Forty Hall

Green Flag Winner 2008

Forty Hall Estate & Gardens

History
Records for the Forty Hall Estate date back to the medieval period, when a portion of land adjacent to Turkey Brook, became the site of Elsyng Palace.

Elsyng Palace was first mentioned in 1381, as part of the lands belonging to Thomas Elsyng. By the early 16th Century Sir Thomas Lovell, the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Henry VIII occupied the Great House of Elsyng. Fifteen years after the death of Sir Thomas at Elsyng in 1524, the Great House became a Royal Palace.

The Royal Palace was used as a base for hunting in Enfield Chase and it was here that Edward VI learned he was to be king following the death of his father, Henry VIII, in 1547. Elizabeth I visited the Palace four times during her reign between 1558-1603, however, following her death the Palace fell into disrepair.

After a brief spell as a bathhouse the former Palace was demolished shortly after it became part of the Forty Hall Estate. The area is now a scheduled ancient monument.

Forty Hall
Forty Hall was built in the grounds of the Elsyng Palace between 1629 and 1632, It was built for Sir Nicholas Rainton who was an Alderman of the City of London, a member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers' who became Lord Mayor of London in 1632. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London for five days by Charles I following a dispute over his refusal to supply a list of citizens able to loan money to the King.

Following the death of Sir Nicholas, Forty Hall passed to his nephew, who had the remains of the Royal Palace demolished, the grounds landscaped and an avenue of lime trees planted.

Forty Hall changed hands many times, including by auction in 1787 when the Hall and 159 acres of land were sold for £8,800.The former Enfield Urban District Council purchased the Estate from the Parker-Bowles family in 1951 and opened the grounds to the public.

Forty Hall together with many of the adjacent farm buildings is on the Statutory List of Buildings of Architectural and Historic Interest.

Forty Hall Today
The Grade I listed Jacobean Hall built in 1629 is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday from 11am till 4pm.The hall contains fine period rooms with richly moulded plaster ceilings, local history displays about Enfield and art and photography exhibitions. The Hall organises regular activities throughout the year. For further information on Forty Hall, contact 020 8363 8196/4060. For information on the collections and Enfield Museum Service, contact 020 8379 1468/1469

Forty Hall Estate

Forty Hall Country Park
The London Borough of Enfield, Environment Street Scene and Parks Group looks after the Forty Hall grounds, of 153 acres. The woodlands are managed to encourage growth of native tree species and ancient methods of woodland management have been reintroduced, these include coppicing, where the trees are cut back to ground level and then allowed to re-grow for 10 years, before cutting back again. Such methods increase both the life span of the trees and also the variety of plants and wildlife in the park.

The grounds surrounding Forty Hall are mostly informal in character, with shrubs, rose and herbaceous borders, lawns and a large ornamental lake, originally built in the 18th century, near to the Hall.

There is an original walled garden, formerly a kitchen garden, which provides a peaceful area to appreciate the many shrub and rose beds. Just east of Forty Hall stands one of the oldest Cedar of Lebanon trees in England, planted at the turn of the 18th Century. On the south wall is a magnificent Magnolia, climbing to the roof of Forty Hall. The Hall has been commended many times in the Enfield in Bloom competitions.

Forty Hall Walled Garden

The remainder of the Estate includes parkland, woodland, a fishing lake and a working farm – the buildings of which are being restored by Capel Manor. Forty Hall Country Park is linked by a series of footpaths to Whitewebbs and Hilly Fields Country Parks and also includes a local heritage trail that runs along the course of the New River. The majority of the estate is open to the public, with the exception of the farmland.

Events
Forty Hall is home to a number of park events including annual cross-country races, the Mayors Charity Fun Run and performances in the park.

The Cultural Services Team organise a variety of activities including costume tours, an Elizabethan Day and a number of exhibitions featuring local artists. For further information please contact the Cultural Services Team 020 8363 8196.

