Epping

Curiosity stirred within me, as I stood before the unassuming charm of Epping. Epping is more than just a stop on the Central Line. It’s a market town steeped in history, nestled at the northern edge of the ancient Epping Forest. Epping’s story begins long before the Underground, in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it’s mentioned as “Epinga,” a scattering of farms and a chapel. This early settlement, now known as Epping Upland, predates the present-day Epping. The town we see today sprung up south of Epping Upland, around what is now High Street and Hemnall Street. By the mid-13th century, King Henry III granted Epping the right to hold a weekly market. This royal decree transformed the town into a bustling hub of commerce. Imagine the scene – farmers herding their cattle down the High Street, traders hawking their wares, the air thick with the scent of livestock and freshly baked goods. This market tradition continues to this day, a testament to Epping’s enduring spirit. Epping has seen its share of change. In the 19th century, it was a key stop on the coaching route, with up to 25 stagecoaches and mail coaches passing through daily. The High Street boasted 26 coaching inns, two of which, The George and Dragon and The Black Lion, still stand as welcoming pubs. The arrival of the railway brought an end to the coaching era, and Epping entered a period of decline. However, the extension of a railway branch line from Loughton in 1865, and the rise of the motor car, breathed new life into the town. As you stroll down the High Street, look for the listed buildings. Many date back to the 18th century, although most have been altered internally over the years. At either end of the conservation area, you’ll find some of Epping’s oldest treasures. Beulah Lodge in Lindsey Street, a 17th-century gem, and a row of charming 17th- and early 18th-century cottages at numbers 98-110 on High Street. Epping is also known for its twinning with the German town of Eppingen, a connection forged in 1981. And let’s not forget the Epping sausage, a local delicacy that continues to tantalize taste buds.