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The Temple explores the history of Wanstead Park through the Roman, Regency and Victorian periods to the present day.

The Temple has:

  • A history of the Park's Roman Villa, told through mosaics and other items from our museum collection
  • A tale of Regency romance gone wrong, fit to rival the best period drama
  • Statues which once stood throughout the Park
  • A gift shop full of Forest-themed giftware for all ages
  • Public toilets
  • Friendly, knowledgeable staff on hand to answer all your questions

Opening days and times

The Temple is open 12 noon to 5.00 pm on the second weekend of each month, April to September.

Saturday and Sunday 13 and 14 April

Saturday and Sunday 11 and 12 May

Saturday and Sunday 8 and 9 June

Saturday and Sunday 13 and 14 July

Saturday and Sunday 11 and 12 August

Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 September

Our summer season of outdoor theatre at The Temple will be running from May to August. Details coming soon.

Public transport

The Temple can be reached from Redbridge and Wanstead Stations on the Central, and a number of bus routes through the area. Visit TfL's Journey Planner to plan your trip to the Centre.

Parking

The Temple has a small disabled-only car park for Blue Badge holders, and street parking is available in limited amounts in the surrounding area.

The Temple is a largely accessible Grade II*-listed building with an array of accessible exhibited material.

Please read the following for a breakdown of the building, with access requirements for each area of it.

First floor

  • both floors have ground-level access
  • the main entrance is reachable by resin-bonded path up a steep incline and the entrance itself has two shallow steps
  • our central foyer shop has stock displayed at an accessible height
  • all rooms on this floor have level wooden floors
  • seating is readily available in all rooms
  • the floor is well-lit with overhead lighting and spotlights
  • our displays are designed to appeal to everyone, and written in Plain English
  • staff are available to answer any questions you may have

Ground floor

  • our ground floor rooms have level flagstone flooring
  • there is ample space to turn a large wheelchair
  • a door leads to and from the disabled car park at the rear of the building staff can bring down items from the first floor on request

Public toilets

  • public toilets are located on the ground floor exterior of the building
  • there is a unisex accessible toilet, locked with a RADAR key
  • there are vertical rails either side of the toilet and a horizontal rail on the side wall adjacent
  • the sink has a lever tap
  • the flooring throughout is non-slip

Parking

Disabled-only parking is available immediately outside the Temple, via an access road from Warren Road. These bays are directly adjacent to the Temple Enclosure's resin-bonded path, but the bays themselves are grass and loose gravel.

Events

Entrance to The Temple is free on select open days, tours are available for a fee.

Sensory days and events are listed in the Epping Forest events page. British Sign Language interpretation is provided for selected events listed in the diary, or if booked in advance (the latter may be subject to a fee).