The Royal Forest, in Ranger’s Road, has been listed by the national Guardian as one of 30 top pubs in the UK for an autumn escape with great food.
It was the only London watering hole to make the cut, with its location – both a 10-minute walk from Chingford station and a stone’s throw from Epping Forest – earning it a place on the Guardian’s list.
Guests looking to take an autumnal stroll around the forest can later treat themselves to a Sunday roast with bottomless trimmings at the pub, or other seasonal, sustainably-sourced dishes.
The boozer’s rich history also got a mention from the Guardian, including its renaming in 1882 to honour a visit from Queen Victoria.
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The focus of the roundup was new or recently refurbished inns with “cosy rooms, enticing menus and country walks from the door”.
As such, The Royal Forest’s multi-million pound refurbishment in 2024 helped to secure it a spot, with its 28 bedrooms now updated with William Morris-style fabrics.
The revamp also included restoring key historical features, such as a stained-glass window depicting Queen Elizabeth I – a reference to the pub’s location next to the Grade II-listed Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge.
As well as its boutique bedrooms, the inn also now boasts a 90-cover bar, a dining room seating up to 142, and two outdoor terraces for up to 90.
