The Temple is situated in the middle of Wanstead Park. It was designed in the 18th century as a feature for the formal gardens of historic Wanstead Park, complete with a classic portico.
These days, The Temple serves as a visitor centre where you can discover the story of Wanstead House and the park that surrounded it. Its enclosure also hosts regular events and an annual open air theatre!
By tube
- Central
- Redbridge
- Wanstead
For help planning your journey, please see
By bus
The following bus routes call close to Wanstead Park:
101, 145, 308, W12, W13, W14, W19.
By car
The Temple is located in Wanstead Park. Limited disabled parking is available for blue badge holders outside The Temple itself; with access from Warren Road, E11 2LS.
Unfortunately, parking is not available on site for other users; but street parking is widely available nearby.
For more information about our car parks, including opening times. please see our car parks page.
We regret that dogs - other than assistance dogs - are not allowed within the building.
The Temple tells the story of Wanstead Park from the Roman era right up to the present.
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Discover the fascinating history of the 'lost' Roman villa through sections of painted wall plaster and pieces of mosaic
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Explore the story of the Regency romance gone wrong that led to the downfall and destruction of the estate
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Examine the catalogue from the 1822 auction that spelled the end for Wanstead House
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See the battered remains of statues that were once the glory of the gardens
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Try on a variety of hats from different periods of Wanstead’s history, from Roman helmets to Victorian bonnets!
As a visitor centre, The Temple also provides information on Wanstead Park and Epping Forest to help you make the most of your visit.
Find out more
Visit our heritage pages to find out more about Wanstead Park and its history.
Don’t forget to visit Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge and our Visitor Centre at Chingford, where you can find out all about Epping Forest.