History

Cedars Park is the former site of Theobalds Palace, the favourite residence of James I.

Theobalds originated as a smaller estate in the 14th century, but was expanded by Sir William Cecil for Elizabeth I, who stayed there around 15 times.

The house was later acquired by James I, who turned it into a grand palace with a 2500-acre deer park. For much of the Jacobean period, England was run right from these grounds, as the country was an absolute monarchy.

Theobalds Palace was largely demolished during the English Civil War, and the grounds were donated to the public in 1919 as a public park.