Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, originally known as the Great
Standing, was built for Henry VIII in 1543. It was constructed as a
grandstand or platform that allowed guests both to view the hunt
from a high vantage point, participate by shooting their crossbows
from the upper floors and a venue for royal Tudor ‘corporate
hospitality’ to show off the wealth and power of the king.
Today it is a peaceful and atmospheric building set in the
historic semi-natural woodland of
Epping Forest, five minutes’ walk from Chingford Station.
Visitors may also use the Hunting Lodge’s own car park.
Refreshments are available from the adjacent pub or nearby on
Station Road, Chingford.
The Hunting Lodge is open throughout the year. Entrance is free
though donations are very welcome. There are three floors. On the
ground floor, there is a colourful and fascinating display of Tudor
foods and replica kitchenware. The upper floors are particularly
remarkable for their good views over Chingford Plain and Epping
Forest and also provide displays on Tudor carpentry joints and
costume. Children may enjoy rummaging in our basket of Tudor
dressing-up clothes or (for 50p) doing a brass-rubbing of Henry
VIII and Elizabeth.
We run a busy programme of events for both adults and children
with a themed craft afternoon on the first Saturday of every month,
activities during half-term and school holidays and a variety of
lively historical re-enactments and musical events throughout the
year.
Contact details
Tel 020 8529 6681 during opening hours 020 8529 7090 outside
opening hours.
QEHL Public opening hours
Please find out details of the Opening hours at Queen
Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge by going to the Epping
Forest Visitor Centres page
Access
The ground floor is wheelchair accessible. The upper two floors
are only accessible by stair but staff on request, will be happy to
bring objects downstairs to show and discuss. There is a disabled
toilet in an adjoining building.
Facilities
Facilities in the area include a shop,toilets, parking,
refreshments.
In 2010-2011, the Stable Block and Coach House next to QEHL
will be converted into a new Visitor Centre complete with a
community room, exhibition space and shop. This will be
complemented by a refurbished cafe, "Butlers Retreat." QEHL will
remain in use throughout this period. 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 QEHL car park will be unavailable and the car
park opposite will be partially or completely out of use some of
the time. Please check shortly before a visit, if you cannot park
in the Bury Road car park instead and walk from there. We apologise
in advance for this temporary inconvenience, it will be well worth
it once the new facilities open.
Events
See the
Epping Forest events page.
To book a visit call the Forest Centres Officer 020 8529
7090.
To book an educational visit please go to our
Learning in Epping Forest page or contact our
Lifelong Learning
Officer