• A Brambly Hedge-themed sculpture trail has officially opened in Epping Forest.
  • An interactive and inclusive experience, inspired by Jill Barklem’s much-loved children’s books.
  • A sensory woodland journey that brings beloved storybook characters to life. 

A Brambly Hedge-themed sculpture trail has officially opened in Epping Forest – the largest green space managed by the City of London Corporation as a registered charity. 

The Trail begins at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at Chingford where five wooden sculptures, funded by the City Corporation and donations from the local community, guide visitors on an adventure towards Connaught Water where a further 12 characters can be found. 

The sculptures feature beloved characters from the Brambly Hedge books by local author Jill Barklem, first published in 1980. They celebrate her inspiration for the enchanting world of Brambly Hedge, drawn from the hedgerows and trees of nearby Epping Forest. 

Each sculpture features the character’s name in braille and a sensory panel on the back. The design also enables wheelchair users and those with limited mobility to move around the sculptures and fully engage with them, ensuring the trail can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. 

The installation of the 12 characters around Connaught Water was made possible thanks to a £48,745 grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (administered via Epping Forest District Council) which also supported upgrades to the footpath on the western edge of Connaught Water, improving accessibility for all. 

The trail links to Connaught Water via the newly opened Gloucester Ride path – named in honour of HRH The Duke of Gloucester’s 50th anniversary as Ranger of Epping Forest earlier this year. Along this scenic route, visitors can discover four beautifully carved sculptures, each celebrating the rich natural and cultural heritage of the forest. 

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Caroline Haines, said: 

“This new trail is a wonderful addition to the wide range of family-friendly activities in Epping Forest. It offers an inclusive and engaging way for visitors of all ages and abilities to connect with nature across ‘the green lungs of London’. 

“With over one million trees, some of which are up to 1,000 years old, it’s easy to see where Jill Barklem found her inspiration – and I am confident it will spark a sense of discovery and enjoyment for many more generations to come.” 

Jill Barklem’s daughter, Lizzie, added: 

“This wonderful sculpture trail is a very fitting part of the celebrations for the 45th anniversary of Brambly Hedge. 

“Jill drew huge inspiration from Epping Forest and we hope that the trail will inspire more generations of families to spend time outside throughout the seasons, and stop to look a little deeper into the beauty and intricate detail of this remarkable woodland.” 

Visitors can start their Brambly Hedge adventure at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre where Trail packs are available for just £3. Each pack includes a leaflet, interactive map, and themed pencil. Young explorers who discover all 17 characters can return to the Centre to claim their special “completer’s” sticker. 

Epping Forest stretches from Manor Park in the south, through to Epping in the north and attracts over 10 million visitors every year. 

The Forest is of national and international conservation importance, containing two registered historic parks, eight listed buildings and four scheduled ancient monuments. 

It is one of the last remaining examples of ancient wood-pasture in southern England and holds national and international conservation status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. 

The City Corporation protects 11,000 acres of green space across London and southeast England. Most of these sites are charitable trusts and run at little or no cost to the communities they serve. 

ENDS 

Notes to editors 

About the City of London Corporation: 

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk. 

For more information about the Trail and Epping Forest visit – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/brambly-hedge-trail and www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest. 

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