With its name originating and evolving from the phrase “a place where guests are welcome”, it’s hard to imagine that living in Walthamstow will be anything but fantastic – but if you need a little convincing before making the move, our Walthamstow area guide will give you a great introduction to this lovely East End suburb.
Walthamstow is one of the areas of the East End of London that seems to be developing right before our eyes, which over recent years has led to a shift towards a younger local demographic, with local facilities and amenities evolving to meet the needs of these buyers. It’s also an ideal destination for young families, offering a warm welcome to households who are keen to find a great school and a new property with some garden space. As you’d expect with these changes, there’s a new wave of independent shops, and more interesting and innovative restaurants and bars opening in the area.
Property in Walthamstow is mainly from the Victorian and Edwardian period, along with many Warner purpose-built flats, which have been constructed in the style of traditional terrace houses but with a separate flat on the ground and first floor – and garden space for both. There are also some newer build flats in the town centre and the area around Blackhorse Lane which has been undergoing a period of regeneration.
The birthplace of famous designer and Arts & Craft pioneer William Morris and with previous residents including cricketer Graham Gooch, England footballer Harry Kane and X-Factor star Fleur East, modern-day Walthamstow is well and truly on the up – and if you haven’t considered it as a place to live in a while, it might be time to look again.
So if you’re interested in learning more about living in Walthamstow, this area guide will provide essential insight into what’s available in this beautiful and blossoming part of East London.
Schools in Walthamstow
Even if you don’t have kids of your own and aren’t necessarily planning on having a family, one of the most important factors to consider when buying a property is the local schools in the area – as access to a good education has an effect on the demand for homes, and what kind of price buyers are prepared to pay.
Whether you’re approaching the presence and quality of schools from a personal or investment perspective, you can rest assured that Walthamstow has a range of highly-regarded, in-demand, schools to choose from.
The following lists offer a quick view of schools located within walking distance or a quick commute from the heart of Walthamstow, along with their current Ofsted rating (2020).
Primary schools in Walthamstow
- St Mary’s C of E Primary School– Outstanding
- St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School – Good
- Coppermill Primary School – Good
- Walthamstow Primary Academy – Good
- Mission Grove Primary School – Good
Secondary schools in Walthamstow
- Walthamstow School for Girls – Outstanding
- Eden Girls’ School – Outstanding
- Walthamstow Academy – Good
- Kelmscott Secondary School – Good
- Willowfield School – Good
- Frederick Bremer School – Good
The local area also offers access to some great further education options at Big Creative Academy and nearby Leyton Sixth Form College, plus for parents seeking a private school for their children, Walthamstow Montessori School is well worth looking up, or Forest School just up the road in Snaresbrook.
You can see all the local schools on our map to help you pick the perfect property.
Getting around – transport in Walthamstow
Transport options are another essential consideration when you’re buying a property, and if you’re thinking of living in Walthamstow then you can be sure that this criteria is well covered.
Walthamstow is well situated for direct public transport links and has a range of nearby alternatives to expand your commuter capabilities even further – and remember that being so close to central London means you can work in the capital and easily travel home to your more relaxed suburb when the day is done.
While public transport in the area is regular and reliable, for car owners, Walthamstow also benefits from a number of arterial roads allowing quick access to the M25, M4, M1 and M11 motorways – plus you’re within a half hour drive of both London City and Stanstead airports.
Tube, rail and bus
Walthamstow Central Railway Station is in Zone 3, and is host to stations on both the London Overground and the Underground network – sitting right at the end of the Victoria Line which can make finding a seat for your journey a little easier!
You can find yourself in Oxford Circus in just 20 minutes via the tube and Liverpool Street in just 18 minutes from Walthamstow Central Overground Station.
Within easy reach you also have Wood Street Station and St James Street, along with Walthamstow Queens Road and Blackhorse Road station which run on the Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line – known locally as the GoBlin.
