Hainault Forest Country Park

Nestled on the eastern edge of Epping Forest, Hainault Country Park is one of London’s most historic and diverse natural landscapes. Covering over 160 hectares managed jointly by the Woodland Trust and the London Borough of Redbridge, Hainault offers a rich mosaic of ancient woodland, open grassland, and crystalline lakes and wetlands that are all accessible via an extensive network of trails that radiate from a two large carparks and an impressive visitor centre.

In winter the park’s lake and ponds are a magnet for waterfowl, with large flocks of Northern Shoveler often seen feeding in tight, swirling groups. Redwing forage among the rough grasses and hedgerows and Fieldfare can be seen in the open meadows. Spring is the best time to search for woodpeckers, including the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker that is known to reside here, and the Woodpecker Trail is also known to yield Coal Tit and Goldcrest for patient birders. Warblers including Chiffchaff and Blackcap can be heard into the summer whilst butterflies such as Orange-tip and Speckled Wood are common along sunny rides. Meadow Pipet, Kestrel, Great-Crested Grebe, and Long-Tailed-Tit can be found reliably throughout the year.

Site Information

The park is situated on the western side of the Romford Road (A1112) immediately south of the junction with Forest Road. Access is from Forest Road opposite Forest Park Cemetery (NB there is no direct access onto Forest Road from Romford Road when heading towards Marks Gate/Collier Row). There is ample parking near the visitor centre, paid via RingGo. There are limited public transport options in the immediate vicinity, with the nearest train stations being Hainault and Fairlop, both on the Central Line, and the 247 and 362 bus routes serving the general area. The Woodland Trust visitor centre offers maps, information, a café, a gift shop, bathrooms facilities, and seasonal events and activities, making it an excellent starting and finishing point for visits. Additionally there are a number of picnic sites and children’s play areas dotted nearby. Trails that radiate from the visitors hub are well signposted and maintained but are rough underfoot and can get quite muddy during the wetter months, so study shoes or wellies are generally recommended.