The Kings Head located on Chigwell High Road was constructed in the 17th century and extended in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The building faces St Mary’s Church.

William Richard Fisher lists the venue as hosting the meetings of the Court of Attachments for the Forest of Waltham, from at least 1713 and possibly as early as 1630. The court dealt with matters arising in the forests in the area and gave verderers the power to fine offenders no more than the sum of £10.

In the 1820s, Mary Draper ran a daily coach service from the pub to Aldgate.

The Grade II* listed former pub was the inspiration for the Maypole Inn in Dickens’ novel Barnaby Rudge.

John Forster describes, in his 1875 book ’The Life of Charles Dickens’, a letter he received from the writer which in turn describes the King’s Head.

Dickens wrote: “Chigwell, my dear fellow, is the greatest place in the world. Name your day for going. Such a delicious old inn opposite the churchyard, such a lovely ride, such beautiful forest scenery, such an out-of-the-way, rural place, such a sexton! I say again, name your day."