Walthamstow Bus Station is served by a number of routes, including:
- 20 to Loughton and Debden
- 55 to Hackney and Oxford Circus
- 58 to East Ham, Central Parl
- 69 to Stratford and Canning Town
- 212 to St James Street
- 230 to Wood Green
- 275 to St James Street
If you live in Walthamstow, you can also enjoy a late night of fun in Central London and head home on the N26 night bus from Trafalgar Square, Liverpool Street and various other handy stops along the way.
So wherever you need to head to or travel home from, you’ll find Walthamstow a genuinely convenient location with multiple transport options available whatever your preference.
Parks and green spaces
When it comes to greenery in Walthamstow, Lloyd Park is one of the first places which springs to mind having benefitted from significant improvements in recent years, and offering an extremely welcoming environment for people of all ages.
The William Morris Gallery and ornamental gardens add a touch of culture alongside some fresh air, and the scented grounds ensure there’s a treat for all the senses. With a nature area, sports facilities and an improved focus on railings, seated areas, better paths and lighting, we’re sure you’ll love what the park has to offer.
Of course living in Walthamstow also means you’re right near the impressive Epping Forest and its 6,000 acres or so of glorious green space, the stunning Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve, plus a few other local parks and playgrounds:
- Wingfield Park
- St James Park
- Higham Hill Park
- Greenleaf Park
- Stoneydown Park
The area is also ideal for keen walkers and cyclists, with the River Lea Towpath which is also a section of National Cycle Route 1.
Events and activities in Walthamstow
While living in Walthamstow opens up all the activities and attractions of the city, there’s still plenty to do closer to home.
Every year the locals hold the Walthamstow Garden Party, a fabulous free festival complete with comedy, music, art, kids’ entertainment and activities and much more – a great way to meet members of your new community.
Lottery funding has also supported myriad projects in the local Walthamstow area over recent years, helping to boost the use of local spaces such as Lloyd Park and the Wetlands – which hosts a huge range of weekly and seasonal events and activities, from free to join to paid and ticketed.
Film buffs will be pleased to hear of the annual Walthamstow International Film Festival, there’s a monthly ‘Jazz in the Park’ event at The County Arms and there’s a range of sporting, performance and creative activities across the suburb that are well worth exploring.
Whatever your interests, Walthamstow has more than enough to keep you busy and entertained!
Shopping, pubs and restaurants
One neat touch about the shopping experience in this part of London comes from Walthamstow Market which is recognised as the longest outdoor market in Europe and covers the vast majority of the local High Street. At one kilometre from start to finish, you should find everything you’re looking for and a whole lot more!
Walthamstow also offers all the usual High Street shops and chain stores, alongside more unique boutique shops and cool independents, and it also has Selborne Walk - known as The Mall - a covered shopping centre with an Asda, Boots, Deichmann, JD Sports, Lidl, River Island, Waterstones, TK Maxx and plenty more to satisfy your inner shopaholic.
There is a growing art and bohemian flavour to life in Walthamstow, and this is driving change in the local area, making for a more interesting and entertaining place where every resident is more than catered for.
For evenings and weekends, Walthamstow has a great selection of pubs, many of which also offer food and entertainment. Some of the local favourites include:
- The Bell
- The Castle
- The Chequers
- The Coppermill
- The Goose
- Mother’s Ruin Gin Factory
- The Queen’s Arms
- Wild Card Brewery
- Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub
For a casual bite to eat or a more delectable dining experience, here are some of the best eateries in Walthamstow:
With so many places to socialise and relax, you can see why Walthamstow is such a popular area to live in!
Your personal, local Walthamstow area guide
As a local estate agent, we’ve been selling property in Walthamstow for many years and have seen it grow in a continually positive direction that has made it a truly fantastic place to call home.
We hope our Walthamstow area guide has given you a good idea of what you can expect from this lovely East End suburb, but if you’d like any more information to help you decide if living in Walthamstow is the right choice for you, get in touch with our experts and we’ll do our best to answer any questions you may have.
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Established independent family-run estate agents and property letting agents offering property for sale and property to let in Leytonstone, Leyton, London E11 and E10 plus surrounding areas.