Riggs Retreat

Foxburrow Farm

Riggs Retreats were a network of non-alcoholic refreshment halls founded by John Riggs which operated during Victorian and Edwardian times. They were mainly situated in and around Epping Forest, including locations such as High Beech, Abridge, and Theydon Bois. They were popular meeting places for residents of East London, church groups, and charitable events. Mrs. Riggs sometimes helped organise events for the army and other organisations. This picture shows an event catering for the Boys Brigade at Foxburrow Farm on the Whitsun bank holiday. The Boys' Brigade and similar groups from all over London visited Hainault Forest in their thousands during the early 1900s. Swingboats, coconut shies and merry-go-rounds were popular attractions. During 1916, London County Council gave permission for an Easter Camp to set up at Foxburrows Farm under the command of an army officer. The large barn became the 1886 Café which opened in April 2023 following a major heritage restoration project of Hainault Forest. Chimneys belonging to Foxburrow Cottages can be seen behind the Big Top.