motorist who could readily carry his own supplies found it cheaper to
do so, and the trade declined.
There are still several kiosks located in the forest where light
refreshments such as cups of tea or coffee, ice-cream or soft drinks,
packets of crisps or biscuits may still be obtained. Some of the public-
houses have now introduced a welcome service in the provision of
morning coffee but it is now virtually impossible to obtain a casual
meal in forest surroundings except at a public-house or an inn.
Sincere thanks must be expressed to the numerous persons who
have kindly supplied details of the many and varied aspects for this
study and who in many cases have loaned brochures, bills of fare and
especially photographs to assist in making this account as complete
and accurate as possible. There are far too many to mention and
thank individually but especial thanks must be given to Mrs. Dorothy
Fairfax (nee "Billie Riggs") and to the late Douglas H. Gray who
supplied a wealth of detail and much material; Mr. G.C. Berry of The
Thames Water Authority, Metropolitan Water Division who kindly
furnished details about property held by the Board at High Beach;
members of the Butler family assisted with family records, photographs
and other material; Arthur G. Credland, sometime Museum Assistant
at Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Messrs. C. Johnson of
Buckhurst Hill Library, John Hayward and John Howes of Waltham
Forest Central Library have been of invaluable help. To Sir William
Addison, F.S.A., J.P., D.L., who kindly read through the manuscript
I am indebted for much useful advice, encouragement and construc-
tive criticism and for contributing a generous 'Introduction' to this
work. The Superintendent of Epping Forest, Mr. Alfred Qvist has
kindly permitted me to have access to the records and given much
information and useful help. I must also express my sincere thanks to
the Conservators of Epping Forest for providing facilities for the
publication of this work in line with the other booklets which are of the
greatest value to forest lovers.
There are still many questions which remain unanswered and a
great deal more research to be carried out before the complete history
of each Retreat is known in detail. It is, therefore, hoped that this
paper will provide a starting point from which further researches can
be carried out.
Undoubtedly errors will have crept in. It is inevitable that in
recording events connected with these establishments my informants
were often not certain of exact dates "and memories vague of half-
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