Your guide to living in Walthamstow
Walthamstow provides an escape from bustling east London. The area swaps vintage markets for gorgeous green parks, and crowded pubs for spacious warehouse breweries - but still manages to attract a crowd of young and creative professionals. The choice of independent shops and cafes won’t make you miss seeing a Starbucks on every street corner, but the excellent transport links make it easy to commute into central areas when needed.
Where is it?
If you ever fall asleep on the Victoria line, you'll probably wake up in Walthamstow. Located in South East London, it’s the closest thing to taking a day trip away from London without having to sacrifice the convenience of the tube.
What's the transport like?
Walthamstow Central has connections to the overground, British Rail and tube. While it may be the last stop on the Victoria line, it’s actually London’s speediest line - taking you to Brixton (the other end) in just 35 mins. You can also find the bus station conveniently located outside.
Where do the locals go?
Parks:
It’s impossible to talk about Walthamstow without mentioning the Wetlands. People travel from the city centre to admire the thirteen miles of paths and picturesque reservoirs in Europe’s largest urban wetland. It's home to a legion of wildlife, including kingfishers, peregrine falcons and herons, making it the ideal day out for keen fishermen or bird watchers.
Lloyd Park contains a children’s play area, skate park, and outdoor tennis and basketball courts. Bring along a paddle and ball to make use of their table tennis tables too! If you’re not into sports, admire the William Morris Garden and enjoy a picnic on the green instead.
Events and activities:
God’s Own Junkyard is a neon-light paradise. The owner, Chris Bracey, got his start by making signs for Soho’s strip clubs and brothels but now displays his eclectic collection in an unsuspecting corner of an industrial estate. Stage an Instagram-worthy photo shoot or grab a bite to eat at their on-site cafe and bar, The Rolling Scones.
Metres away from St James Street overground find Crate, a community hub for creative businesses, (think Box Park with a little more heart). If you want to attend a quiz hosted by a drag queen, a morning yoga class, or crave Korean food and a haircut - you can find it all here.
Be sure to visit the William Morris Gallery if you find yourself in Lloyd Park. Explore William Morris’s Georgian-built family house and learn about his life and work as an arts and crafts designer and early socialist. If museums are your bag, check out Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum. It focuses on the pioneering breakthroughs in road, rail, air and sea transport that occurred in Waltham Forest and the surrounding area. The main attraction is a decommissioned London Underground 1967 Stock Victoria line carriage that is frequently used as a location for filming.
The best restaurants:
Stroll through Walthamstow Village and it won’t be difficult to find a decent place to eat (it’s just hard to decide which one!). Try Orford Road Tapas or The Kitchen for bistro-style European food, and go to Eat17 to walk away with a jar of their award-winning bacon jam!
Kusbasili pide (Turkish Pizza with diced lamb and peppers), at Gokyuzu is a must-try. Their dough is prepared and baked every 2-3 hours, making the restaurant renowned for its delicious savoury bread. If you’re in the mood for pizza, visit Sodo for a sourdough spin on a traditional pizza base, or Yard Sale to make the most of their seasonal toppings.
The best pubs:
Gin lovers shouldn't skip a visit to Mother’s Ruin gin distillery inside a former WW1 munitions factory. They offer a selection of over seventy gins, made using ingredients from local orchards or foraged from around Walthamstow. Stop by on the weekend to see the place transform into a cosy cocktail bar for the perfect date spot!
If beer is more your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice at the range of breweries in Walthamstow. Pick your seat in the unique setting of a furniture warehouse at Exhale Taproom and participate in their weekly ‘Kill the Keg’ happy hours, where selected pints are only £4. Equally, Wild Card Brewery and Signature Brew are worthy contenders to spend an evening sipping on locally brewed beer.
The Queen’s Arms or The Village Pub will satisfy your need for a reliable go-to pub. Head to The Nag’s Head on a sunny day to make use of their large fairy-lit beer garden, and stay late to have a boogie at one of their live jazz music and DJ nights.
The best coffee shops:
After a wander through Walthamstow Village, stop by The Village Bakery for a slice of freshly baked cake and a brew. Although the cafe is small, the outdoor seating is perfect in summer and is a great spot for people-watching.
Froth and Rind specialise in continental cheese and meats, so why not try an incredible cheese toastie alongside your locally roasted latte? Incoming Coffee and Long&Short are also good options for satisfying a caffeine craving. While you’re there, why not grab a bag of their speciality beans to take home?
Shops:
Walthamstow Village is a pedestrianised street packed with independent shops, craft stores and places to eat and drink. Pop into Word for an eco-conscious gift, or The Every Space to shop homeware from local designers and small businesses. They also have a plant shop next door (if you need an excuse to get another potted pal).
Take yourself for a walk and browse some of the five hundred stalls of food, clothes and homeware that line the High Street at Walthamstow Market - the longest of its kind in Europe. If the weather isn’t on your side, take shelter in Wood Street Indoor Market, formally The Crown Cinema until 1955. It has since been converted and now contains over 30 unique shops including antiques, books, vintage clothes and toys.
What's it famous for?
Walthamstow is the birthplace of many celebrities including Lethal Bizzle, Harry Kane and Alfred Hitchcock, to name a few. Famously, the 90s boy band East17 was formed in Walthamstow - they even named themselves after the area’s postcode (E17 - get it?). Blur’s best-known album Parklife also features photos of the band at Walthamstow Stadium.
Want to know the average room rent for Walthamstow, and other London postcodes? Check out our latest guide here!