Jacobean Pageant at Forty Hall

For a list of upcoming events please view Events at Forty Hall.

Feel free to view some of the Previous Events held at Forty Hall.

Banqueting Suite
Forty Hall Banqueting Suite is an ideal venue for weddings, conferences and other functions, with dedicated parking available. For further information please call 020 8363 4774.

Forty Hall Banqueting Suite

Fishing
Fishing is available during the open season, on the Woodlands Lake. For further information please contact the Enfield Anglers Council 020 8351 6717.

Facilities
Forty Hall is a 273-acre estate forming part of London's Green Belt and is in a designated conservation area. There are large open spaces for jogging, dog walking and other casual recreation.

Dog walkers are reminded that the Council operates a voluntary You & Your Dog scheme and provides special red bins. Your cooperation with this scheme is greatly appreciated and helps to keep our parks clean and safe for all to use. You can pick up and dispose of dog poo by using a Pick Up Bag or by saving and using an old plastic shopping bag for this purpose, but remember to always wash your hands afterwards.

To encourage responsible dog ownership, the Parks Service has a supply of Bags, which are available free of charge. We have also installed a dog bag dispenser at Hilly Fields, which if successful, could be extended to other parks.

Forty Hall Map - (3mb PDF)

Cafeteria
The Courtyard Cafeteria at Forty Hall is at the rear of the Hall, near to the Walled Garden and serves a variety of refreshments. The café is open from 10:30am all year round and serves a variety of snacks, ice creams and refreshments. However, if you prefer to bring a picnic, there are picnic tables provided on the grassed area, close to the main car park. The toilets are located near the front of the Hall and include facilities for people with disabilities.

Walking for Health
The Parks Outreach Team in partnership with Age Concern currently undertakes walks around Forty Hall as part of the Walk in the Park and Get Walking, Get Talking programme. These walks take place on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

If you are interested, please contact the Parks Outreach Team on 020 8379 1000.

Friends of Forty Hall
Forty Hall has an active Friends of Park Group that meet regularly to discus issues relevant to the park and its future development. Anyone with an interest in the park can attend.

For further information please contact the Parks Outreach Team on 020 8379 1000.

Opening & Closing Times
The park is open every day of the year from 8:00am Monday to Saturday and 8:30am on Sundays. Closing times vary according to the seasons.

For further information please view the Park Opening & Closing Timetable - (20Kb PDF)

Location
Forty Hall
Forty Hill
Enfield
London
EN2 9EU
Map

Transport Links
Forty Hall Estate is located in Forty Hill, to the north of Enfield. It is within easy reach of Junction 25 of the M25 (via the Great Cambridge Road) and can be reached by buses W10 and 191. The nearest train stations are Enfield Town, Crews Hill, Turkey Street and Gordon Hill, main line Stations (all within 25 minutes walk). Pedestrian access to Forty Hall is via the main entrance in Forty Hill, the `kissing gate' situated just south of the main entrance (opposite Goat Lane), or at Maidens Bridge. Other access points are from the countryside footpath network. If traveling by car, use the main entrance and park in the free car park, just inside the main gate. Disabled users are able to park in the designated parking bays, which are situated nearer to the Hall.

For journey times use the TFL Journey Planner.

Useful Information
Forty Hall Management Plan - (3.1mb PDF)
Forty Hall and Estate Heritage Lottery Bid
Forty Hall Leaflet - 1mb PDF)
Forty Hall Map - (3mb PDF)
Green Flag Award

Useful Links
Forty Hall Banqueting Suite
Welcome to Forty Hall

Contact Us

Address:
Parks Business Unit
PO Box 52
Civic Centre
Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3XD
Map

Email:
parksbusinessunit@enfield.gov.uk

Telephone:
020 8379 1000

Fax:
020 8379 3785

This document was last updated on 2008-07-18 11:54:04 published by the Parks team. Document Reference:LBE_132661

