3 February 2012
Newly refurbished Butler’s Retreat Café / Restaurant opens 6
February
The City of London Corporation is delighted to announce the
reopening of Butler’s Retreat in Epping Forest on 6 February. The
historic building in the heart of the Forest has now been
refurbished and will be serving delicious food from 9am to 5pm
Monday to Friday and 8am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.
Built in the mid-19th century, Butler’s Retreat is one of the
last remaining Victorian Retreats within Epping Forest, and takes
its name from the 1891 occupier, John Butler. Retreats originally
served refreshments as part of the Temperance movement and were
extremely popular with visitors London’s East End.
With the aid of funding provided by the Heritage Lottery
Branching Out project, the retreat has been restored to its former
glory, and will now form part of a new ‘Epping Forest visitor
hub’.
Butler’s Retreat seek to provide visitors with the very best
produce – local, artisan and organic where possible – and to cater
well for vegetarians and those with other dietary requirements.
Later this year, Butler’s Retreat will extend their opening,
offering an upstairs restaurant in the evenings, when the
downstairs area will transform into a bar serving mezze and tapas.
Summer will play host to a whole range of special events, ranging
from live music to hog roasts.
The serving hatch will remain open for those wishing to stop for
a quick tea or coffee, or some homemade ice-cream, whilst they are
out and about enjoying Epping Forest.
Superintendent of Epping Forest, Paul Thomson, said: “We are
delighted that we can now welcome Epping Forest visitors to the
beautifully restored Butler’s Retreat to enjoy a diverse and
tempting menu. We hope that all will enjoy both the unique ambience
of this historic building and the spectacular setting provided by
Epping Forest’s ancient woodland and the nearby Queen Elizabeth’s
Hunting Lodge.”
For further information on Butler’s Retreat visit
www.worldslarder.co.uk/ and for further
information on Epping Forest and the Branching Out project please
visit
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest
Ends
Epping Forest:
Epping Forest, a major public open space and a site of
international importance for its cultural and wildlife value, is
owned and managed by the City of London. The City of London
Corporation is the local authority for the City of London, the
financial and commercial heart of Britain. Since the 1870’s it has
had a policy of protecting open spaces for the enjoyment of
Londoners. This policy was subsequently adopted by central and
local government and the Green Belt was born.
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in
international finance and business services and provides local
services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting
the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the
nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School
of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision
(including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including
Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court
at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food
markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the
Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and
the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to
charity annually.
About the Branching Out project:
The Heritage Lottery Fund granted £4.76 m towards the £6.8m
Branching Out project, which started in 2009. The remaining money
is coming from the City of London, Essex County Council and other
key project partners. This exciting five year project began in 2009
to bring the past to life and help preserve the Forest for future
enjoyment.
Heritage - Epping Forest trees have seen many
centuries come and go. To bring this history alive, Epping Forest
is building a new interpretation centre at the coach house next to
the Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, Chingford. The display will
include our letters, books, diaries and recently discovered archive
materials. We are also returning Butler’s Retreat to its former
Victorian glory as a Tea Room and offering 25 schools the
opportunity to explore the Forest through our education programme
Discovering Epping Forest.
Access - Epping Forest is improving access for
everyone to get to and enjoy the Forest by: creating six way marked
trails; outreach activities to introduce people and communities who
have never visited before; giving the public the chance to care for
and enjoy the Forest through volunteering, events and activities;
improving car parks and accessible paths. The Forest Transport
Strategy in partnership with Essex County Council will emphasise
the special nature of the Forest with Gateway constructions on main
routes in, reduction of speed limits, cattle grids and closure of
selected roads to conserve the habitat.
Trees - Keystone trees, many over 400 years
old, have been selected from Epping Forest’s 50,000 veteran
pollards for conservation work. We have purchased a 30m high cherry
pickers and are employing 15 apprentice arborists over the next
five years to support this work.
Grazing - The Wood Pasture of Epping Forest is
a rare and valuable habitat of international significance. To
preserve this, Epping Forest will be increasing the number of
cattle on the Forest and extending the grazing season.
For further press details please contact: John Park, T 020 7332
1528 or email
john.park@cityoflondon.gov.uk