The Queen'S House

The Queen's House is a Grade II* listed building that originally served as a royal hunting lodge and is now the headquarters of the Forestry Commission. It has medieval origins and Tudor elements, with the surviving structure dating from the 17th century, consisting of two builds. The building underwent alterations in the early and mid-19th century and has been restored twice in the 20th century.

Constructed of brick on a rubble plinth, it features an old plain roof and is two stories high with an attic. The main part has five bays, with the end bay set back on one side and a two-bay crosswing set back on the other side, which projects. The road-facing front has a continuous plinth. The central part consists of four gabled bays, with the crosswing on the left-hand side.

The central section includes a six-panel door with a semicircular fanlight, framed by a doorcase with pilasters supporting a broken pediment. To the left of the door is a small double sash window. The other bays and the set-back bay on the right feature large cross-windows. A raised band runs along the first floor, which has similar windows, except for a taller two-light window with a decorated panel dated 1880 to the left of the centre. Raised quoins are present between the left-hand bays at each end and the right-hand bay.

Above the central part, there is a plaster cornice and four small gables with casements on the parapet wall. A stack is located at the left end and between the right-hand bays. The left crosswing is designed in a 20th-century Tudor style. Inside, there is a Verderer's Court room from the 18th century, although it has been significantly restored, while the rest of the building has also undergone extensive restoration.