It was a beautiful Sunday morning when I got to Hainault Forest, and the weather was just right. Warm, not too hot, with a lovely breeze coming across the grass.
I spent the whole day here and never felt like I was running out of things to do. This guide follows the day in the order I did it, stop by stop, so you can copy the route or pick the parts that suit you.
*A small donation is encouraged at the farm. Parking is extra and cashless, see below.
Foxburrows Farm, the Best Place to Start
I went straight to the farm first, and I would do the same again. It is one of the real highlights of Hainault, and in the morning it is calm and the animals are out.
There is a lot to see for a small farm. I saw horses, ponies, goats, rabbits, hens and chickens, and a number of peacocks walking about and showing off their feathers, which the children around me loved. The paddocks are laid out with wooden fencing and paths, so it is easy to walk round with a buggy.
Entry to the farm is free, with a small donation encouraged to help with the upkeep of the animals. It is worth putting a coin in, because this is clearly a well cared for place.
The Adventure Playground
From the farm I walked over to the children’s play area. There was plenty for children to do, with climbing frames, slides and lots of space to run around.
Most of the equipment is built from big wooden logs and posts, so it feels like it belongs in a forest rather than a town park. There are benches around the edge where parents were sitting with pushchairs while the kids climbed.
The playground was rebuilt as part of the Hainault Forest restoration project, and Redbridge Council describes it as having the largest slide in the borough.
The Craft Courtyard and the Glass Workshop
Next I explored the Craft Courtyard, which I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did. Local makers were working and selling handmade things, and there were activities for children too, including colouring and painting.
The most interesting part for me was the glass workshop. It sits in an old restored smithy with a working furnace, and you can stand and watch the glass being shaped. Seeing how each piece is actually made is a lot more interesting than just looking at it on a shelf.
The courtyard sits right next to the 1856 Café, which is inside the restored 1856 barn. It is a lovely old brick building with big green doors, and the café looks out across the grass towards the woods.
The Little Park Train
There is a little train that takes you around parts of the forest, and I had to try it. The ride lasted around 20 minutes and went through areas I would not have found on foot.
It does not go around the whole forest, so do not expect a full tour. But it is a nice, easy way to see more of the place, especially with younger children who are already tired from the farm and the playground.
A Picnic Under the Trees
For lunch I had brought my own food, and I found a nice spot surrounded by trees. It was perfect for a picnic, shaded but still warm, with the woodland right behind me.
There is so much space here that you never have to sit close to anyone else, even on a busy Sunday. Just remember that barbecues are not allowed, so bring food that is ready to eat.
Open Grass for a Ball Game
After lunch I spent more time outside, just enjoying the fresh air. The grassland in the middle of the park is huge, and there was plenty of room for kicking a ball about without getting in anyone’s way.
Families were walking across it, kids were running, and it still felt peaceful. This is the part of Hainault that makes it feel far away from the busy streets, even though you are still in London.
Ice Cream Before the Walk
Of course, I could not finish the day without an ice cream. As well as the 1856 Café, there is the Global Café kiosk beside the main path, with ice cream signs you can see from a distance.
A Slow Walk Into the Forest
To finish, I took a slow walk around the forest. The paths are wide and easy near the main area, then narrow as you go further in. It was quiet enough to hear the birds and the wind in the leaves, and the whole atmosphere was calm.
Keep an eye on the trees as you walk. Some of them have been pollarded, cut back to the trunk over many years so they grow thick knobbly heads, and they look almost sculpted against the sky.
This woodland has a real story behind it. Hainault Forest was once a large forest across Essex and what is now Greater London, and most of it was cut down after 1851. The public anger at that destruction helped start the modern conservation movement, and what survives today is protected, with part of the forest managed by the Woodland Trust.
What I Did Not Get To
Even after a full day, I missed a few things. There is a boating lake where you can hire a boat in the warmer months, the Woodland Trust visitor centre with trail information, and a sculpture trail and Woodhenge behind the lake. They are all on my list for next time, and they are good reasons to come back.
If you like Hainault, a few other parks nearby are worth a look: Bedfords Park in Havering Atte Bower has a deer enclosure and its own farm, Valentines Park in Ilford has a boating lake and a mansion, and Epping Forest is the place for a longer woodland walk.
Practical Information
My Honest Verdict
It was a really refreshing day out. Hainault Forest has a mix that is hard to find in one place in London: animals, a proper playground, crafts, a train, open grass and a real old forest to walk in. If you want a full Sunday away from the busy streets without leaving London, this is one of the best choices in the east.
My only tip is to arrive early. The farm is at its best in the morning, the car parks are easier, and it gives you time to do everything at an easy pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the farm at Hainault Forest free?
Yes, entry to Foxburrows Farm is free. A small donation is encouraged to help with the care of the animals.
How much is the train at Hainault Forest?
On my visit the sign showed £3 per person, with cash or card accepted and departures every 20 minutes. The ride lasted around 20 minutes.
Can you have a picnic at Hainault Forest?
Yes, there is plenty of space on the grass and under the trees. Barbecues are not allowed.
Is parking free at Hainault Forest Country Park?
The main car parks are paid and cashless, using the RingGo app. Blue badge holders park free, and there are two small free car parks on the far side of the forest.
What is the nearest station?
Hainault on the Central line, about a 30 minute walk away.
Is Hainault Forest good for young children?
Very. The farm, the adventure playground, the Craft Courtyard activities and the train can easily fill a whole day, and the paths near the main area are fine for pushchairs.
How This Guide Was Put Together
Written after a personal visit to Hainault Forest Country Park on a Sunday in September 2026. All photographs on this page are my own, taken on the day.
The farm animals, playground, Craft Courtyard, glass workshop, picnic spots, open grass and forest walk are described as I found them. The train price and departure details were read from the sign on site. Parking, getting there, facilities and history were checked afterwards against the official Hainault Forest website, Redbridge Council, Vision RCL and the Woodland Trust.
Prices, opening times and activities can change, so check the official Hainault Forest website before a long journey.
Last checked: 22 September 2026
Sources
- Hainault Forest official website, Getting Here, Craft Courtyard and 1856 Café pages
- Redbridge Council, Hainault Forest park page and Discover Redbridge news
- Vision RCL, Hainault Forest park information
- Woodland Trust, Hainault Forest visitor information
Author
Steve visits every park featured on EKS Parks in person, checking practical details against councils, park operators and official sources. Every guide is based on a personal visit, and the photographs published with it are his own.
About Steve