Epping Forest photographic study. Epping forest, on the outskirts of London was harvested for wood for hundreds of years. During the industrial revolution pollution became unacceptable, and the government began to recognise the need to protect green spaces. In 1882 Queen Victoria declared it 'the peoples forest' in recognition of this need. Harvesting of living wood was banned and the forest was allowed to grow naturally creating the unique forest that we see today.