History of Epping Forest

Location of Epping Forest

• 9 km from central London

• 4 km wide by 19km long• 3, 195.8 Hectares large

= 7,897 Acres= 31.96 km2

What are the Habitats in Epping Forest?

A Forest is defined as an area belonging to the crown

Woodland (Ancient and Secondary) Lowland Heathland

Freshwater (Ponds, Springs and Streams)

Grassland

What was the Forest used for pre 1800?

• Wood Collection- Lopping by commoners

This system is called Woodland Pasture

• Royal Hunting Forest (deer)

• Rough grazing by commoners cattle and horses

Historical uses of the Forest

• Charcoal Production

• Recreation– Visits by local people– Royal hunting ground

Managing wood collectionThere were 2 ways of logging for woodCoppicing Pollarding

Pollarding was mostly used in the forest as new shoots would be out of reach from grazing deer and cattle

Cut at 2m from the groundCut at 0.75m from the

ground

What happened in the 1800’s?

• Industrial revolution• Rapid expansion of

London • Areas of Epping forest

enclosed for private use

Then what happened?

In 1878 Queen Victoria passed the Epping Forest Act.

• City of London managed Epping

Forest by:

1. Maintaining open space for recreation2. Maintaining ‘natural aspect’ of forest

Key Questions for visit

1. What attracts people to Epping Forest ?2. What activities do people do in Epping Forest ?3. What Impacts do people have on Epping Forest ?4. What are the strategies to manage these

impacts?