The Epping Forest in-house education service is based at
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge (QEHL) in Chingford. It also covers
the wider environment of the Forest. Although donations are
gratefully received, our in-house education service is free. Our
service is complemented by those provided by three other
independent learning providers (see 'Outdoor Learning' below).
Learning events
Every Epping Forest
leisure event provides an opportunity for learning and most are
structured with specific learning objectives. We run frequent
events, talks and guided walks. Take a look at our events list to
discover how you can have fun learning about the history, ecology
and management of the Forest. The staff at the
Visitor Centre in High Beach are there to answer your
questions so feel free to pay the Centre a visit or to give the
team there a call.
Themed family learning activities are held at QEHL at least one
weekend per month and there are family events at each of the three
Forest Centres during the half-term holidays; QEHL where the event
usually has a Tudor or a Victorian theme, the
Visitor Centre in High Beach where the focus is on
ecology and The Temple in Wanstead Park which is an attractive
eighteenth century building. Learning events include a
‘making’ activity aimed at 8-11 year olds but which is
suitable for all ages. Look at our forthcoming events list, or
contact the Lifelong Learning Officer
to find out what's happening. Our next Half-Term holiday Family
Learning Events are as follows:
Please click below to find out details of our Half Term Family
Learning Events in May 2012:
May 2012 Family Learning
Events (227kb)
Learning at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge (QEHL)
QEHL is a unique, atmospheric timber-framed 'hunt standing'
(grandstand) built for Henry VIII. It overlooks Chingford Plain
with the beautiful, accessible Forest stretching beyond. The
building has displays on royal deer hunting, Tudor construction and
Tudor food. There are opportunities to touch and smell
interesting objects, to dress-up in replica Tudor clothes and to
look in detail at an authentic Tudor building. There are
also lots of places of educational value within walking distance of
QEHL. A visit will bring life to any relevant area of study.
The building has a fascinating history but it is also used for
learning on a wide variety of subjects including art and local
geography. Groups of all ages and abilities visit for informal
tours or curriculum-oriented sessions led by knowledgeable,
enthusiastic staff.
QEHL is accessible by foot, road and rail with parking and
public transport links close at hand.
The following downloads will help you to make your way to
QEHL
Informal learning (leisure)
Adult groups such as retirement clubs and children’s leisure
groups can book guided tours of the building out of public opening
hours. Please contact the Lifelong Learning Officer
to enquire about a tour.
Formal learning (schools)
School sessions take place outside seasonal public opening
hours. This means that your class will have QEHL to themselves!
The standard school sessions at
QEHL are aimed at KS1 (1 hour) and KS2 (1.5 hours) with adaptations
made for classes with special educational needs.
Tailor-made sessions can involve simple art activities related
to the session theme.
We currently offer the following standard sessions:
- Gunpowder Plot KS1
- Looking at a Tudor Building KS1
- Tudor Times at QEHL KS2 (can be adapted for KS1)
- Epping Forest through History (Case study: Victorians)
KS2
Every session is guaranteed to be an enjoyable learning
experience using as many of the senses as possible. Further
information, including how to plan a visit to QEHL,
is available in our Teachers' Pack.
Teachers can pre-order Tudor-themed goody bags for collection at
the end of their session. The bags contain fun, educational items
and are competitively priced.
Teachers often carry out independent activities outside QEHL
immediately before or after a booked visit. We support this with
free activity sheets and the loan of clipboards.
Sessions are carefully monitored to ensure high standards
of delivery that respond to user need. This quality is reflected in
consistently complimentary feedback and growing demand for
sessions. A Teachers’ Forum comprising local educational
professionals who use the service, advises on future development.
The Lifelong Learning Officer would be
delighted to hear from you if you would be interested in joining
the Forum.
Useful documents for schools
The following are available to download or open here
Please submit a booking request online by clicking on the
link below to request a school session:
Request a school
session
Your booking will only be secure once your form has been
received and acknowledged.
New Chingford visitor centre
In 2012 a new Visitor Centre complete with a community
room, exhibition space and shop will be opening. This will be
complemented by a refurbished cafe, "Butlers Retreat" which is
already open. The Hunting Lodge will remain in use throughout
the work. There will be some unavoidable inconvenience to users
such as extra noise, mud and temporary toilet facilities; please
bear with us. While the work is being completed, the Hunting
Lodge car park will be unavailable. Please contact
us shortly before a visit if you are unable to walk
from the Bury Road car park which is being used instead. We
apologise in advance for this temporary inconvenience; it will be
well worth it once the new facilities open.
Schools Licencing
Apart from Wanstead Flats where booking is required for pitches,
schools are no longer required to obtain a free licence to use open
parts of the Forest. However, you are advised to contact The Warren
(Tel 020 8532 1010) to check that the area is suitable and that no
one else will be using it at the same time. Large groups (30+)
should inform us for health and safety reasons.
Loughton Brook is heavily used by Epping Forest Field Centre
(EFFC) for teaching purposes. Please contact EFFC (Tel 020 8502
8500) if you intend to bring classes to Loughton Brook.
Outdoor learning
Environmental sessions particularly relevant to the study of
Geography and Science, are available from
Epping Forest Field Centre and
Suntrap Forest Education Centre. Both offer
recreational activities for families and adults as well as
school-oriented sessions .
Informal outdoor learning and practical activities are provided
by Epping Forest
Centenary Trust. The Trust particularly supports people who
would otherwise find it hard to access and enjoy the Forest.
Discovering Epping Forest (DEF) Programme
The three-year DEF programme is part of the
HLF-funded Branching Out Project. It is a partnership between
the four Epping Forest learning providers; City of London
Corporation (based at
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge), Epping Forest Field Centre
(part of the Field Studies Council), Suntrap Field Centre and
Epping Forest Centenary Trust. DEF was launched in September 2009
and involves Year 5 classes from 25 local primary schools
participating in six outdoor learning experiences every year. The
aim is introduce pupils and teachers to the Forest as an
accessible, exciting place to learn. For further information, see
'Recent Achievements'.
Contact for learning in Epping
Forest
Jo Price (Lifelong Learning Officer), Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting
Lodge
c/o The Coach House, Ranger’s Road, Chingford E4 7QH.
Tel 020 8529 6607
Email
eppingforest@cityoflondon.gov.uk