Epping Forest beats Hampstead Heath as boffins reveal value of green spaces in London

Report says sites could be better used for recreation, commuter cycling and wild swimming
Epping Forest: the largest of London's green spaces
Daniel Lynch
Ross Lydall @RossLydall30 January 2024

The health and economic benefits provided by green spaces such as Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath has been estimated in excess of £8bn over the next 50 years.

But the expert analysis warned that the majority of the heath’s natural habitats were in a “moderate or fairly poor condition” – while much of the northern section of Epping Forest, known as the “Buffer Lands” was in “poor condition”.

It said their value could be increased by encouraging their use for recreation, such as walking groups, “green gyms” and wild or outdoor swimming.

Building cycle paths to enable them to be used for “active travel” by Londoners to get to and from work was also suggested.

This will prove especially controversial with many users of Hampstead Heath, who have spent decades battling to restrict access to cyclists – resulting in only a handful of approved cycle routes across the 277 hectare site in north London.

The report was commissioned by the City of London Corporation, the local authority for the Square Mile, which owns and manages 11,000 acres of green spaces in and around the capital, from inner city churchyards to Epping Forest, which stretches north from Wanstead and Leytonstone into Essex.

The value of the sites – others include Highgate Wood, Burnham Beeches and Ashtead Common - was estimated at £282.6 million annually, or £8.1 billion over 50 years, reducing to £7.6bn once maintenance costs are considered.

It found Epping Forest - the biggest piece of open land in London – scored highest in terms of its “net natural capital value”, an ecological measure which considers factors including how it captures and stores carbon dioxide, regulates air pollution and noise and prevents floods.

However the City Gardens - 200 small sites across the Square Mile including churchyards, plazas, pocket parks, and highways plantings – had a higher cumulative score.

The mixed swimming pond at Hampstead Heath
Getty Images

Almost all sites benefited massively from maintenance. Every £1 spent on Hampstead Heath, which attracts 8.1m visitors a year, resulted in an £8.40 return. Spending £1 on Epping Forest, which attracts 10.5m visitors a year, generated £20.20 of benefits.

The Corporation spends £38m a year maintaining the open spaces but has often faced a backlash when introducing charges, such as to use the Hampstead Heath swimming ponds.

The report comes as the City announces four new environment strategies designed to protect, enhance, and maintain its sites.

The report said Queen’s Park could be improved by planting more hedgerows, scrub and trees around its edge. It said there was a need to control deer in the Epping Forest buffer lands.

Other well-known green spaces such as Richmond Park, Hyde Park and Greenwich Park are run by the Royal Parks charity.

Chris Hayward, policy chairman at the City Corporation, said: “Our parks, forests, gardens, and woodlands provide huge community benefits which are often under-recognised. Now for the first time, we can reveal the incredible value they bring to society.”

Caroline Haines, chair of the City Corporation’s natural environment board, , said: “These figures show just how much our green spaces mean to the tens of millions of people who enjoy them every year.

“The work that goes into keeping these world class sites maintained and looking their best is a significant undertaking, yet – as this report shows – they are worth every penny to society.”

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