The Hunting Lodge in the spring
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge is next door to the The View and was built for Henry VIII in 1543. It was intended as a grandstand from which the King’s guests could view the Royal hunt and participate by shooting the deer with crossbows from the upper floors. In Tudor times, it would have functioned as a venue for royal ‘corporate hospitality’ as a means of displaying the wealth and power of the king. The Hunting Lodge is a remarkable and rare survival: an intact timber-framed hunt standing still surrounded by its medieval royal hunting forest. There is a varied programme of events throughout the year.
Contact us
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Rangers Road, Chingford E4 7QH
Tel: 020 8529 6681 or epping.forest@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Getting here
Facilities
Public toilets are available during opening hours.
Baby changing is available.
Fully accessible ground floor.
Hearing loop available.
Opening times
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm* all year round including Bank Holidays; it is closed on Christmas Day.
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge is closed until 11.45am on the following dates for staff training:
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
*The Hunting Lodge will be closed to the public when school groups and booked tours are using the building. During these times, visitors can enjoy visiting The View or Butler's Retreat.
The Hunting Lodge is available for pre-booked groups outside of our public opening times. Please contact the Forest Centres Officer: Lifelong Learning.
Tudor food displays
The Kitchen: what did our Tudor visitors eat?
Our Tudor kitchen offers two tables of impressive replica Tudor food including ‘flesh and fish’ and ‘banqueting stuff’, which includes more everyday Tudor food that would have been eaten by the King’s servants and is arranged by the 1590 brick fireplace.
Henry VIII and Elizabeth I
The First Floor: what did they wear?
All ages will enjoy our Tudor dressing up box. Why not take a family photograph next to the cardboard cut-outs of Henry Vlll or Queen Elizabeth ?
Awarded 2011,2012 and 2013.
The Second Floor: look up and look out
Enjoy the views across Chingford Plain and the forest beyond from the second floor windows. Or look up and marvel at the puzzle of the timber roof construction. We have a selection of replica joints and models on display to help you understand how the Hunting Lodge was constructed.