Situated on the southern edge of Epping Forest, Buckhurst Hill is a commuter town in the Greater London Urban Area. It was located on the historic stagecoach route between London and Cambridge before flourishing with the arrival of the Eastern Counties Railway when Buckhurst Hill Station opened in 1856.
Things to do in Buckhurst Hill
Be sure to stroll through Linder’s Field, a 3.6-hectare nature reserve named after its former owner, Charles Linder. It is a surviving fragment of an ancient woodland once used for livestock grazing and many of its trees are around 400 years old. Explore the scenic meadows that provide habitat for bluebells and St John’s-wort, then spot frogs, toads and newts in the reserve’s ponds.
To the west lies Connaught Water, a picturesque lake ringed by an easily accessible path. In addition to having a purpose-built fishing platform, it’s a popular setting for birdwatching, with swans, mandarin ducks and great crested grebes spotted here. Connaught Water forms part of the 2,400-hectare Epping Forest, whose grasslands, heath and bogs can be explored on foot or by bicycle.
On the edge of Epping Forest is Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, a Grade II-listed property commissioned by Henry VIII in 1542. Renovated for Queen Elizabeth I, it is open to the public as a museum showcasing the Tudor history of the region. You can dress up in period fashions and learn about Tudor culinary traditions, then soak up the sweeping views across Epping Forest from the top floor.
Getting around Buckhurst Hill
Buckhurst Hill is around 35 minutes’ drive from the centre of London and about an hour from Heathrow Airport. Trains connect along the Central line to the Buckhurst Hill and Roding Valley stations while buses travel throughout the town.