Royal Connections: The Legacy

The story begins in 1276, when King Edward I built a royal palace at nearby Kings Langley. To the south lay a woodland valley—rich with wild boar and deer—which the King and his court used as a private hunting park. A small hamlet emerged on the outskirts known as Hunton Muelle, or "Town of Hunters," known today as Hunton Bridge.

The royal association continued through the centuries. In 1575, the neighboring Langleybury estate was sold to the "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I. By 1610, the Crown granted the land to the Prince of Wales, later to become King Charles I.

It was during this era that our building was constructed as a royal hunting lodge. While the structure has origins dating back to the late 15th century, it was rebuilt in the mid-1600s to the form you see today. This history is carved into the very stone and timber of the building:

• 1642: The date proudly displayed on the building’s exterior.
• The Royal Crest: Above our fireplace, you can still see the original Fleur-de-Lis and the letters ‘CR’ (Carolus Rex), signifying King Charles I.
• Original Beams: Look closely at the ancient wooden beams to see the Fleur-de-Lis motif continued throughout the interior.

Following the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, King Charles II followed in his father’s footsteps, frequently visiting the Lodge to hunt. Local legend tells of a maze of secret passages hidden beneath the building leading toward the river. One such passage is said to have connected the Lodge to a nearby house occupied by Nell Gwynn, the King’s famous lover.

Through the centuries, the building has been known as Lawn House and The Old Place, at one point even being converted into two separate cottages. Today, it has been meticulously restored as The Kings Lodge, allowing our guests to dine and sleep within the same walls that once hosted the Kings of England.