Our History

The Kings Lodge is a building steeped in rich royal history and intrigue.

We can begin tracing its history back to medieval England when in 1276 Edward I built a royal palace at nearby Kings Langley. To south of the estate there was a woodland valley, rich with wild boar, pheasants and deer, which Edward wand his court used as a hunting park. A small hamlet developed on its outskirts, which according to historical documents was called Hunton Muelle, meaning town of hunters. Today is better known of Hunton Bridge. 

The local area's royal association continued through the centuries and in 1575 the manor of Abbots Langley, called Langleybury, was sold to Virgin Queen herself, Elizabeth I. The estate of Langleybury remained in possession of the crown until 1610, when James I granted it to Henry, Prince of Wales. It was later entrusted to Francis Bacon for the use of the prince who would become Charles I. Around this time a hunting lodge was built in the estate's grounds for Charles I which was this building. Charles I was executed in 1649.

Architecturally, the building structure has late 15th century origins, however, it is believed to have been rebuilt in the mid 1600's to its current form. This would make sense given the date of 1642 on the exterior of the building and the Royal Crest and Fleur-de-Lis above the fireplace, with the letters CR - Charles I. The theme of the crest and Fleur-de-Lis is continued in the original wooden beams.

When Charles' son, Charles II, returned to England when monarchy was restored in 1660, Charles II took up his father's love of hunting and visited the Lodge. Underneath this building are the remains of a maze of passages leading down towards the river. It has said that one of these passages led to a nearby house which was occupied by Nell Gwynn, Charles II's lover. 

The building was converted into two cottages some years later, before being restored back to a single building. In recent years the building has been known as Lawn House, the 'Old Place' and the Kings Lodge.