Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest covers the north-eastern edge of London and includes Walthamstow, Leyton, Leytonstone and Chingford. The borough follows the River Lea through the Lea Valley and contains Walthamstow Wetlands, a reservoir complex with a restored Victorian pumping station and visitor centre that opened to the public in recent years. Walthamstow High Street hosts Walthamstow Market, which runs along the road and is one of the longest open-air markets in Europe. The William Morris Gallery in Lloyd Park documents the designer’s life and links to local craft and printing history. Transport connections include the Victoria line at Walthamstow Central, the Central line through Leyton and Leytonstone, and London Overground services from Chingford and Walthamstow.

Green space and built heritage sit close together in the borough. Chingford meets the southern edge of Epping Forest and contains Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, a timber-framed 16th-century building. Leytonstone marks the childhood of Alfred Hitchcock and displays mosaics and a statue that reference his films. Industrial sites along the Lea reflect the area’s water and railway history, while smaller high streets host markets, workshops and community venues.