Woodland near Hatch Grove

Image: © Marathon Taken: 1 Apr 2015

Epping Forest was once a large expanse of broad-leaved woodland covering much of the eastern flank of the River Lea and stretching from the flood plains of the Lea into Essex. There were great threats to the Forest in the 19th century with proposed enclosures and sale of parts of the Forest. In August 1871 the City of London Corporation stepped in as a commoner with grazing rights and brought an action against the lords of the manor which lasted over three years. The manorial lords claimed that each manor was separate and that the commoners of that manor had no rights over the rest of the Forest. They said that if a manor satisfied its own commoners it could legally enclose that manor. The Corpoaration disputed this and claimed that commoners' rights extended throughout the whole Forest. Final judgement was given to the Corporation and following this the Corporation systematically bought all the remaining 'waste' land of the Forest and through the Epping Forest Act of 1878 became Conservators of Epping Forest. Epping Forest was formally opened on 6th May 1882 at High Beach when Queen Victoria dedicated "this beautiful Forest to the enjoyment of my people for ever." This is Hatch Grove alongside Chingdale Road. Hatch Grove was probably enclosed from Epping Forest before 1777.

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