Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge - London

Jade C. (. C.

Great place to visit. Very interesting and very well kept. Friendly staff. 💚

o S.

Interesting and has an example of the food they used to eat, the clothes they wear and the history. Plus they got a nice shop to visit that also has some art work on cows, and more information upstairs about the history. It is worth a visit and has a lovely place called Butlers restaurant you can get some think to eat after. The staff are also happy to tell you the history of the place and will go into more detail then me, but if you fancy a nice walk after it leads on to epping forest as well.

HistoryNeedsYou

This is a very unusual building because it was originally constructed by Henry VIII as a grandstand! His daughter, Elizabeth had it reconstructed more as a banqueting house. This is why it lacks the kitchen and services associated with a house. It really was just a function space! Preserved by the City of London for all to enjoy, it is well worth visiting

kim E.

Beautifully maintained hunting lodge, built by Henry VIII and renovated by ElizabethI. Friendly and very knowledgeable staff on hand to provide insights into the use and development of the Lodge. I would also recommend a visit to the nearby Epping Forest Visitors Centre and the Butlers Retreat for refeshments.

Kimbe I.

I love this place but that's because I like history. Don't go expecting to see it full of the things that would have been there over 400 years ago but it gives a good idea into how Queen Elizabeth would have celebrated the hunts and sat down to feast.
Beautiful old oak staircase and building 😍
You can also follow the Epping forest trails or go to the visitor centre.
A lovely morning out I'd say.

Robert D.

A great building that has so much history attatched to it with Elizabeth 1st and Henry 8th being visitors or residents at some point . It’s been preserved as far as that is humanly possible to the point where the exterior timber beams have been painted the same colour as the rest of the wall in keeping with the times . The fireplaces have also been burnt out and replaced or refurbed , but to the naked eye the rest is as it was . Free entry so worth a look for the top floor views of the forest alone

Dan

Tudor history, dress-up, good location AND free admission; a great place to visit.

A self guided tour card is provided on request as you enter then three floors of history await; the ground focussing primarily on Tudor food & the original use of the Hunting Lodge; the first floor has Tudor dress-up; & the third usually has a hands on exhibit concerning construction methods and materials for the Hunting Lodge. Sadly the dress up & construction exhibits were not on display this visit.
Good for your own self interest and for kids, particularly when combined with a visit to the adjacent Epping Forest Information Centre.

A garden backing onto Epping Forest offers outdoor space, perhaps to enjoy a picnic, & the Butlers Retreat is next-door for coffee, cake & snacks.

The volunteer/team have been very supportive when visiting with children with special educational needs & disabilities (SEND), making visits accessibly, however there are stairs that may be difficult for those with limited mobility.

There is a limited amount of paid parking at the front of the information centre and across the road - free for blue badge holders.

Stella S.

Well planned, beautiful visitor centre with shop, information desk, public conviences and a small permanent exhibition on the ground floor. Shop offers ice cream including vegan options! First floor includes a temporary exhibition space and a large, winding, immersive and interactive exhibit all about Epping Forest that is perfectly set within an amazingly conserved building. So creative and interesting. Right outside the visitor centre is the Tudor hunting lodge, which is also filled with information and interesting information regarding the forest's past royal use. Kind staff. A great starting point for all walks around the centre of the gorgeous forest.