Home to quaint suburban tree lined streets, the Forest Road neighbourhood is a lush pocket of the borough of Redbridge. While the houses might be nothing special, they are still relatively affordable and located near multiple highly rated schools. Locals can pop into Central London via the local Central line stop. Even so, visiting on a weekend, you’ll find few residents looking to venture far away. The neighbourhood is famous for its expansive Fairlop Waters Country Park, which covers the majority of the area. The park really has something for everyone. Whether it’s the 18 hole golf course, the sailing lake, high ropes and climbing facilities, or diverse wildlife - it’s no wonder that families are so drawn to the park and wider neighbourhood.

The surrounding Fairlop area got its name from a large lopped oak tree in the neighbourhood. In the 1700s, landowner Daniel Day began organising fairs on the land surrounding this oak tree. When Daniel Day died in 1767, he was buried in a coffin made from wood taken from the oak tree. Unfortunately, by the early 19th century, the tree had been blown over in the aftermath of a terrible fire. There was more to the neighbourhood than the oak tree though. With the arrival of the railway station in 1903, development picked up in the area. In World War II, an expansive area was repurposed and used as an aircraft base. Following the war, this land was converted into the beloved Fairlop Waters Golf Course and Country Park.

The famous Fairlop Fair used to be held in the neighbourhood each July, from as early as 1725. They started as events just for local employees but have expanded well beyond this. There is even a song written about the fair, known as the Fairlop Fair Song.

While the neighbourhood is connected to Central London via a tube station, it is unfortunately only serviced by the Central line. Known for overcrowded carriages when closer to central London, and rolling stock in dire need of air con, many locals opt for driving to work instead.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, it became clearer than ever that open green space is incredibly important for a happy and healthy life. As such, Redbridge Council are in the process of improving Fairlop Waters and adding an additional 250 acres to the park. With the help of Focus Consultants and 40 local residents, the council drafted a masterplan in 2022 that will include improved water features includind spaces for angling, wild swimming, meadowland and watersports, outdoor classrooms and learning space, expanded allotments, a wedding venue and plentiful leisure and sports activity sites like a bouldering wall, a sculpture park and a performance space!