Epping Forest is a 2,400-hectare (5,900-acre) area of ancient woodland, and other established habitats, which straddles the border between Greater London and Essex. The main body of the forest stretches from Epping in the north, to Chingford on the edge of the London built-up area. South of Chingford the forest narrows, and forms a green corridor that extends deep into East London, as far as Forest Gate; the forest's position gives rise to its nickname, the Cockney Paradise. It is the largest forest in London.
Epping Forest near Epping
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford
Connaught Water, an ornamental lake of 8 acres (3.2 ha) named after the Duke of Connaught, the first forest ranger
An overgrown Beech pollard, in Epping Forest
In the United Kingdom, ancient woodland is that which has existed continuously since 1600 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Planting of woodland was uncommon before those dates, so a wood present in 1600 is likely to have developed naturally.
Ancient woodland on Inchmahome island in Scotland
Blossom of lesser celandine (Ficaria verna)
Close-up of the yellow archangel flowers
Anemonoides nemorosa, the wood anemone