has exceptionally rare figurative wall paintings, which are among the most important in English Heritage’s collection. Parts of Hill Hall are accessible on pre-booked guided tours. The park sits on a high ridge and offers wide views across the landscape. A guided tour is therefore a specific point to plan for this visit; the views are part of the historic setting described here.
Copped Hall dates back to a deer park and country estate from the 12th century or earlier. The older parkland is listed as a Grade II* site, and the Walled Kitchen Garden is one of the largest kitchen gardens in Essex. Monthly guided tours include the gardens, parts of the mansion, the cellars and the stables. Check the dates in advance if you plan to include these areas in your stay.
Another option for an excursion is the Epping Ongar Railway. On most operating days, heritage buses run from Epping and Shenfield stations to the restored heritage railway stations. As operating days may vary, it is worth checking the timetable for your chosen dates.
When looking for a hotel in Epping, you can first decide what you want to focus on: the market and architectural history, forest trails, or a visit that requires planning a guided tour in advance. You can then factor the relevant dates and conditions into your stay.
Discover more destinations: Waltham Abbey, Gosfield, Weeley, Takeley, Harlow, Rayleigh, Hempstead, Rochford.
For the wider travel overview: Essex.
