Epping Forest, near Theydon Bois, Essex
Ambresbury Banks
Prehistoric
Place photograph
7.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.1A Scheduled Iron Age earthwork on one of Epping Forest’s highest points, thought to have been built around 500 BC and to have served as a hill fort.
Ambresbury Banks is not just a historic name on a forest map: its surviving earthworks sit within Epping Forest, where open former heathland at Long Running and the possibility of spotting deer make a short visit feel connected to the wider landscape. The archaeological interpretation is cautious, but the place itself gives the story a physical setting.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapEpping Forest, near Theydon Bois, Essex
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the earthwork remnants, then extend your walk into Long Running, an open area of former heathland near the site. The official forest page suggests looking for deer and other wildlife.
Things to do
Look around the Iron Age earthwork
Explore the visible remnants and picture the site as it could have appeared when used as a possible hill fort. The official source dates its construction only tentatively to around 500 BC.
Walk across Long Running
Visit the nearby open area of former heathland and look for heather, sedge and purple moor grass.
Watch for forest wildlife
Keep an eye out for deer and other forest wildlife while walking in the area.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick Escape: the earthwork and back
- 01
Reach the area on foot from a suitable starting point; the official forest page says it is a 2 km walk from Theydon Bois station.
- 02
Look around the Iron Age earthwork remnants and consider the site’s possible hill-fort role.
- 03
Return by your chosen route, checking the forest map and current conditions before setting off.
Half day · Allow a half day, including travel and time to explore
Make a half day of it: Banks and Long Running
- 01
Start from a suitable listed car park or walk in from Theydon Bois station; check current car-park information and use the official forest map.
- 02
Explore the earthwork remnants at Ambresbury Banks.
- 03
Continue to Long Running, the nearby open former heathland, and look for its heather, sedge and purple moor grass.
- 04
Keep an eye out for deer and other forest wildlife, then return by a route checked against the forest map.
Verified history
Ambresbury Banks is one of two Iron Age earthworks in Epping Forest and is a Scheduled Monument. The City of London Corporation says it is thought to have been built around 500 BC and, because it occupies one of the highest points in the Forest, is thought to have been a hill fort. These are stated interpretations, not certainties.
Hidden details
A hilltop setting — The official forest account identifies Ambresbury Banks as occupying one of the highest points in Epping Forest, a detail that helps explain why a hill-fort interpretation has been proposed.
The heathland beside the earthwork — Long Running is an open area of former heathland near the camp; the official source names heather, sedge and purple moor grass among its vegetation.
When to go
· No specific time of day is verified; choose a sunny day if including Long Running.
The supplied official source says Long Running makes for a pleasant walk on sunny days but gives no specific seasonal peak.
The official source warns of hazardous bog holes near Jacks Hill Car Park and Long Running. Some may be deeper than they appear; heed any barriers and signs and take care.
Worth pairing with
Long Running
A nearby open area of former heathland that makes a sourced, landscape-based extension to a visit to the earthwork.
Loughton Camp
The other Iron Age earthwork identified by the City of London Corporation in Epping Forest. A visit could make a history-focused extension, but route and travel details should be checked before planning.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the surviving earthwork contours and imagine the site as a hill fort, as the City of London Corporation cautiously suggests. At nearby Long Running, notice the heather, sedge and purple moor grass
- 02
watch for deer and other forest wildlife.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
Sunny days for the open heathland at Long Running; no more specific seasonal peak is supported by the supplied sources.
Choose a sunny day if you want to include Long Running’s open heathland. No exact seasonal wildlife or archaeological viewing window is verified.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The City of London Corporation describes the site as a place to visit and gives walking and car-park information. Check current access and car-park arrangements before travelling.
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Parking
The City of London Corporation lists Long Running, Jacks Hill and Genesis Slade car parks, with nearest postcodes and what3words locations. Check its car-parking page for current opening and closing times.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Check current rules before visiting; the supplied official source does not state dog restrictions.
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Accessibility
No accessibility details are established by the supplied sources. Check before visiting.
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Cost
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Water
Not applicable
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Ambresbury Banks
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
