Baldwins Hill, Loughton

Baldwins Hill forms part of the area of Loughton known locally as "The Hills" - Baldwins Hill, York Hill, Kings Hill, Pump Hill and Woodbury Hill all lie on a ridge which overlooks Epping Forest.

 

Towards the end of the 19th century, Loughton, and the Hills area in particular, became very popular with a number of artists and intellectuals because of their proximity to Epping Forest. The sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959) lived at "Deerhurst" (50 Baldwins Hill) between 1935 and 1956.

 

There is a diversity of architectural styles in the area (including a wooden chalet imported from Switzerland in 1849!) but most houses are of Victorian origin. All the building plots on the west side of Baldwins Hill were enclosed from the Forest before the passing of the Epping Forest Act of 1878. However, the Act did allow houses already illegally established to remain.

 

 

Map of Baldwins Hill Conservation Area