Epping Forest Field Centre

Discover Epping Forest with Field Studies Council

Epping Forest Field Centre, is situated in the heart of Epping Forest, where we use the natural environment around us to bring learning to life — helping students sharpen their geography and science fieldwork skills and connect with the natural world around them.

Epping Forest Field Centre

The purpose built, fully accessible centre has six classrooms, and associated facilities, and we walk directly into many of our teaching sites, most of which are fully accessible. The centre is just a few minutes drive from the M25 and Loughton Tube Station and has a car and coach park. We provide equipment, resources and handouts required for the day.

An inspiring location for study

Epping Forest, an area of around 2,400 hectares of wood-pasture, stretching from Manor Park in East London to just north of Epping in Essex. Two thirds of the Forest have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The mosaic of woodland, grassland, heath and freshwater habitats provides an inspirational study location.

Working together

Working together with City of London to deliver education in Epping Forest

Flexible and local

Need us somewhere else in Epping Forest? We’re happy to come to you — just get in touch to explore the possibilities. We can also meet groups at Loughton Tube station.

Projects and Bursaries

Schools local to Epping Forest are eligible for a free visit each year, on the visit, students will find out more about the grazing conservation work undertaken by City of London thanks to funding from The Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Our mission is to create outstanding opportunities for everyone to learn about and connect with the natural environment and be passionate about preserving its future. That’s why we make every effort to help disadvantaged young people access the benefits of environmental education. Current funding and bursaries can be found here.

“Field Studies Council Epping Forest gives inner city students the chance to enjoy a beautiful natural environment as they learn how to study the world around them.”
A Level Geography Teacher, Francis Holland School, Sloane Square.

Facilities

Capacity: 180 in six classrooms
Car Parking: Public car park
Disabled Access: The location has disabled access.
Hot and Cold Drinks: We have hot and cold drinks making facilities accessible around the centre.
Toilets: On site toilets
Wi-Fi: Free guest Wi-Fi is available throughout the centre.

Local area

Epping Forest

Epping Forest is an ‘internationally important’ place because of its unique mosaic of habitats and species. It is one of very few large, ancient forests in this part of Britain, and it has lots of rare or important habitats like ancient semi-natural woodland, wood-pasture, grassland plains, heathlands, and wetlands. Each of these habitats is home to different trees, wildlife and even fungi, which together make up a rich mosaic of nature. The City of London habitat restoration programme works to enhance biodiversity, by restoring the diverse mosaic of habitats, regenerating the forest floor, and revealing veteran trees so they can live longer.

Loughton Brook

Loughton Brook is a natural river, flowing through Epping Forest and is a tributary of the River Roding. Accessible within walking distance from the Field Centre, students can walk the full length of the river. As the river enters Loughton there are two flood schemes, built following local town flooding, that can be investigated. Due to its natural form and site within Epping Forest, to prevent damage to the site, there are restrictions on the number of students that can study Loughton Brook each month.

Debden Brook

A short drive from the Field Centre, this local urban river is an ideal size for fieldwork investigations. Running through urban grassland, this river is accessible all year round and with no licence restrictions. With housing and commercial developments locally, it provides an opportunity to consider the impact of people on the river.

Virtual tour Video tour of the area

Travel to Epping Forest Field Centre

Navigate with:

As part of our environmental commitment we encourage all visitors to travel by coach, train or public transport.

By road – We are near M25 Junction 26, take the A121 towards Loughton and follow signs to ‘Epping Forest Centres’. From M11 Junction 5 take the A1168 towards Lougthon then the A121 and follow signs to ‘Epping Forest Centres’. From the A406 North Circular take the A104 towarrds Woodford and Epping, and at the Robin Hood pub follow signs to ‘Epping Forest Centres’. There is Car and Coach parking on site

By train: the nearest station is Loughton Underground Station on the Central Line, the Centre is about a 45min walk, or a short taxi journey. It is also a short taxi journey from Chingford station on the London Overground. Before travel, please check the TFL website to plan your journey or for status updates.