Covering a total of 800 acres, the forest includes 250 acres of greenbelt, ancient woodland, Foxburrows Children’s Farm and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is the last fragment of a medieval royal hunting forest established by Henry I and includes Hatfield and Epping.

[quote=Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of HLF]"Hainault Ancient Forest is both a wildlife haven and the backdrop to the lives of a large and diverse local population."[/quote]

Wildlife haven

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “Hainault Ancient Forest is both a wildlife haven and the backdrop to the lives of a large and diverse local population.  The forest is now at a crossroads where it’s in desperate need of investment to avoid further deterioration.  Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re helping give this special part of urban Redbridge a chance to survive and thrive.”

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect Hainault Ancient Forest will improve the overall condition of the site, protecting threatened species and habitats and creating a range of new activities, including conservation management, animal husbandry and fruit-harvesting.

Soaring ambitions

With current visitor figures topping 500,000, once this ambitious project is completed it is anticipated the site will attract 800,000 visits each year.  Running in parallel will be a centre of excellence for training and cross-borough partnerships for work placements.