Forty Hall House and Gardens
Forty Hall in Enfield is a Grade 1 Listed building in a beautiful landscaped garden which was built between 1629 and 1632 by Sir Nicholas Rainton, a former Lord Mayor of London. It is one of England's finest historic houses with exquisite architecture and stunning views, and very popular with visitors. The Forty Hall estate and grounds have a old walled garden, lakes, lawns and meadows which are ideal for family picnics, walking and recreation. Although many alterations and changes have been made to Forty Hall by previous occupants many architectural features from the 17th, 18th and 19th-century still remain. The Estate also contains the remains of Elsyng Palace (known then as Little Park) which was a hunting lodge used by Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I. This site is now considered to be an Scheduled Ancient Monument and has recently been excavated.
Forty Hall has a permanent exhibition which tells the story of life in the house and estate throughout the ages as well as the achievements, life and times of Sir Nicholas Rainton. A visit to this free exhibition is a fascinating way to learn about life during the 17th-century and to learn about the heritage and history of this great house. A free information leaflet is avaiable from the gift shop to help you get the best out of your visit, and the Courtyard cafe, with seating available outside in the summer months, is the perfect place to enjoy refreshments.
The Forty Hall estate is approximately 260 acres in size and is traditionally part of the Green Belt that surrounds London. The beautiful ancient royal parkland, woodland and meadows are all well-kept and open to all visitors. The estate also contains an organic farm run by Capel Manor College for training and educational purposes. It is a mixed farm with a variety of animals and rare breeds. The farm houses London's only vineyard which is run and managed by volunteers. There are currently seven acres of vines in the vineyard.
Entrance to Forty Hall and Estate is FREE to all during normal opening hours but charges do apply for tours and special events. The Hall and gardens are located off Forty Hill, Enfield, Middlesex. Postcode: EN2 9HA.