Epping (ep'ing) Forest, formerly an extensive tract of rough woodland sixteen miles northeast of London. It is now a region of villages and parks engaged largely in dairying. Queen Elizabeth had her hunting lodge here. It was customary for many a year to turn a stag loose on Easter Monday to be hunted for the amusement of the public. A remnant of Epping Royal Forest, about 3,000 acres, was acquired in 1871 by the corporation of London as a public park and place of recreation. The purchase, enlargement, and reforesting cost the city about $3,000,000. There are yet many magnificent beech and oak trees. The park is easily reached by suburban trains, and is a favorite place for picnic parties from the city. Tennyson was living in this forest when he wrote his Talking Oak and Locksley Hall.