From the thicket of Epping Forest, the captivating tale of an infamous British folk hero emerges. Epping Forest, furnished with ancient trees, woodland paths, and an aura of mystery, is believed to have been the hideout of the infamous highwayman, Dick Turpin. Embellished through countless retellings, the legend of Turpin has become an integral part of English folklore. Born in Hempstead, Essex, in 1705, Turpin initially took on his father’s trade of butchery. However, soon his life descended into thievery and he was reputed to have joined the infamous ‘Essex Gang’ also known as the ‘Gregory Gang’, known for their burglaries and theft. Although the gang was eventually apprehended, Turpin managed to evade arrest. He then turned his hand to highway robbery and took shelter in the impervious depths of Epping Forest – his hideaway and primary stage of operations. Turpin, along with his faithful horse Black Bess, ambushed unsuspecting travellers on the secluded woodland paths, commanding them to ‘Stand and Deliver!’ Despite his wicked ways, stories of his daring dramatically romanticised the character of Dick Turpin. The climax of Turpin’s brutal life came with his capture in York for horse theft, a crime considered punishable by death in the 18th century. His execution in 1739, at Knavesmire, became a grand spectacle, ultimately sealing his fame throughout the centuries. Today, the legend of Dick Turpin lives on in Epping Forest, with locals attributing eerie sounds and ghostly apparitions to his lingering presence, forever immortalising him into the tapestry of folklore.