Yesterday saw the Grand Opening of The Royal Forest in Epping with a very special Royal visitor officially opening the pub alongside invited guests. 

Our fifth pub with rooms, The Royal Forest opening marks what has been a very special year for Heartwood. Starting the year with no rooms, we now have five pubs with rooms and more than 175 bedrooms. In that time we have also opened The Quill & Scholar in Lichfield and The Rising Sun in Reading with more than 40 Brasserie Blanc and Heartwood Inns across England.

The opening of The Royal Forest saw our favourite reenactors from Lewes make a welcome return this time in the guise of Queen Victoria and her attendants to recreate the Queen’s visit to Epping Forest in 1882. At this time the pub changed its name from The Forest Hotel to The Royal Forest to mark the occasion and the dedication of the Forest to the public. 

The day saw guests enjoy a penny farthing spectacle in the car park, calligraphy of a bespoke copy of the history of the pub written by Chingford Historical Society, Victorian carols and a tasting from East London Brewery. 

The doors officially opened to guests at 1pm in an official ribbon cutting ceremony and they got off to a flying start with guests eagerly awaiting the chance to look round the beautiful refurbishment and treat themselves to a glass of something refreshing behind the bar and many booked to dine in the restaurant.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in the restoration and opening of this gorgeous pub with 28 boutique bedrooms and a very warm welcome to the General Manager Rob and his team who look forward to welcoming you!