Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
After three years away, we finally return to Epping Forest — but this time we're doing something we've never done before. We spend the day venturing deep into the forest, visiting some of its most historic and notorious locations and uncovering the stories that have made Epping one of the most fascinating woodlands in Britain. From ancient earthworks and highwaymen to unexplained deaths, murders, crime and the countless ghost stories associated with these woods, there is a much darker side to Epping Forest than most daytime visitors ever see. Then, as daylight disappears and the forest completely changes, we head deeper into the darkness, set up our tent and attempt to spend the entire night camping inside Epping Forest. Camping and fires are restricted under the Forest's rules, so this isn't something we'd recommend copying. Once darkness falls and the daytime walkers disappear, we're left alone amongst thousands of acres of ancient woodland… and that's when things start getting seriously creepy.
PREHISTORIC EPPING — THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY
People were moving through the landscape around Epping Forest thousands of years before London existed. Archaeological evidence from the wider area includes a Palaeolithic hand axe, a Mesolithic settlement at High Beach and evidence of Bronze Age activity. By around 500 BC, during the Iron Age, huge defensive earthworks were constructed at Loughton Camp and Ambresbury Banks, both of which can still be seen today. These ancient sites have helped fuel some of Epping's legends, including the story that Boudica made her last stand somewhere within the forest — although there is no firm historical evidence proving that particular story.
ROYAL FOREST, KINGS & HIGHWAYMEN
For centuries Epping became closely connected with royalty and hunting. The woodland was governed under Royal Forest Law from the medieval period right through until the 19th century, and Henry VIII is believed to have hunted here. But the dense woodland also provided perfect cover for people who didn't want to be found. The most famous was Dick Turpin, the notorious 18th-century highwayman who legend says used Epping Forest to hide from the authorities and rob travellers passing through the area. Whether every Turpin story told about Epping is true is another matter, but his association with the forest has survived for almost 300 years.
THE FOREST THAT WAS ALMOST LOST
By the 1800s, large areas of ancient woodland around London were disappearing as land was enclosed and developed. A long battle was fought to protect Epping, eventually resulting in the Epping Forest Act of 1878, with the City of London Corporation becoming its Conservators. Queen Victoria formally dedicated the forest to the public in 1882, helping secure the landscape that survives today. Modern Epping Forest stretches for around 13 miles, from East London into Essex, and covers more than 8,000 acres of woodland and surrounding land.
MURDER, CRIME & DEATH IN EPPING FOREST
Unfortunately, Epping's isolation has also given the forest a much darker reputation. Over the years, police and Forest authorities have dealt with serious assaults, robberies, unexplained deaths and other major incidents in and around the woodland. Official Forest committee records have documented keepers being assaulted, a keeper being threatened with a knife, members of the public being mugged and police investigations involving serious crimes and unexplained deaths. The forest's enormous size, isolated car parks and miles of dense woodland have inevitably made it the setting for tragedies and criminal investigations over the decades.
GHOSTS, LEGENDS & EPPING FOREST AFTER DARK
All of that history has helped create Epping Forest's reputation as one of Britain's eeriest woodlands. Stories of apparitions, mysterious figures, strange noises and unexplained experiences have circulated for generations, often mixing genuine history with local folklore. Some stories can be traced to real people and events; others are impossible to verify. But when you're standing amongst trees that have witnessed thousands of years of human history, miles from the nearest light, it's easy to understand why the legends have survived. Tonight we're going to find out for ourselves what Epping Forest is really like after dark.
⚠️ We do not encourage anyone to copy what you see in this video. Always follow local regulations, respect the forest and its wildlife, and stay safe.
#EppingForest #HauntedForest #Paranormal #Camping #ExploringWithFighters
After three years away, we finally return to Epping Forest — but this time we're doing something we've never done before. We spend the day venturing deep into the forest, visiting some of its most historic and notorious locations and uncovering the stories that have made Epping one of the most fascinating woodlands in Britain. From ancient earthworks and highwaymen to unexplained deaths, murders, crime and the countless ghost stories associated with these woods, there is a much darker side to Epping Forest than most daytime visitors ever see. Then, as daylight disappears and the forest completely changes, we head deeper into the darkness, set up our tent and attempt to spend the entire night camping inside Epping Forest. Camping and fires are restricted under the Forest's rules, so this isn't something we'd recommend copying. Once darkness falls and the daytime walkers disappear, we're left alone amongst thousands of acres of ancient woodland… and that's when things start getting seriously creepy.
PREHISTORIC EPPING — THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY
People were moving through the landscape around Epping Forest thousands of years before London existed. Archaeological evidence from the wider area includes a Palaeolithic hand axe, a Mesolithic settlement at High Beach and evidence of Bronze Age activity. By around 500 BC, during the Iron Age, huge defensive earthworks were constructed at Loughton Camp and Ambresbury Banks, both of which can still be seen today. These ancient sites have helped fuel some of Epping's legends, including the story that Boudica made her last stand somewhere within the forest — although there is no firm historical evidence proving that particular story.
ROYAL FOREST, KINGS & HIGHWAYMEN
For centuries Epping became closely connected with royalty and hunting. The woodland was governed under Royal Forest Law from the medieval period right through until the 19th century, and Henry VIII is believed to have hunted here. But the dense woodland also provided perfect cover for people who didn't want to be found. The most famous was Dick Turpin, the notorious 18th-century highwayman who legend says used Epping Forest to hide from the authorities and rob travellers passing through the area. Whether every Turpin story told about Epping is true is another matter, but his association with the forest has survived for almost 300 years.
THE FOREST THAT WAS ALMOST LOST
By the 1800s, large areas of ancient woodland around London were disappearing as land was enclosed and developed. A long battle was fought to protect Epping, eventually resulting in the Epping Forest Act of 1878, with the City of London Corporation becoming its Conservators. Queen Victoria formally dedicated the forest to the public in 1882, helping secure the landscape that survives today. Modern Epping Forest stretches for around 13 miles, from East London into Essex, and covers more than 8,000 acres of woodland and surrounding land.
MURDER, CRIME & DEATH IN EPPING FOREST
Unfortunately, Epping's isolation has also given the forest a much darker reputation. Over the years, police and Forest authorities have dealt with serious assaults, robberies, unexplained deaths and other major incidents in and around the woodland. Official Forest committee records have documented keepers being assaulted, a keeper being threatened with a knife, members of the public being mugged and police investigations involving serious crimes and unexplained deaths. The forest's enormous size, isolated car parks and miles of dense woodland have inevitably made it the setting for tragedies and criminal investigations over the decades.
GHOSTS, LEGENDS & EPPING FOREST AFTER DARK
All of that history has helped create Epping Forest's reputation as one of Britain's eeriest woodlands. Stories of apparitions, mysterious figures, strange noises and unexplained experiences have circulated for generations, often mixing genuine history with local folklore. Some stories can be traced to real people and events; others are impossible to verify. But when you're standing amongst trees that have witnessed thousands of years of human history, miles from the nearest light, it's easy to understand why the legends have survived. Tonight we're going to find out for ourselves what Epping Forest is really like after dark.
⚠️ We do not encourage anyone to copy what you see in this video. Always follow local regulations, respect the forest and its wildlife, and stay safe.
#EppingForest #HauntedForest #Paranormal #Camping #ExploringWithFighters
