His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester has today (14 February) celebrated his ‘golden jubilee’ as Ranger of Epping Forest with a special visit to the “green lungs of London”.
Stretching from Manor Park in east London to Epping in Essex, the Forest covers nearly 8,000 acres — roughly nine times the size of New York’s Central Park.
Managed by the Corporation as a registered charity, it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, home to the UK’s largest collection of veteran pollarded trees.
Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was presented with the key to Queen Elizabeth I’s Hunting Lodge [pictured] before officially opening a new exhibition at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at Chingford which explores the royal connections that have shaped the Forest through the centuries.
The visit also marked the launch of two major projects set to be completed later this year:
The ‘Gloucester Ride’ path, named in honour of The Duke of Gloucester, will connect the Epping Forest Visitor Centre with Connaught Water, making the Forest more accessible for a range of users.
The first sculptures of a Brambly Hedge trail [pictured], inspired by Jill Barklem’s illustrated children’s books, were also unveiled. The sculptures will allow children and those with accessibility needs to navigate the site better, with braille panels on each sculpture.
Chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Ben Murphy, said:
“We were delighted to welcome The Duke of Gloucester back to Epping Forest to celebrate this remarkable milestone.
“For 50 years, His Royal Highness has played a vital role in protecting this internationally significant landscape, ensuring its beauty and biodiversity thrive while providing over 10 million visitors each year with high-quality green spaces for recreation.
“A key legacy of the Ranger’s Golden Jubilee celebration has been inspiring the next generation of volunteers. Over the past year, we have seen a 16% increase, with more than 15,000 hours donated. We now offer opportunities for people of all abilities, and our volunteering activities for children and young families have been particularly successful.”
Travelling from Chingford to Lopping Hall, The Duke of Gloucester met with young representatives from the City Corporation’s Youth Natural Environment Board, Epping Forest District Youth Council, and Thomas Willingale School. Discussions focused on ‘The Future of Epping Forest,’ highlighting the importance of youth involvement in conservation efforts.
In a letter to these volunteers ahead of the event, His Royal Highness wrote:
“Over the past 50 years as Ranger, I have been impressed to see, first-hand, the impact that volunteers like yourself are having in both conserving this internationally important asset and in supporting the Corporation in the public services provided to Epping Forest’s millions of visitors annually.
“I recognise that volunteers are critical to the charity’s continued success. I do hope you have enjoyed your time volunteering and will share your skills and experience with others, growing the network of volunteers to benefit the Forest for years to come.”
Addressing both The Ranger and Local Councillors, Epping Forest District Youth Councillors said:
“Epping Forest is more than just a green space; it is our legacy. It holds the stories of the past and the hopes for the future.
“The young people of the Epping Forest District ask you all to commit today to do whatever we can to preserve this irreplaceable treasure, ensuring that future generations may walk its paths, breathe its air, and find solace in its beauty, just as we have.”
The role of Ranger of Epping Forest was established under the Epping Forest Act of 1878, ensuring the continuation of the centuries-old Royal association with the Forest. Appointed by the Crown, the Ranger plays a key role, working alongside the Corporation as Conservator, and the elected Verderers who present the views of local residents.
Since its creation under the Epping Forest Act of 1878, only three individuals have held the position of Ranger:
- Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1879–1942)
- Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1943–1974)
- Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (1975–present)
Epping Forest’s connection with the Royal Family dates back to Henry II in the 12th century, but following the Corporation’s purchase of the land, it was Queen Victoria, who officially opened the Forest on 6 May 1882, declaring it would be ‘for the use and enjoyment of my people for all time.’
In 2017, Prince Harry dedicated Epping Forest as part of the Commonwealth Canopy, and in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II recognised it as one of just 70 ancient woodlands for her Platinum Jubilee.
Most recently, in 2023, His Majety King Charles III marked his Coronation by donating a tree to the Forest.
The Corporation manages a network of 11,000 acres of internationally important open space across London and southeast England, investing millions of pounds every year.
Its largest site, Epping Forest, has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for 22 consecutive years, recognising it as one of the very best managed green sites in the world.
The Forest has also received Green Heritage Site Accreditation in recognition of its publicly accessible historic features, high standard of conservation, and for being one of the few remaining extensive ancient forests in western Europe.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – .
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge is a unique example of a surviving timber-framed hunt standing, built on the orders of Henry VIII in 1543 and remodelled to the current design by Elizabeth I in 1589.
The Royal-themed exhibition “Golden Jubilee” will be on display at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at Chingford until the end of March 2025. For more information, visit /eppingforest.
Opened in 1884, Lopping Hall in Loughton was built by the Corporation in compensation for the loss of local residents’ lopping rights under the Epping Forest Act 1878. The City awarded £7,000: the cost of the building was £3,236, with a further sum forming a capital gift in the creation of a Lopping Hall Endowment Trust, which sustains the community hall today.
The 50 for 50 volunteering campaign invited local people to contribute 50 hours of volunteering over six months to help conserve and protect the Forest, in honour of The Duke of Gloucester’s Golden Jubilee as Ranger of Epping Forest –https:///things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/volunteer-at-epping-forest/epping-forest-50-for-50-volunteering-campaign.
The Youth Natural Environment Board brings together current pupils and alumni from its Family of Schools, providing a platform for young voices to influence the City Corporation’s environmental policies, and cultivate leadership and advocacy skills in sustainability.
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