Barbecues are not permitted at any of our parks and open spaces.
About the park
Hainault Forest is one of London’s hidden gems, a large park with woodlands and a variety of activities to take part in. While visiting the forest, why not walk through the Woodhenge behind the lake which features wood sculptures by local artists and follow the sculpture trail.
The completion of the playground is part of the final phase of the £7m Hainault Forest restoration project, which has seen the reconstruction of the Victorian barns, which now boast a range of new features and facilities, including:
- A stunning events space for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations
- A new outdoor adventure play area
- A new interactive visitor hub
- A brand-new café Workshops for local artists and businesses
In May 2019, Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure secured funding of £4.2m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the London Borough of Redbridge for the restoration of the forest to its former natural and wild state. The money will also be used to help threatened species thrive, including eleven species of bat.
Park at a glance
1856 Café
Forest adventures and fresh air mean that a rest and refuel stop at our 1856 café is a must for any trip to Hainault!
Set against a backdrop of stunning forest views our relaxed and informal café space inside the renovated 1856 barn is a perfect spot to grab a bite and we’ve got you covered whatever the time of day and whatever you’re craving.
The café will be open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
and Sat-Sun 9am-6pm.
Kitchen closes at 4:30pm
Foxburrows Barn
Foxburrows Barn is a brand-new function suite set within the magnificent 400 acres of Hainault Forest; the scenic views of the surrounding woodland provide the perfect backdrop for your function or event. Our large open plan room has its own fully stocked bar and adjoining toilets, use of kitchen facilities and the extensive forest surroundings.
If you’d like to know more about our facilities, pricing, and availability or have more specific questions, get in touch with us today.
Foxburrows Farm
Come and meet our furry friends!
We are open 7 days a week school holidays/bank holidays.
We are closed on Mondays during term time.
Summer Opening Hours
April to September
10am to 5pm
Winter Opening Hours
October to March
10am to 4pm
Outdoor Adventure Play Area
The newly built playground at Hainault Forest is now open for children to come and enjoy hours of fun.
The new play installations will tell the story of the site – from the beacon towers to the hermit’s hut – providing children with a range of sensory experiences and play spaces to play physically, imaginatively, and collaboratively.
All play equipment is made from natural wood taking inspiration from the surrounding Forest and its royal history as a Tudor hunting ground. The outdoor play installations complement the storytelling experience that children can discover at the indoor exhibition in the neighbouring barns. The new playground is also home to the biggest slide in Redbridge.
Green Flag Award Park
The national standard for parks and open spaces in England and Wales recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country with Green Flag Status.
Hainault Forest has retained its Green Flag Status for 2024 and will gain automatic entry into the People’s Choice Awards 2024.
Last year Hainault Forest was voted as one Top Ten Best Parks in the UK, please help us secure this spot once again and vote for Hainault Forest in the People’s Choice Awards 2024 until 11 October.
Car Parking
Car parking available at this site, payment via RingGo. No cash payments accepted.
Motorcycles can park for free if they are parked within a bay.
There is no allocated parking for coaches at Hainault Forest. If you wish to bring a coach party you will need to notify the park in advance by emailing Hainaultforest@visionrcl.org.uk
Activities
Our Walking for Health Group meets regularly at Hainault Forest for more see our Walking for Health page.
For more information on regular activities taking place at Hainault Forest, visit the Hainault Forest website.
Volunteering
Forest Workdays
If you have some spare time on your hands and enjoy the great outdoors, why not help us to look after Hainault Forest? It’s a great way to exercise, meet new friends and help the environment, all at the same time.
Volunteer Workday sessions run every Friday and Saturday. Meet at 9:45am to start work at 10am, finishing at 2:30pm. Volunteers are free to leave at any time.
We meet in the second car park of Hainault Forest. What we do each week is based on the forest management plan, and can include planting, scrub clearance, path maintenance, painting, habitat creation, and more.
No pre-booking or previous experience is needed; just turn up on the day. Wear some sturdy, shoes, dress for the weather and bring any drinks and snacks you might want.
Action Days
Join our ranger John for a Monday morning forest clean up! Help us keep our forest clean, protecting our wildlife at the same time. These litter-picking sessions run every Monday, from 10am to 12pm. We meet in the second car park of Hainault Forest.
No pre-booking or previous experience is needed; just turn up on the day. Wear some sturdy, shoes, dress for the weather and bring any drinks and snacks you’d like.
Education & Engagement Volunteer
Do you have a passion for nature and want to share this with others? We are looking for Education & Engagement volunteers to join us.
This role is visitor focused, helping to inspire people to learn about, enjoy and protect Hainault Forest. You could be supporting guided school visits, searching for minibeasts in the school holidays or talking to visitors about wildlife we are protecting.
If this sounds like you, please read the detailed role description and apply here. This role requires an enhanced DBS check and two references, due to working with children and vulnerable adults.
We will invite potential volunteers to an informal interview where we can chat about the role, availability, and answer any questions that you have. We look forward to welcoming our new Education & Engagement volunteers to Hainault Forest.
Watch our short video and discover all the Community Activities available at Hainault Forest
Support your local park
Your donation will help us continue to care for and maintain our parks and allow them to be enjoyed by you, your family and future generations.
