The Outskirts of London

Every couple of weeks me and my three best friends (my squad) go to Epping forest which is just on the outskirts of London. Me and my best friend still study in London but the other two are studying up north 5 hours away so we don’t get to see them often but when they come down to see us we always know where we’re hanging out. Epping forest is a beautiful place, with lots of trees but lots of wide open spaces where the sun shines brighter than anywhere else in England. We’d all buy snacks and make sandwiches, bring poetry books to read to each other and play music from our custom playlists.

When we’re there, nothing else matters, just laying together on the ground and staring up at the sky in silence feels amazing and feeling the comfort of each other is enough for us. Sometimes the people local to the forest will walk past, only one or two every few hours, and they’d see us and smile and say hi – it’s always best when they have a dog because they let us pet them and laugh when they see how happy we are. It is where we have all admitted we feel the happiest, which is strange because we are lucky enough to live in one of the best cities in the world, and I love London so much with all my heart but something about getting away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of the city just makes me feel so content.

By Shayma E., 19, London