This week on the map
Find the places mentioned in this edition. The outline includes the forest and its neighbouring towns.
4 things to know about this week. Full detail is below the map.
Shops, cafés, restaurants & pubs
Local finds and changes around the forest.
Nothing to report this week
No business updates are included in this edition.
Road closures & access
Things that might affect getting around the forest.
High Beech, Loughton water mains replacement
OngoingLoughton
A roughly 19km, three-year mains replacement across more than 60 roads in Loughton. Streets already finished this year: Queens Road, Spareleaze Hill, Hillyfields, Woodbury Hill, Rectory Lane. Work is underway or starting around now on Traps Hill (June to December 2026), Kings Hill (September to November 2026), Carroll Hill (September to December 2026) and Hillcroft (October to December 2026). England's Lane and Staples Road are scheduled from August 2026 to July 2027. Not confirmed again this week, so worth checking before relying on it.
Sources: Thames Water project page, Thames Water: Loughton mains replacement begins
Bakers Lane / Cottis Lane, Epping carriageway improvements
OngoingEpping
Multi-phase carriageway reconstruction near Bakers Lane and Cottis Lane, with signed diversions via St John's Road, Coronation Hill and Lincolns Field. A July 2026 residents' letter put final surfacing around 26 July 2026 (subject to change), but no later update was found, so the current status is unconfirmed.
Source: Essex Highways: Bakers Lane / Cottis Lane project page
Shorter car park hours
OngoingEpping Forest car parks
Car park opening hours were shortened from 7:00am-8:00pm to 7:00am-6:30pm from Monday 15 September 2026.
Baldwins Pond dam investigation works
OngoingBaldwins Pond
Site investigations are under way to inform future improvements to the Baldwins Pond dam. A public consultation is expected to follow, with construction expected to begin in spring (year not stated).
Events in the forest
What's on this week, and what's coming up over the next month.
Coming up in the next month
Top Picks: litter pick at Hollow Ponds
Coming upHollow Ponds, Epping Forest
A free, volunteer-run litter pick at Hollow Ponds, part of the Epping Forest charity's recurring 'Top Picks' series. Check the listing for the next date.
Source: Eventbrite: Top Picks collection
The forest's grazing cattle
Epping Forest's conservation-grazing cattle move around the forest through the year.
Where the cattle are grazing
Moved this weekHigh Beach
The forest's grazing cattle have moved to a new area close to High Beach.
A little closer to the forest
Local discoveries, things to do and updates for your next visit. You do not need the app to enjoy the Ledger.
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Epping Forest Finds is a free map for your next walk: find nearby cafés, ancient trees, paths and places to pause.
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