Sports, events and activities

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    cylcing events in Epping Forest

    ​Enjoy a guided bike ride in the Forest on 26 May

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    Family Learning Events at Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge

    Come along and learn about birds of prey this May Half Term at The View and Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge​

Epping Forest events 2013

Epping Forest offer a varied, annual programme of events  (4.3mb)throughout the Forest. There are guided walks and bike rides, craft activities, learning events, heritage events, art exhibitions, seasonal events, talks and lectures and an open-air theatre season at The Temple, Wanstead Park in the summer.

Most of our events are free of charge, however some may be subject to a small charge to cover running costs. It is hoped that our events will provide Forest fun for the local community and will encourage people to either find out about Epping Forest for the first time, or for those who already know the Forest, to deepen their knowledge and understanding. Many events are drop-in events, whilst some require booking in advance. Have a look at our events dairy for 2013 (8mb) for a full run down of what is happening and when.

Lord Mayor's Tree Party

The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of London welcomes Epping Forest visitors to attend his Tree Party to be held at Mansion House on 25 June 2013. Starting at 6.30pm this will be a celebratory tree-themed evening of champagne, canapes, music and theatre to raise funds for the Gifford Wood Appeal. For further invitation about tickets please visit the Lord Mayor's Appeal website or tel: 020 7246 4021.

Bookable evening events at The View

Find out about our new programme of bookable evening events at The View here.

Illyria open air theatre events at The Temple, Wanstead Park this summer 

Find out about our open air theatre events planned for the summer here

Come to our Half Term Family Learning Events in May at The View

Find out the details of our May half term family events here.

Regular events

Throughout the year the following events will run every week:

Every Thursday all year

Time: 10am-11am

Walk: Epping Forest Health Walk

Meet point: Bury Road car park

Free but booking required.

Tel. 020 8508 0028

Every Saturday all year 9am (for up to 45 minutes)

Run: Wanstead Flats parkrun-5km

Meet point: Harrow Road, Wanstead Flats Playing Fields

Free

www.parkrun.org.uk/wanstead-flats/home

Run by: Wanstead Flats Park run Volunteer Team

You can look at our weekly works programme here.

Field Studies Centre

The Epping Forest Field Studies Centre in High Beach offers a wide range of courses for adults, children and families across the whole year. Courses offered for adults include all aspects of the local environment, learning about the countryside, its wildlife and the environment. Many are suitable for those wanting to find out more about the local area and some for those with a professional interest. Courses include, Spring and Autumn Walks, Discovering Bats, Discovering Wild Flowers, Painting and Drawing in Epping Forest and Natural History of Veteran Trees.

Other events and activities

Many other organisations hold events and guided walks throughout Epping Forest (licensed by the City of London).

Epping Forest offers many opportunities to enjoy various sporting activities, including, walking, running, cycling, horse riding, angling, football, golf and athletics. Almost 100km (60 miles) of surfaced and un-surfaced trails provide access to woodland, ponds and open country with a variety of flora and fauna.

We run user forums for those who enjoy a particular activity within the Forest including anglers, cyclists, dog walkers, horse-riders, runners and walkers. Find out more about the Epping Forest Forums and learn about opportunities to get involved and have your say.

You can find out details of the fabulous Illyria open air theatre ​productions planned for this summer here.

Find out what's happening in April below. 

May 2013

​Saturday 25 May 7pm–8.30pm

Walk: A Ramble around the Rhododendrons

Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach 

Forest Keeper, Tristan Vetta, leads a walk through the historic Paul’s Nursery area of the Forest, taking a look at some of the site’s unusual rhododendrons. 

Tel. 020 7332 1911 

Sunday 26 May 10.45am–4pm

Bike ride: Epping Forest

Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge 

Forest Keeper, Ian Greer, will lead a bike ride through the Forest, exploring its many tracks and trails. 

Tel. 020 7332 1911  

Wednesday 29 May 1pm–4pm

Family event: Birds of Prey (Owls)

The View  

Several different species of owl live in Epping Forest. Find out about these beautiful, mysterious birds and have fun taking part in our owl-themed craft activity. 

Tel. 020 7332 1911 

Friday 31 May 1pm–4pm

Family Event: Birds of Prey (Hunting with Hawks) 

Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge  

Falconry was a popular pastime in Medieval and Tudor times. Learn about the raptors that live in the wild in Epping Forest today. Make your own hawk. We hope to have a falconer at this event.  

Tel. 020 7332 1911 

June 2013

Saturday 1 June 10am-2pm

Volunteer Task: Connaught Water

Connaught Water car park

Help build a floating reed bed between the two large islands.

Tel. 020 7332 1911

Sunday 2 June 10.30am-12.30pm

Walk: Forest Keeper Monthly Walk

The Temple

Join one of the southern Forest Keepers for an early summer walk.  

Tel. 020 7332 1911

Friday 7 June 12pm-2.30pm

Walk: Wood Pasture Wonders

Bury Road car park

Part of the British Ecological Society Festival of Ecology. Join the Forest's Ecologists for a walk through the wood pasture looking for nature.

Tel. 020 7332 1911

Sunday 9 June 2pm-4pm

Walk: Heyday and Holidays

Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge

A Heritage walk led by Steve Denford of the Heritage and Information team about the Forest retreats, the lively places of refreshment that historically served Forest visitors, Bank holiday Londoners, ragged school children and local people from late Victorian times to today.

Tel 020 7332 1911 

Find more details of the events coming up in our events diary at the top of this page. 


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