Turpin's Cave
About
Turpin's Cave is an area of Epping Forest in Essex which has been attributed as a hiding place of the highwayman Dick Turpin.
Dick Turpin knew Epping Forest well and organised many criminal activities from a base between the Loughton Road and Kings Oak Road, which in legend became known as 'Turpin's cave'. After an incident in May 1737, Turpin escaped to Epping Forest, where he hid (according to accounts "in a cave"). He was seen by Thomas Morris, a servant of one of the Forest's keepers close to what is now 'The Robin Hood' pub. Morris armed with pistols, attempted to capture Turpin on the 4th of May; Turpin however shot and killed him with a carbine. The murder was reported in The Gentleman's Magazine The terrain in most of Epping Forest comprises Bagshot Beds, which are sand and gravel and not solid enough to provide habitable caves such as the one illustrated.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
Epping Forest
Ancient woodland and former royal forest in Essex and Greater London
0.7 mi away
Loughton Camp
Hillfort in Essex, England
0.7 mi away
Sewardstone
Hamlet in Essex, England
1.5 mi away
National Jazz Archive
British jazz and blues research archive
1.6 mi away
Lippitts Hill
Notable place
1.1 mi away
Holy Innocents Church, High Beach
Church in Essex, England
0.3 mi awayPlaces to eat nearby
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