What's new in Epping Forest
Oak processionary moths (OPM)
From now until August, it's the season for oak processionary moths.
These caterpillars not only strip oak trees of leaves but can also be a health risk to humans.
OPM can be identified through processions of caterpillars, silk trails and silk nests on the trunks or branches of oak trees.
Their hairs can cause unpleasant skin, eye and throat irritations in people and animals. While these effects are usually temporary, they can be severe in some cases.
Please do not touch or disturb the caterpillars. When left alone they pose little threat.
Early detection is critical to effective control. Sightings should be reported using TreeAlert.
To help monitor and control this invasive pest in Epping Forest, please could you also report any sighting via our survey.
Historic milestone restored in Epping Forest
On 11 May, we celebrated the restoration of the 'London 15' milestone in Epping Forest.
This milestone, which is located on Bell Common in Epping, has been lovingly restored by Jimmy Waters of the Milestone Society and stonemason Stan Reynolds.
Milestones date back to ancient Rome, where they were used to mark distances along roads, often to facilitate the movement of soldiers and supplies.
The project was also supported by our friends at Epping Town Council. We're delighted to work in partnership with all those involved to support the wonderful restoration of one of the Forest's roadside heritage features. Our grateful thanks to all involved.
Open Air theatre returns to Epping Forest
This summer, the Open Air theatre season is back in Epping Forest.
The first performance is A Midsummer Night's Dream in June, presented by The East London Shakespeare Festival.
For further details and tickets please visit the ELSF website.
Throughout July and August, there will be performances of Pinocchio, The Three Musketeers and The Pirates of Penzance, presented by Illyria, the award-winning outdoor theatre company.
“At its best, theatre is shared storytelling," said Oliver Gray, Illyria's artistic director. "And to experience this in the open air is uniquely special.”
For further details and tickets please visit the Illyria website.
All shows will be set against the backdrop of the Temple in Wanstead Park.
We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment!
Performance times:
A Midsummer Night's Dream:
Sat, 13 June. Matinee show starts at 3pm (gates open from 2pm), evening show starts at 7pm (gates open from 6.15pm)
Pinocchio:
Sat, 4 July at 3pm
The Three Musketeers:
Sun, 26 July at 7pm
The Pirates of Penzance:
Sun, 30 August at 7pm
Address: The Temple Enclosure, London, E11 2LS
Summer show 2026
Are you an artist or creative inspired by Epping Forest? If so, why not submit a piece of artwork to our annual Summer show.
The theme this year is ‘colour and vibrancy’. Perhaps consider how colour and light interact and change with the seasons. The brightness of summer, the starkness of winter or simply a close-up detail. Let your imagination run wild!
Download the submission form below or pick one up from the Epping Forest Visitor Centre in Chingford, which is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm.
Address: 6 Rangers Road, Chingford, E4 7QH. Tel: 020 7332 1911
There will be a £5 entry fee payable at the front desk.
Deadline for submissions is Sunday 28 June 2026
Epping Forest Visitor Guide 2026
Visitor information, event details and four seasonal walks.
Events
Find out what's on via our Epping Forest Eventbrite page.
Epping Forest Official Map and Short Walks book
Did you know that the Epping Forest Official Map and Short walks in Epping Forest book are available to order online, as well as from our visitor centres?
Horse-riding
Open riding in Epping Forest commences for 2026 from 00:01 on Friday 17 April.
See our horse-riding in Epping Forest page, for full riding information.
Car parks opening hours
The Epping Forest car parks are currently open 7:00am - 8:00pm.
From Monday 15 September 2026, this will change to 7:00am - 6:30pm.
Chairman's Column
Read our latest Chairman's column published in the Epping Forest Guardian.
Skylark conservation areas return to Wanstead Flats.
Throughout March, male skylarks establish their territories, and our conservation measures aim to provide the space they need - free from disturbance - to nest successfully. These incredible birds are London’s closest returning ground-nesting species.
Epping Forest Keepers and Wren Wildlife & Conservation Group have installed temporary ropes and signs to help protect these vital nesting areas.
The main path between the two nesting zones will remain open - once installed please use this route or walk around the roped areas to help safeguard these special birds.
Thank you for giving skylarks the space they need to thrive!
To learn more watch our City of London YouTube - Conserving Skylarks on Wanstead Flats.
Habitat Restoration Programme 2025-26 underway
The Habitat Restoration Programme is our extensive, multi-year project to enhance biodiversity and restore the Forest's diverse mosaic of habitats. You can read all about the areas, aims and timelines on our dedicated webpage. You can also browse our interactive StoryMaps which give you an immersive look at the work being carried out and what it will achieve.
Help us fight fly-tipping
Dealing with fly-tips across Epping Forest takes up 10% of our charity's budget every year - hundreds of thousands of pounds that should be spent on conserving the Forest for the benefit of all.
Visit our web page for more details on how we're combatting this scourge on the landscape, or follow our progress on social media.
Things affecting your visit
Maintenance
- Tree safety and reactive works - Forest-wide.
- Tree safety works - highways, multiple sites.
- Grasslands - Wanstead sports pitch cutting.
- Jubilee Pond borehole pump repair - starts 1 June. The repair work depends on weather and ground conditions and is to ensure the water level remains steady.
General notices
- Open riding as of 17 April 2026
- Fishing closed season 15 March - 15 June 2026.
- Railway Field closed to public access
- Our cattle are grazing throughout Epping Forest. You can use this tracker to see their location or find out more on our grazing page
- You can find things to do in the Forest on our Eventbrite page
Volunteer Tasks
Epping Forest Volunteers
Highams Park Snedders
Highams Park Snedders - no tasks.
Epping Forest Heritage Trust
Green Team - Thursday 4th June - High Beach sycamores.
Happy Loppers - Friday 5th June - Debden Slade, small hollies.
Green Team 2 - Friday 5th June - Barn Hoppitt, snowberry digging out roots.
Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers
Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers - no tasks.
Wren Conservation Group
Wren Conservation Group - Thursdays and Sundays in Wanstead Park.
Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee
Read the monthly updates from the Epping Forest Chairman on our dedicated webpage.
Forest Focus
A monthly newsletter to keep you up to date on the what's happening across the year.
- Forest Focus February 2026
- Forest Focus January 2026
- Forest Focus December 2025
- Forest Focus October 2025
- Forest Focus September 2025
- Forest Focus August 2025
- Forest Focus July 2025
- Forest Focus June 2025
- Forest Focus May 2025
- Forest Focus April 2025
- Forest Focus March 2025
- Forest Focus February 2025
- Forest Focus January 2025
- Forest Focus December 2024
- Forest Focus November 2024
- Forest Focus October 2024
- Forest Focus September 2024
- Forest Focus August 2024
- Forest Focus July 2024
- Forest Focus June 2024
- Forest Focus May 2024
To receive future editions as soon as they're published, please sign up to our newsletter.