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Directory: Home About Enfield Enfield events calendar Advice and benefits Business Community and living Council and democracy Education and learning Environment and planning Health and social care Housing Jobs and careers Leisure and culture Transport and streets Emergencies Contact us: Ask us a question Civic Centre Silver Street Enfield EN1 3XY Telephone: 020 8379 1000 Fax: 020 8379 4453 Textphone: 020 8379 4419 Note: Calls may be recorded. How to find us	A to Z of Services: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z .Translation. Forty Hall Green Flag Winner 2008 History Records for the Forty Hall Estate date back to the medieval period, when a portion of land adjacent to Turkey Brook, became the site of Elsyng Palace. Elsyng Palace was first mentioned in 1381, as part of the lands belonging to Thomas Elsyng. By the early 16th Century Sir Thomas Lovell, the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Henry VIII occupied the Great House of Elsyng. Fifteen years after the death of Sir Thomas at Elsyng in 1524, the Great House became a Royal Palace. The Royal Palace was used as a base for hunting in Enfield Chase and it was here that Edward VI learned he was to be king following the death of his father, Henry VIII, in 1547. Elizabeth I visited the Palace four times during her reign between 1558-1603, however, following her death the Palace fell into disrepair. After a brief spell as a bathhouse the former Palace was demolished shortly after it became part of the Forty Hall Estate. The area is now a scheduled ancient monument. Forty Hall Forty Hall was built in the grounds of the Elsyng Palace between 1629 and 1632, It was built for Sir Nicholas Rainton who was an Alderman of the City of London, a member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers' who became Lord Mayor of London in 1632. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London for five days by Charles I following a dispute over his refusal to supply a list of citizens able to loan money to the King. Following the death of Sir Nicholas, Forty Hall passed to his nephew, who had the remains of the Royal Palace demolished, the grounds landscaped and an avenue of lime trees planted. Forty Hall changed hands many times, including by auction in 1787 when the Hall and 159 acres of land were sold for £8,800.The former Enfield Urban District Council purchased the Estate from the Parker-Bowles family in 1951 and opened the grounds to the public. Forty Hall together with many of the adjacent farm buildings is on the Statutory List of Buildings of Architectural and Historic Interest. Forty Hall Today The Grade I listed Jacobean Hall built in 1629 is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday from 11am till 4pm.The hall contains fine period rooms with richly moulded plaster ceilings, local history displays about Enfield and art and photography exhibitions. The Hall organises regular activities throughout the year. For further information on Forty Hall, contact 020 8363 8196/4060. For information on the collections and Enfield Museum Service, contact 020 8379 1468/1469 Forty Hall Country Park The London Borough of Enfield, Environment Street Scene and Parks Group looks after the Forty Hall grounds, of 153 acres. The woodlands are managed to encourage growth of native tree species and ancient methods of woodland management have been reintroduced, these include coppicing, where the trees are cut back to ground level and then allowed to re-grow for 10 years, before cutting back again. Such methods increase both the life span of the trees and also the variety of plants and wildlife in the park. The grounds surrounding Forty Hall are mostly informal in character, with shrubs, rose and herbaceous borders, lawns and a large ornamental lake, originally built in the 18th century, near to the Hall. There is an original walled garden, formerly a kitchen garden, which provides a peaceful area to appreciate the many shrub and rose beds. Just east of Forty Hall stands one of the oldest Cedar of Lebanon trees in England, planted at the turn of the 18th Century. On the south wall is a magnificent Magnolia, climbing to the roof of Forty Hall. The Hall has been commended many times in the Enfield in Bloom competitions. The remainder of the Estate includes parkland, woodland, a fishing lake and a working farm – the buildings of which are being restored by Capel Manor. Forty Hall Country Park is linked by a series of footpaths to Whitewebbs and Hilly Fields Country Parks and also includes a local heritage trail that runs along the course of the New