Queen Elizabeth I (Queen Bess) sheltered under this tree on a visit to Midhurst in 1591 on the Cowdray Estate at Easebourne, north of Midhurst. The major trees in this area have remained virtually untouched since 1532 when the first 600 acres of Cowdray Park were impaled.
It is estimated that its age is from 800 to 1000 years old. With a girth of 41 feet it has over time been hollowed out and can accomodate several people.

There is also a Giant Sweet Chesnut with a girth of 38 feet just to the north of this, plus many other ancient trees. Although there is a footpath close by very few people walk it, in fact very few know it exists.

Jeroen Philippona, a frequent visitor, and donator to gravelroots, from The Netherlands to this area says:-
A really ancient veteran is the Queen Elizabeth Oak, a very hollow pollard Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), in Cowdray Park, near Midhurst. It is the biggest of about ten old pollard Sessile Oaks in the park. With a girth of 12,53 m (41 feet), (12,8 m / 42 feet @ 1,3m), it is among the 5 biggest oaks even of Britain, probably as well among the oldest. It is thought it could be over 800 years old. It got is name while it is said that Queen Elizabeth I visited the tree in 1591.
This oak is designated in june 2002 as one of fifty Great British Trees in celebration of the golden jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II because of its place in the national heritage.
The tree can be found in a field east of Oaters Wood: walk to the north from the lay-by at the Benbow Pond along the A272 2 km east of Easebourne and climb the fence. The tree is just north of a lily-pond there.

Left is another photo of the Queen Elizabeth Oak from Jeroen Pater, again visiting from the Netherlands.         Close by off the A272 on the Moor farm road is a further ancient tree, a giant Sweet Chestnut. courtesy of Jeroen Pater click image for larger photo see his website below for more photos. Monumental Trees