History of Epping

The history of Epping is an interesting one with highwaymen and royalty amongst its past visitors.

Early development
Epping developed at the northern end of the forest, on a high windy ridge. The Saxons first settled the area and gave the place its name or rather, variations of names that included, at different times, Ippying, Ipping, Eppinghethe and Eppingthorpe.

Here Elizabeth I granted the institution of a market and this became a meeting place for the villagers from settlements for miles around. Since then Epping has been important as a market and fair town.

Travellers through Epping
Epping, located along what became the main route between London and East Anglia, had many coaching inns -16 at one time. As such it saw many travellers (Samuel Pepys in 1660; Charles II in 1684 and Queen Anne in 1705 and 1707) - and was also a notorious haunt for highwaymen. Dick Turpin supposedly operated here (he is said to have shot a forest keeper in 1737) but was unflatteringly described as a male of only average height and much marked by smallpox. The last recorded highway robbery took place in 1837 when a local solicitor was robbed by three men.

The coming of the Great Eastern Railway in 1865 virtually put an end to both main road prosperity and thoughts of highway robbery and the road itself was toll-free in 1870.

Epping today
Epping, as it stands today, has grown as a favoured town of residence for those who work in London. But, its market still brings shoppers in from surrounding villages and towns every Monday. Perhaps the most prominent building in Epping these days is the District Council's office with its clocktower, designed to bring balance to the High Street with the old Gothic water tower at the southern end, built in 1872, and St John's Church tower in the centre.

For more on the history of Epping, visit the Epping Forest District Museum website.

To experience the history of Epping & Epping Forest first hand, Contact Us to make your reservation at Pergola Lodge Guest House.

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