Essential Hotels > England > Essex > Epping

The small town of Epping is situated in the western part of Essex, a short distance from London and a stone’s throw from the junction that sees the M11 meet the M25. The traditional Epping has something of a rural appearance, with farmland surrounding and a number of old buildings that fall in the grade I and II listed categories. Also of particular note is the famous Epping Market which has taken place on a weekly basis, either on Monday or Friday, since 1253.

More than 10,000 people live in this Essex town and it proves useful as a commuter settlement for London; the centre of the nation’s capital is just 17 miles away. Conveniently, Epping lies at the end of the Central line and so access to the centre of London is made all the more straight forward. There have been motions to extend the town in recent times, however many believe this would spoil the small-scale rural nature of the area.

Since 1981 Epping has been twinned with Germany’s Eppingen, a town in the Baden-Württemburg district. Long before though, the town was first mentioned in the Domesday records in 1086 as Epinga, today’s Epping Upland, and it had just a few farms and a church building. By the 12th century Epping Heath had been settled and by 1253 King Henry III had taken the significant step of declaring a market to be held in the town weekly on Epping Street, an activity that continues to this day.

Epping Heath developed in subsequent years, what with its strategic position on the route from London to East Anglia. In the 19th century it had no fewer than 26 coaching inns dotted along its High Street although the town declined with the introduction of railways. Epping did, however, revive again when a branch line from London was extended and motor cars took off. Today, a number of the predominantly 18th-century listed buildings remain, adding a sense of character and charm to the setting.

Epping in Essex marks the beginning of the Essex Way which works its way towards Harwich. Other parts of the local culture include Epping Butter which was manufactured in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries and Epping sausages which have been made in Epping since 1888. Meanwhile, its famous residents include Alan Davies, Glenn Hoddle and Rod Stewart.