Working down there for a few weeks and stopping over,  lad I work with rides to so getting him out for a ride rather than poncing around in some fancy pub with him getting pissed sounds a WAY better option.

No idea of exact location either so just in general pls.

Epping Forest isn't bad, you'll be riding all over the unmarked graves of some cockerney wankah criminals too.  What's not to like?

If it's East Essex, the terrain is flatter and very rural but you can still find some decent singletrack if you look hard enough.  Danbury in Chelmsford use to be well worth a punt, as did Friday Woods in Colchester. 

Cool,  that gives me a clue when I get there,  thanks!!