The Thames Chase Community Forest was initiated in 1990 as one of England's twelve original Community Forests.
Broadfields, where the centre is located, was once a collection of industrial sites and intensive arable fields before its landscape restoration project.
The site acts as a major carbon sink, with millions of trees planted across the wider forest region since its inception.
The centre is managed by the Thames Chase Trust, a charity dedicated to environmental education and conservation.
Much of the site's topography was re-contoured during the restoration process to create natural drainage and wetland habitats.
Thames Chase Forest Centre serves as the visitor hub for the Community Forest, a 40-square-mile initiative spanning East London and South West Essex. The site is situated within the Broadfields site, a restored landscape that features reclaimed agricultural land, wetlands, and young woodlands. The centre provides educational resources, community space, and direct access to a network of multi-user trails suitable for walking, cycling, and horse riding. It operates as the gateway to the wider Thames Chase landscape, which encompasses varied sites such as the Mardyke Valley and Ingrebourne Valley. The Forest Centre building itself is a restored 18th-century barn complex, housing a cafe, exhibition area, and gift shop. The surrounding parkland showcases successful environmental regeneration, having transformed from intensive farming to a biodiverse habitat over several decades.
The raised viewing platforms overlooking the wetland pools and the historical exterior of the restored Broadfields barn.
Check the path conditions in the visitor centre before heading out, as some trails can become muddy after rainfall.
Bring binoculars if you plan to visit the wetlands, as the area attracts a wide variety of migratory birds.
Wear footwear suitable for uneven, unpaved terrain.
Attempting to access the trails in low-traction footwear after heavy rain, and straying from marked paths into delicate conservation zones.
Keep dogs under close control, especially near grazing livestock or wildlife habitats; take all litter home.
