Some say that the pub was named in honour of King Henry VIII. It is believed that on 19th May 1536 the day of Anne Boleyn’s beheading the King went to Epping Forest to hunt. Legend has it the King took breakfast under an Oak Tree in the Forest and as he sat under the Oak Tree he heard the Cannons firing from London signalling that Anne Boleyn’s head had fallen.
It was at High Beech, in 1882, that Queen Victoria declared Epping Forest open to the public. The clearings on high ground near the King's Oak hotel are still the favourite resort of visitors to the forest.
The present hotel building dates from 1887, but there was an inn of the same name on the site in the 18th century. The hotel was built when it was planned to extend the railway to High Beach. In fact the nearest stop was Chingford. High Beach was a major attraction for Londoners who would arrive in hordes at weekends and on bank holidays.
Cyclists and motorcyclists have traditionally used High Beach as a meeting place and the King's Oak is a favourite venue for club reunions. The first speedway race took place behind the building in 1928.
All photography by Fatih Erdem, Site designed by Cheri Design Ltd. Registered toThe King Oak Hotel, London, Surrey, N16 XEA
Registered in England. Company No. 06142033