epping forest hotel
If you go down to the woods today.....
By Mike Pickup, Mike writes about travel for numerous newspapers and magazines, both consumer and trade, and has over a hundred features published each year. He is also the Editor of Holiday Magazine and a professionally trained photographer. For more information click here
Just a few hundred yards from the busy and sometimes hectic North Circular Road, the inner ring road around London, and a mile from South Woodford tube station, lies the Epping Forest Hotel, a haven of peace and quiet yet close to the major road networks and rail links for London’s West End and City Airport.
Covering over 6,000 acres and home to many ancient trees, Epping Forest is the largest outdoor public area in Greater London. Its attractions include Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, commissioned by Henry VIII in 1543 as a base from which he could watch or participate in a spot of deer hunting.
Less than three miles from the hotel is the William Morris Gallery, a Grade II listed house in which he lived as a boy. It contains 600 items including his first wallpaper design and other designs, fabrics, carpets and stained glass.
Covering over 6,000 acres and home to many ancient trees, Epping Forest is the largest outdoor public area in Greater London. Its attractions include Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, commissioned by Henry VIII in 1543 as a base from which he could watch or participate in a spot of deer hunting.
Less than three miles from the hotel is the William Morris Gallery, a Grade II listed house in which he lived as a boy. It contains 600 items including his first wallpaper design and other designs, fabrics, carpets and stained glass.
The hotel building itself is not a great architectural achievement, more practical than esoteric, but woodland creatures on the corridor walls and a large mural in reception lighten the mood and provide appropriate links to the surrounding area.
A friendly receptionist quickly checked us in and our room was spacious with all the usual facilities including free wifi. We made ourselves a cup of tea then headed out to explore the surroundings. We didn’t get that far as, it being rush hour, within a couple of minutes we found ourselves in heavy traffic. However this acted as a reminder of just how a few hundred yards makes all the difference between rush-hour chaos and the peaceful location of the hotel.
A friendly receptionist quickly checked us in and our room was spacious with all the usual facilities including free wifi. We made ourselves a cup of tea then headed out to explore the surroundings. We didn’t get that far as, it being rush hour, within a couple of minutes we found ourselves in heavy traffic. However this acted as a reminder of just how a few hundred yards makes all the difference between rush-hour chaos and the peaceful location of the hotel.
Later we headed to the bar for a pre-dinner drink. Many hotel bars can be a little impersonal, full of people who don’t know each other and don’t converse. However, this hotel bar also acts as a meeting point for nearby residents, their presence making the bar feel more like a friendly local pub than an impersonal hotel bar.
The restaurant area adjoins the bar and you can, if you prefer, eat in the bar. The menu offers a good choice of Pub Grub although we were told on more than one occasion that if there was anything else we wanted we should ask.
The restaurant area adjoins the bar and you can, if you prefer, eat in the bar. The menu offers a good choice of Pub Grub although we were told on more than one occasion that if there was anything else we wanted we should ask.
Starters include items such as Goat’s Cheese Bruschetta, Chicken Caesar Salad and Prawn Filo Twisters. For mains there is a choice of chicken, lamb, salmon, and steak as well as pizza, beef stew, mussels, burgers and gourmet sandwiches.
Portions were on the large side so you may not make it to desserts but if you do then items such as apple crumble, chocolate pot and Eton Mess are all available.
Service was pleasant and efficient, and throughout our stay the courtesy and helpfulness of the staff was something we particularly noticed.
And so to bed, but we had exhausted the contents of our hospitality tray so we stopped by reception, with its interesting wall panels, to see if we could re-stock. A large basket of tea, coffee, milk and other items was immediately produced from under the counter and we helped ourselves to the items we needed.
Portions were on the large side so you may not make it to desserts but if you do then items such as apple crumble, chocolate pot and Eton Mess are all available.
Service was pleasant and efficient, and throughout our stay the courtesy and helpfulness of the staff was something we particularly noticed.
And so to bed, but we had exhausted the contents of our hospitality tray so we stopped by reception, with its interesting wall panels, to see if we could re-stock. A large basket of tea, coffee, milk and other items was immediately produced from under the counter and we helped ourselves to the items we needed.
The bed was large and comfortable and the pillows just the right balance between fluffy and supportive. We slept soundly.
Breakfast was the usual buffet style and there was a good choice, although again we were invited to ask for anything we did not see.
We checked messages using the efficient wifi service then packed our case and said good-bye to yet another cheerful and pleasant member of staff.
The hotel is not glossy or pretentious, but it delivers all that you would want with courtesy and a smile. Its location is ideal for exploring London, the beds are comfortable, the service efficient and the staff were amongst the friendliest we have encountered. Another thing you can rely on - you won't go hungry!
For more information, visit http://www.eppingforesthotel.co.uk or call 020 8787 9988
Breakfast was the usual buffet style and there was a good choice, although again we were invited to ask for anything we did not see.
We checked messages using the efficient wifi service then packed our case and said good-bye to yet another cheerful and pleasant member of staff.
The hotel is not glossy or pretentious, but it delivers all that you would want with courtesy and a smile. Its location is ideal for exploring London, the beds are comfortable, the service efficient and the staff were amongst the friendliest we have encountered. Another thing you can rely on - you won't go hungry!
For more information, visit http://www.eppingforesthotel.co.uk or call 020 8787 9988
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Images copyright of the writer and the hotel
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