Project: Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge Complex

Interpretation Centre: Extension, refurbishment and modernisation works to the stables and coach house to provide a new visitors/interpretation centre.

Butler’s Retreat: Refurbishment and modernisation works to Butler’s Retreat to create a new restaurant facility together with associated external works.

The stables, coach house and Butler’s Retreat are all Grade II listed and the Client has received funding from both the Heritage Lottery Fund and Essex County Council towards the project. We are utilising oak from Epping Forest and reusing as many materials as possible. For example, we have taken up the original setts used to pave the stables driveway; these will be cleaned and re-laid once the main works are complete. Also, we are installing a rainwater harvesting system to service the Interpretation Centre toilets.

The restoration is part of the Branching Out project, a five year programme of improvement works to the QEHL complex and Epping Forest which, it is hoped, will increase visitor numbers and enhance their understanding of this important historical site.

Excellent community liaison and safety measures are essential to the success of this project as the stables adjoin the Royal Forest public house and the Hunting Lodge is a popular educational centre for local school children, attracting some 35,000 visitors a year.