If you’re in Epping this week, we’d love your best local recommendations beyond the obvious: where do you go for a proper coffee and cake, and which independent shops are always worth a browse? We’re also putting together a little “Epping favourites” list for Discover Essex, so tell us your go-to pub lunch spots and any hidden corners around the Forest that deserve more love. What would you suggest to someone visiting for the first time?

Can anyone recommend a decent Sunday roast in Brentwood that isn’t rammed by 1pm? We’ve tried the Queens Arms up near Warley and it was lovely but hard to get a table last minute, and I’m wondering if The Black Horse by Brentwood High Street is any good for food. Also open to anywhere near King George’s Playing Fields for a walk afterwards — where do you all go?

Can anyone recommend a decent Sunday roast in Loughton that isn’t a let-down? I’m torn between trying The Victoria Tavern on High Road and heading up towards The Owl on Epping New Road after a walk round Epping Forest from the Stonards Hill entrance. If you’ve been recently (or know somewhere better nearby like around Debden or Theydon Bois), I’d love to hear what you’d pick and why.