Queen Elizabeth Oak, Ancient oak tree in Cowdray Park, England
Queen Elizabeth Oak is a sessile oak growing in Cowdray Park, near the village of Lodsworth in West Sussex, England. Its trunk is about 13 meters around, and it stands on land that falls within the South Downs National Park.
The oak most likely began growing sometime between the 11th and 13th centuries, long before Cowdray Park took its current form. A royal visit in 1591 gave the tree its name, linking it permanently to the Tudor period.
The oak takes its name from Queen Elizabeth I, who visited the area during a hunting party in the late 16th century. Visitors can stand beneath its wide canopy and look up through the old branches, getting a real sense of how long this tree has been part of the landscape.
The tree is reached on foot through Cowdray Park, which is open land, so there is no need to pass through a gate or entrance point. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the ground can be uneven and wet depending on the season.
Although the tree is named after Queen Elizabeth I, there is no firm historical record proving she ever sat beneath it or touched it directly. The name most likely grew from the general excitement around royal visits to the area rather than from a documented event at the tree itself.
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