Loughton is positioned on the edge of Epping Forest, around 15 miles north-east of central London at the apex of what is known as the “Golden Triangle”, with Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill. The nightlife and culture of the West End is still within easy reach thanks to the Central line, but country walks are on the doorstep.

Thriving Loughton grew up in the middle of the Victorian age with the arrival of the Eastern Counties Railway in 1856 and its history has been shaped by its proximity to Epping Forest. In 1878 the management of the forest was taken over by the City of London.

In 1884, to compensate locals for the loss of the right to lop firewood in the forest, the City provided funds to build the town’s public hall, calling it Lopping Hall. As the town rises to the west to meet the forest, there is a hilly area of pretty cottages and country lanes, with fine views over London to be enjoyed from the terrace of the Gardeners Arms pub.

Property scene

Loughton has period cottages from its time as a small village, plus Victorian and Edwardian semi-detached and terrace houses, and houses dating from the Twenties to the present day.

The Roding estate south-east of the station is interwar, while Great Woodcote Park is a modern gated estate on the southern edge of town and Goldings Manor covers a series of leafy roads on the northern edge.

Lifestyle

Loughton has a busy shopping street along the High Road where there is a mix of independent shops and chain stores and restaurants.

Popular independent restaurants include The Olive Tree for Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on Greek food; Two Kitchens serving both pizza and sushi — an unusual combination that seems to work — and Molen’s, a popular sandwich bar.

Open space

Epping Forest, London’s largest open space, managed by the City of London, is a short walk from Loughton town centre, and proximity to its miles of walking, cycling and horse-riding trails is one of the main reason’s families move to the area.

There are two visitors’ centres near Loughton: the Epping Forest Visitors’ Centre in Nursery Road, High Beach and Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Ranger’s Road, a rare surviving timber-frame hunting lodge built on the orders of Henry VIII.

Schools

Primary school: Hereward / Staples Road Primary / Alderton Infants and Juniors / White Bridge Infants / Thomas Willingale / High Beech CofE.

Comprehensive: Davenant Foundation / Roding Valley High / Debden Park High.

Private: Oaklands / Loyola Preparatory /Chigwell / Bancroft’s.

Travel

Loughton station is on the Central Line.

Postcode

Loughton falls under the IG10 postcode and forms part of the Epping Forest Borough.