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Cedars Park

Theobalds Lane, Cheshunt

About Cedars Park

Steeped in history, this magnificent park was once the site of Theobalds Palace and a favoured residence of James I. Queen Elizabeth I also visited Theobalds many times during her reign. The park was given to the Borough in 1919 and today offers a scheduled ancient monument, woodland walks, formal gardens, ponds, pets' corner, an arboretum and a conservation area. In 2002, the Borough of Broxbourne commissioned new entrance gates into Cedars Park from Theobalds Lane to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. The gates contain a timeline of bronze roundels depicting historical events at Cedars Park.

The parks manager lives on site and helps organise the many summer events. There is also a tea room which is open February to November, Tuesdays to Sundays from 10.30am until dusk. The park covers over 19 acres and facilities include car parking, duck pond, pets' corner, picnic tables, toilets, easy access path and an art space. The park is locked at dusk.

Lottery funding granted

Broxbourne Council has successfully applied for a grant from the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery Parks for People programme, to protect, conserve and improve Cedars Park for the borough’s residents. The project includes the following:

Removing the Theobalds Palace Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) from the English Heritage at Risk Register by carrying out significant conservation work within the park
Repairing paths and improve car parking
Uncovering more about important history of the site and explain it in an interesting and accessible way, as well as to better showcase the existing historical features
Involving local schools in using the park for education and learning
Improving the park café and toilets and repair derelict buildings
Providing new community meeting space in the park
Planting over 2,500 new trees
Developing new natural play features for families – bocce, turf maze, willow tunnel
Getting people involved in volunteering at the park
Enhancing the biodiversity of the park
Providing more community events and activities
Improving accessibility around the park for wheelchairs, buggies and less able people
Creating a park to be proud of in the Borough

How to get involved

We need people! We need individuals, groups and businesses to show support for this project by getting involved. You can do this by keeping up to date with developments, telling us what you want from your park, joining our Friends group, volunteering for tasks or attending community events. All ages and abilities are welcome.

The Friends of Cedars Park is a group of regular park users who act as eyes and ears for the park manager, as well as providing support for community events. It is free to join and requires no obligation. Friends receive regular updates on park activity and can attend the bi-annual meetings.