Walthamstow: A local's guide
Walthamstow has been in the public eye quite a bit over recent years, with a growing reputation as a hipster paradise and, more recently, due to its staunch opposition to far-right groups and the adamant rejection of a Gail’s bakery moving in.
It was announced last week, to the shock of many, that nearby Leyton made it onto the list of the ‘coolest neighbourhoods in the world’, according to a certain internet magazine. For those who live in the area, this may sound a little bemusing. For those who live in Walthamstow, it may feel like their crown is being stolen.
So, to restore the status quo, here’s a local’s guide to Walthamstow.
The Village
Although easy to mock as a gentrifier’s dream, Walthamstow Village is a lovely place to spend some time. The main attraction is Orford Road, which features several pubs, restaurants, cafes and independent shops. It’s also soon to be home to the infamous Gail’s.
Clothing and lifestyle shops Pavement and The W Store are great for mooching and candle-sniffing, and the local Spar is far more exciting than it sounds. Run by local company Eat17, this is a corner shop you can get lost in, full of products that may cost you an arm and a leg but that might be hard to find elsewhere. There’s no shortage of places to eat here, and the pedestrianised road means that tables spill out onto the thoroughfare, supporting a buzzing hum of conversation that you might not expect from this residential area.
God’s Own Junkyard
Chances are you’ve seen photos of God’s Own Junkyard before. It’s a popular photoshoot location, and the near-overwhelming quantity of neon signs and electric kitsch is hard to forget. Tucked away on a small industrial estate—which also houses Wild Card Brewery, one of the first ventures to put Walthamstow on the trendy map—this is a must-see if you’re in the area. The work of Chris Bracey, whose work adorned sex shops and film sets alike, is incredible to see en masse, and despite the limited square footage, this is a place ripe for exploration.
Making your way to the other side of the estate and heading towards Wood Street, you can see one of Walthamstow’s many street art murals honouring Bracey in suitably vibrant tones.
Wood Street
If you like baked goods, you’re in the right place; Chocolatine and Wood Street Bakery both emit appealing whiffs of butter and bread as you walk past. The former is more of a takeaway affair, with some counter space available, but the latter is well-furnished with dining tables and a brunch/lunch menu favoured by many locals. On a weekend morning, you might have to queue for a while surrounded by eager dogs and even more energetic children, but it’s worth it. A lockdown success story, Wood Street Bakery exemplifies the area’s encouragement of smaller businesses. This is clear too a little further down the street, where Wood Street Indoor Market and the Georgian Village play host to vintage clothing shops, bakeries, bookshops and hairdressers.
Town Hall and Fellowship Square
Although the construction works to the side might put you off, Waltham Forest Town Hall is an unexpected marvel. The 1930s building has recently been refurbished, and if you have the chance to go on a tour, take it. It’s far more than your usual bureaucratic, strip-lit affair.
There’s a cafe conveniently located in the Assembly Hall next door, providing vegan refreshments to anyone in need of a coffee break, and the outdoor space, Fellowship Square, holds various events throughout the year including markets, film screenings and yoga classes. If you’re planning to visit, make sure to check the council website and the Fellowship Square Instagram to see what’s on.
Lloyd Park and William Morris Gallery
Lloyd Park is the epitome of what a local park should be. An open field, often used for festivals as well as family picnics; tennis courts, a playground and a skate park; not one but two cafes; even a moat, complete with ducks. Popular come rain or shine, and hosting a food market every Saturday, it’s a good spot to go for a stroll or sit with a friend. At the entrance is the William Morris Gallery, showcasing both the artist’s work and holding temporary exhibitions that range from photography to Japanese folk art and textile design.
Hoe Street
Hoe Street has seen an increased number of zhuzhy shops lately, including indie bookshop Public Knowledge Books, card shop Oh Squirrel and the cinephilic dream Reelstore, which sells film prints and posters from across the ages. A vintage/arts/crafts and food market has recently started up outside the Trades Hall each weekend, and among the many places to eat are two renowned pizza spots: Yardsale and Sodo. The latter is down a cobbled street that feels almost from another era and leads to a yoga studio and cafe and pottery studio.
Further along, towards the centre of town, is a growing cultural hub. A new branch of Soho Theatre is set to open in early 2025, taking over what once was the Walthamstow Granada, and just down the road is the recently opened Forest independent cinema. Already a bustling area, this section of Walthamstow will only get busier in the new year and beyond.
The Market
Whether you want fruit and veg, cheap clothes or spiritual crystals, Walthamstow Market has got you covered. Famously known as the second longest outdoor market in Europe, open Tuesday to Saturday, the market has slowly recovered from the brunt of Covid lockdowns and is now back to its former glory. Combined with the shops flanking it on both sides, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll probably find it around here.
Walthamstow Wetlands
Slightly further out from the earlier locations but certainly worth the trip are the Walthamstow Wetlands, which feel a world away from city living. With several trails for walkers and cyclists, bird-watching hides and fishing spots, the Wetlands house several rare species and are considered an internationally important reserve, according to the London Wildlife Trust. Visiting the Wetlands is a reminder of just how close the natural world is to much of London—no matter how distant it may seem when you get onto the Victoria line to go home.
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