River. The majority of the estate is open to the public, with the exception of the farmland. Events Forty Hall is home to a number of park events including annual cross-country races, the Mayors Charity Fun Run and performances in the park. The Cultural Services Team organise a variety of activities including costume tours, an Elizabethan Day and a number of exhibitions featuring local artists. For further information please contact the Cultural Services Team 020 8363 8196. For a list of upcoming events please view Events at Forty Hall. Feel free to view some of the Previous Events held at Forty Hall. Banqueting Suite Forty Hall Banqueting Suite is an ideal venue for weddings, conferences and other functions, with dedicated parking available. For further information please call 020 8363 4774. Fishing Fishing is available during the open season, on the Woodlands Lake. For further information please contact the Enfield Anglers Council 020 8351 6717. Facilities Forty Hall is a 273-acre estate forming part of London's Green Belt and is in a designated conservation area. There are large open spaces for jogging, dog walking and other casual recreation. Dog walkers are reminded that the Council operates a voluntary You & Your Dog scheme and provides special red bins. Your cooperation with this scheme is greatly appreciated and helps to keep our parks clean and safe for all to use. You can pick up and dispose of dog poo by using a Pick Up Bag or by saving and using an old plastic shopping bag for this purpose, but remember to always wash your hands afterwards. To encourage responsible dog ownership, the Parks Service has a supply of Bags, which are available free of charge. We have also installed a dog bag dispenser at Hilly Fields, which if successful, could be extended to other parks. Forty Hall Map - (3mb PDF) Cafeteria The Courtyard Cafeteria at Forty Hall is at the rear of the Hall, near to the Walled Garden and serves a variety of refreshments. The café is open from 10:30am all year round and serves a variety of snacks, ice creams and refreshments. However, if you prefer to bring a picnic, there are picnic tables provided on the grassed area, close to the main car park. The toilets are located near the front of the Hall and include facilities for people with disabilities. Walking for Health The Parks Outreach Team in partnership with Age Concern currently undertakes walks around Forty Hall as part of the Walk in the Park and Get Walking, Get Talking programme. These walks take place on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. If you are interested, please contact the Parks Outreach Team on 020 8379 1000. Friends of Forty Hall Forty Hall has an active Friends of Park Group that meet regularly to discus issues relevant to the park and its future development. Anyone with an interest in the park can attend. For further information please contact the Parks Outreach Team on 020 8379 1000. Opening & Closing Times The park is open every day of the year from 8:00am Monday to Saturday and 8:30am on Sundays. Closing times vary according to the seasons. For further information please view the Park Opening & Closing Timetable - (20Kb PDF) Location Forty Hall Forty Hill Enfield London EN2 9EU Map Transport Links Forty Hall Estate is located in Forty Hill, to the north of Enfield. It is within easy reach of Junction 25 of the M25 (via the Great Cambridge Road) and can be reached by buses W10 and 191. The nearest train stations are Enfield Town, Crews Hill, Turkey Street and Gordon Hill, main line Stations (all within 25 minutes walk). Pedestrian access to Forty Hall is via the main entrance in Forty Hill, the `kissing gate' situated just south of the main entrance (opposite Goat Lane), or at Maidens Bridge. Other access points are from the countryside footpath network. If traveling by car, use the main entrance and park in the free car park, just inside the main gate. Disabled users are able to park in the designated parking bays, which are situated nearer to the Hall. For journey times use the TFL Journey Planner. Useful Information Forty Hall Management Plan - (3.1mb PDF) Forty Hall and Estate Heritage Lottery Bid Forty Hall Leaflet - 1mb PDF) Forty Hall Map - (3mb PDF) Green Flag Award Useful Links Forty Hall Banqueting Suite Welcome to Forty Hall Contact Us Address: Parks Business Unit PO Box 52 Civic Centre Silver Street Enfield EN1 3XD Map Email: parksbusinessunit@enfield.gov.uk Telephone: 020 8379 1000 Fax: 020 8379 3785 This document was last updated on 2008-07-18 11:54:04 published by the Parks team. Document Reference:LBE_132661
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