Our annual event, the Epping Forest Big Walk, will be returning this year on Sunday 15th September! Whether you are a first-timer or a returning walker, join 200 people from all walks of life to walk through the wonderful Epping Forest, get to know this rare surviving piece of ancient woodland, and celebrate its irreplaceable biodiversity, culture, and heritage.
Guided by our volunteer walk leaders, you will walk the 14 miles from Manor Park in Newham to Bell Common in Epping, with talks about the Forest along the way, as well as three refreshment breaks.
🌳 Sign up today
Amazed at the sheer size and diversity of this incredible place. The organisers are really welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable about the forest. The organisation and stewarding were excellent so you could chat or simply walk without the distraction of wayfinding
Brilliant way to explore the gem on our doorstep and meet interesting people. Minimal carbon footprint to boot!
Enjoy different conversations with a diverse group of people while enjoying this glorious ancient green space with others who clearly share a love of the outdoors
Previously known as ‘The Centenary Walk’, the route covers the whole length of the Forest starting from Manor Park in Newham and going all the way to Epping in Essex. It was first established in 1978 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Epping Forest Act in 1878. It is now one of the biggest annual events celebrating Epping Forest and its heritage.
Organised with support from the Corporation of London Epping Forest team, the Big Walk enables you to walk the length of Epping Forest, in a day. Everyone is welcome to join this celebratory walk!
🌳 Sign up today to join the 2024 walk
The biggest open space in London, Epping Forest stretches across four local authorities: Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest in London and Epping Forest District in Essex. It is home to over 55,000 ancient trees, more than anywhere else in the country. It is designated as an area of national and international nature conservation importance and contains a diverse mosaic of habitats.
It also has a rich history of interaction between people and nature, where ecology, culture and heritage interweave. From ancient lopping practices to people coming together and fighting to save Epping Forest in Victorian times, the reason Epping Forest is such a precious and irreplaceable place is because of people’s involvement with the Forest throughout the centuries.