Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, Epping Forest
Home » Travel »Continuing on with my series of ‘Things To Do For Free In…‘ is an attraction in Epping Forest (which covers London and Essex) that you visit for free, (there is a donation box) and learn a bit of history at the same time – Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge.
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, is a unique example of a surviving timber-framed hunt standing still surrounded by its medieval royal hunting forest. Visitors to the Hunting Lodge, built on the orders of Henry VIII in 1543, can today enjoy exhibitions on Tudor history and soak up the atmosphere of this incredible historic building nearly 500 years after it was first built.
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge is located on Rangers Road, Chingford. There is free parking at a small car park across the road, but if you’re out for a walk in Epping Forest, you could park further away and walk to the lodge.
It was actually my mum who told me about the hunting lodge. I’d mentioned to her that we were popping to Epping Forest for a few hours, and asked her about The Royal Forest, which is a pub/restaurant that her and my dad were assistant managers at in the 70s. I couldn’t remember if this was the same place, and she said that it was and also told me about Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge next door.
The Royal Forest is now a Premier Inn and a Brewer’s Fayre, so if you’re after a bite to eat when you’re in the area, you can always pop in for lunch! We didn’t on this occasion – maybe next time!
We’d already spent a few hours walking around the forest (a blog post for another time) and drove along Rangers Road until we found the lodge. We parked up, crossed the road and opened up the old wooden door to go inside.
As we walked in, I noticed a donations box, and made a mental note to pop some coins in there when we were leaving. There was a member of staff at the entrance who gave us a guide sheet to explain things as we explored each level of the building.
The ground floor has two tables set up like a Tudor feast…
…then there is a fireplace area. I really do like it when historical attractions are set up as though they were in use.
You can then walk up the 500 year old staircase to the other two floors, where you’ll find costumes – that you can try on – and a place to do brass rubbings. I remember as a child loving doing this on school trips!
Speaking of school trips, the lodge is closed to the public when these are going on, so it’s best to give them a call beforehand just to check.
There are three floors in the Hunting Lodge, each with a themed display.
Discover the sights and sounds of a Tudor kitchen on the ground floor, where you can find out about the types of food that different social classes would have cooked and eaten during the Tudor period. Pottage bubbles away in the 1590 brick fireplace, replica food adorns the tables and the cook can even be heard to dish out her instructions every now and then!
Explore the world of Tudor fashion on the first floor, where we have a range of Tudor outfits from different decades for you to try on. Why not take a family photograph next to the cardboard cut-outs of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I? You’ll fit right in.
Enjoy the spectacular views across the forest from the second floor windows, or look up and marvel at the puzzle of the timber roof construction. You can find out more about the construction of the Hunting Lodge and even have a go at putting our replica joints together yourself.
You have some stunning views from the windows of the lodge, and I love that the building just reeked of history. We were told that they had recently installed a sound system to play sounds into the building to give more of an ambience, which I agreed was a great idea. There were young children visiting with their parents too, and I think you could spend around half an hour to an hour here on a day out in Epping Forest.
We walked back down the stairs and dropped a few pounds into the donation box as we appreciate free things to do, but of course, want to support the upkeep of such historical landmarks too.
We walked around the back of Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and sat down on a bench to admire the views, before making a move to carry on walking around the forest.
Combine a visit to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge with an exploration of Epping Forest, and the fact that it is all free is a big bonus. The forest is steeped in history, and there is plenty of free parking. You can also reach the lodge from Chingford Bus + Train Stations (it’s a 5 to 10 minute uphill walk). Take a picnic and save even more money, but if you want to dine out, then there is the Royal Forest next door, as well as the Butler’s Retreat a short walk away.
Helen
September 8, 2014 @ 11:21 am
I love this – we are always looking for ‘free’ things and (wrongly) assumed that London was too expensive to visit – obviously we just have to look a little further and avoid the major tourist bits. :)
Michelle Ordever
September 25, 2014 @ 7:45 pm
There are loads of free things to do in London, you just have to find them! A lot of the museums in central London are free these days too. It’s all the other things – travel, food, drinks etc that soon add up!!
Sam
March 23, 2014 @ 5:59 pm
I’ve driven past this so many times but never realised what it was. I think we might take the kids there over the Easter holidays and then go for a good old trample about in the woods for a while too!
Michelle Ordever
March 23, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
Amazing what we can miss isn’t it? Epping Forest is huge and plenty of places to go trampling about in the woods! x
plasticrosaries
March 23, 2014 @ 11:24 am
We would completely adore this – we have a similar set up nearby although they do charge and I could spend hours there, much to the annoyance of the not quite old enough children ;)
Michelle Ordever
March 23, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
Some things are just more suited to older children, but there were a couple of littluns running about with their parents having a good old time!
Vaichin@RamblingThroughParenth
March 23, 2014 @ 11:05 am
I adore places with a bit of history, and this fits the bill perfectly. And free!
Michelle Ordever
March 23, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
Free is always fab! Days out can cost a fortune!
sonya
March 23, 2014 @ 9:03 am
I love places like this that really bring history alive, interesting and fun for all the family – and even better when they are free!!
Michelle Ordever
March 23, 2014 @ 6:40 pm
When my mum read this piece she was amazed at how it was inside, she said she was sure it used to just be an old empty building back in the 70s!
kj19
March 23, 2014 @ 7:59 pm
it was because it was burnt down
Red Rose Mummy
March 22, 2014 @ 11:37 pm
What an interesting place to visit. I love these hidden places that you find out about through word of mouth, completely fascinating!
Michelle Ordever
March 23, 2014 @ 6:40 pm
I agree! After tweeting, Epping Forest told me about another place – Wanstead Temple which we’ll have to check out :D
Michelle Murray
March 22, 2014 @ 8:18 pm
Wow. I love your photos they are amazing. Sounds great too. http://www.mummy2monkeys.co.uk
Mellissa Williams
March 22, 2014 @ 4:54 pm
Wow that’s an interesting place, a little bit of history and close to Epping Forest too, you could make a day of it, with a picnic
The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover
kj19
March 22, 2014 @ 3:51 pm
This is great! great images.. I’m born and bred from Chingford and my school is just down the rd from there… if you go further up the rd you got stunning lakes you can walk round and go feed the ducks.. I must go have a look at the hunting lodge again
Michelle Ordever
March 23, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
I used to live in Wanstead and went to school in Woodford Green, so it feels like this is my old stomping ground lol. Need to explore Epping Forest a bit more this year – it’s huge!
kj19
March 23, 2014 @ 7:58 pm
small world hey! I showed my hubby your pics, we are gonna go there soon and have a look around, we didnt realise it was back open after it got burn out