For hundreds of years London has been growing ever larger, its boundaries spreading from the confines of the medieval city and swallowing up once rural villages such as Hackney, covering London’s countryside with housing. After 1800 growth intensified to meet the ever-increasing demands of industry and commerce, and the threatened loss of London’s green spaces aroused increasing opposition. Mark Gorman tells the story of the campaigns to save London’s open spaces, notably the landmark struggle for Epping Forest, as well as the fight to save Hackney Downs and other local open land. Highlighting the role of popular protest in these campaigns, this is the story of ordinary Londoners and their part in saving London’s green spaces.