This area splits the town of Epping into North and South Epping, and stretches across the entire south westerly portion of the Epping Forest constituency. As such, it’s a mixture of green pastures, wooded swathes of Epping Forest and urbanised sprawl, and this makes it unique. Epping town itself is situated within the metropolitan and urban area of London, even with it’s Chelmsford postcode. Living in Epping, one gets the benefits of a relaxed countryside locale combined with proximity to London, amplified by the Epping underground station, serviced by the central line. Epping’s housing stock is equally variable, from terraces, quaint townhouses, larger semi-detached homes, and apartment blocks.

Epping began its life as a market town, and still maintains this identity today, with the market operating on Epping High Street every Monday. King Henry III, in 1253, granted the town of Waltham Abbey the right to host a market every Monday on Epping Heath (the original site for Epping town), and an annual fair marking the Ascension. The market was often dedicated to livestock, such as geese and cattle, and cattle were still being sold at the market until 1961. This market tradition has been mantained over 760 years! Epping’s history is also the history of the railway, particularly the Great Eastern Railway, which added an extension from neighbouring Ongar and Loughton in 1865. Due to this success, the railway company opened a new extension to Epping in 1892. It’s this foundation that led to Epping being created as the central line eastbound terminus, which was opened in 1949.

We all know Winston Churchill, but during his turbulent life, he was actually MP for Epping, and represented Epping Forest during his tenure as Prime Minister. Epping has, save a few Labour years here and there, always been a politically Conservative stronghold.

It’s reputation as a commuter town has many implications on the local population. Many residents from neighbouring towns travel to Epping to use the underground line, as it is much cheaper than the National Rail alternatives. This has created tensions throughout the Epping area, as the small streets are congested with cars. Similarly to the area of Theydon Bois, residents of Epping are largely reluctant to accept drastic development and are protective of their Green Belt status. However developments are underway for the construction of 270 homes varying from apartments to townhouses, as well as refurbished civic buildings, a new leisure centre and a cinema!