Hainault Forest is one of the few remaining sections of the former Forest of Essex, which had its origins in the forest that covered much of Britain after the ice age.
From the 11th century it formed part of the royal hunting forests and is thought to have been declared a specially protected forest by Henry I sometime in the 1130s.
In 1851, an Act of Parliament allowed around 100,000 trees to be cut down and the land turned over to agriculture to help feed the growing population of London. After public pressure to retain some of the forest, headed by the Liberal politician and conservationist Edward North Buxton, part of the area was acquired for the nation in 1903 by Essex and London councils and it was designated a Country Park in 1906.
Acquisition
Since 1986, the site has been jointly owned by Essex County Council and the London Borough of Redbridge. In 1998, the Woodland Trust took a 50-year lease from Essex County Council on 113 hectares (280 acres) of the woodland and manage it on the council’s behalf as Hainault Forest. The remaining 100 hectares (240 acres) are owned and managed by the London Borough of Redbridge, and the two sites together are known as Hainault Forest Country Park.
In 2006, the
woodland trust purchased 54 hectares (134 acres) of previously arable land, adjacent to and within Hainault Forest.
Hainault Forest was bought by public and private subscriptions from East and West Ham, Barking, Dagenham, Wanstead, Ilford UDC's, Essex and London CC's and other benefactors.
By an Act of Parliament (1903) it was declared an open space forever for the people of London. It belongs to the people of London. There were also restrictions on what forms of activity could take place in Hainault and the GLC maintained and safeguarded the wish of Parliament, to later be ignored by Redbridge.
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Hainault Forest (Redbridge) has an area designated an SSSI or Site of Special Scientific Importance, Hainault Forest for all its small size has species present of Red data, National and Essex rarity importance. I have myself discovered a number of firsts for Essex and the UK here. A survey of the lichens shows Hainault to be the least polluted and healthiest area in the Borough.
Some Local Links
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This the Forest at the top of my road find out what is realy happening in this area BIRD WATCHING IN REDBRIDGE NEW Daniel Erickson-Hull's blog of bird watching in Redbridge with observations in Fairlop, Wanstead and Hainault etc For those with interests in Plant Galls. CHIGWELL ROW WOODS LOCAL NATURE RESERVE A forgotten corner of Hainault Forest? EAST LONDON NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS Educational site with photographs taken in Hainault Forest, Fairlop Waters, Epping Forest etc. EPPING FOREST CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS Actively involved in the Conservation and Management of Epping Forest. Help maintain diversity by undertaking practical tasks on important sites, especially threatened areas such as ponds, bogs, heaths and grasslands. The oldest and best Natural History Society in Essex. The Essex Field Club were closely associated with Hainault Forest and the re-afforestation plans in 1902. Frequent field meetings are held in the forest. ESSEX KITE GROUP often meet in Hainault Country Park. Part of Hainault Forest lies within Essex An active Friends group in Dagnam Park. January 2005 saw Dagnam Park, Duck Wood and Hatters Wood given Local Nature Reserve status by Havering Council. A strong and active Friends group, representing the varied interests of all sections of the public who appreciate and use Epping Forest. Developed at Hainault Forest Community Association Centre by a group of I.T. learners meeting there since September 2005. A Redbridge-NLDC project. HAINAULT COMMUNITY PROJECT NEW Local issues, local action. Paul Mabbott's website of Ladybird and Beetle surveys for The London Natural History Society and The Essex Field Club. LONDON BIODIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP 'By producing an Action Plan for Biodiversity, London is giving a lead to other World Cities - not only in making its own particular contribution to conservation of global diversity, but in demonstrating that nature is a vital ingredient in the quality of life of city dwellers.' LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Hainault Forest is in the catchment area. Covers Hainault Forest in Redbridge. Modern photographs of Lambourne village and Church history. 1841 Tithes, War memorial inscriptions, Poaching, Lopping, Grave robbing and other crimes The airfield was situated on the site of Kingswood, until 1851 part of Hainault Forest. Dedicated to teaching people how to identify trees and showing where examples can be found in London. The History and Wildlife of Wanstead. |