Queens Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge ADDRESS: QUEEN ELIZABETH'S HUNTING LODGE RANGERS ROAD (B1081) CHINGFORD LONDON E4 7QH phone: 020 8529 6681 nearest train station: Chingford Railway Station 0.3 miles (0.5 km) Buckhurst Hill 1.36 miles (2.2 km)

The lodge was commissioned by King Henry VIII and built in 1543 though there is no evidence to show the King actually ever got to visit the Lodge (he was in ill health at this time). At this time the timber framed building was called ‘The Great Standing’. After he died its thought Queen Elizabeth I used the Lodge was responsible for a number of repairs carried out in 1589. Today it’s a grade II listed building. It is not known exactly what the original use of the lodge was. Most commonly this was thought to be either for watching deer hunting or for actually shooting the deer from. After 1604 the Lodge ceased to be used in connection with hunting at all and has been open to the general public since 1895. When it first opened to the public it was used as a museum of Natural history and archaeology but today is simply a monument to itself and its former Tudor era.
Notable was the fact that the original building was an open design with open gaps between the timbers to enable the hunters/archers clear shots. It also has 3 floors, the only Standing in the England to have more than 2 floors. Today the Queen Elizabeth Hunting lodge stands in Epping Forest (6,000 acres of open space) as an example of Tudor carpentry being a timber framed building. Exhibits inside the lodge include dressing up clothes which children are permitted to try on and other activities include a quiz trail and brass rubbings. During the year a changing timetable of activities takes place around the building such as archery, puppet shows, recorder workshops, craft events and Tudor style picnics. Nearby facilities include Toilets, parking, shop, café and a pub.

Features include of the lodge include the top floor Hunting Lodge with its striking ceiling, the first floor King’s Shooting gallery and the Royal Kitchen. The Willingale Axe, said to have been used by Thomas Willingale on 11th November 1860 to affirm his ancient rights to chop branches from the trees of Epping forest is displayed here.

Free Admission

Open:
1 May to 30 September: Wed - Fri 1.00pm to 5.00pm and Sat / Sun 11.00am to 5.00pm
1 October to 30 April: Sat and Sun 1.00 - 4.00pm


Queens Hunting Lodge Website

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