Area Guide - Wood Wharf
2023-06-27
Area Guide
Londoners are officially starting to wonder why everyone is moving to Walthamstow. The reasons, however, speak for themselves, because despite being just a short hop from central London, this E7 district is characterised by having more greenspace than any other north of the Thames. Combined with a rich history, a thriving cultural and dining scene, and a genuine sense of community, maybe the real question is: why not move to Walthamstow?
Its history can be traced back to the Roman occupation of Britain, when it was a settlement established along the River Lea. Once an agricultural region, it was transformed during the industrial revolution, with the arrival of the railway in 1870 attracting a huge influx of new residents and businesses. Today, it remains a vibrant urban centre with a sensibility and style all of its own.
Here, we’re going to take a look at what’s making this such an increasingly popular place to call home...
Walthamstow Village dates back to 1086 and is now a bustling, eclectic mix of pubs, cafes, restaurants, independent shops and wine stores. From delicious delis to first-rate tapas, taprooms and bakeries, this is the ideal spot to while away a lazy afternoon, treating yourself to some of the city’s finest produce. Featuring awe-inspiring historical buildings, almshouses, churches and the Vestry House Museum, there’s plenty to capture the imagination. Meanwhile, the famous salt-beef bagels at the Village Bakery come highly recommended. Charming and hospitable, this remains a fascinating slice of East London antiquity.
William Morris Gallery is the only public gallery devoted to the designer, craftsman and radical socialist Willam Morris. Situated in beautiful Lloyd Park, the gallery is within the walls of a grade II listed Georgian House, which was the Willam Morris home between 1848 to 1846. This is the world’s largest collection of Morris’ work, plus a series of incredible collections from his contemporaries, including key Pre-Raphaelite artists. The prints, drawings, stained glass, sculptures and photographs on display are among the most important anywhere on the planet, and to see them up close and personal is a truly once in a lifetime opportunity.
London’s largest nature reserve, Walthamstow Wetlands is a magnificent greenspace featuring thirteen miles of walking trails and a range of stunning reservoirs, home to kingfishers, peregrine falcons and herons. For nature lovers of all stripes, this is the perfect place to come and leave the pressures of everyday life far behind you. Meanwhile, The Engine House Cafe is situated within the exposed brick walls of the original building and has a terrace with incredible views looking out towards London. With regular family-friendly activities, walking tours and workshops, this has become a real sanctuary for residents as well as the local wildlife.
Mother’s Ruin is a distillery and gin palace hidden away in a former munitions factory in the middle of an industrial park. A buzzy, heady place decked out in a blossom mural, it’s frequently populated by crowds of happy customers, enjoying the fine gin cocktails on offer. Meticulously distilled on the premises, two kinds of gin are available: one a traditional ‘Old Tom’, the other a more experimental version infused with homegrown rose geranium leaf, lemon balm and fennel seeds. The results are tipples that soar to the very highest standards, even for London. Cool interiors and knowledgeable staff combine with these outstanding cocktails to create something really quite extraordinary.
Food For Thought
An established, family-run Turkish restaurant, Gokyuzu offers a warm welcome and range of char-grilled meats, incredible breads and rice and bulgur bursting with flavour. For regular customers, this a home-from-home, the warm, convivial atmosphere ensuring the dining room is full day and night with local people sampling the Meze, sharing plates, plus a superlative brunch and breakfast menu. Outstanding.
For great ramen noodles, broths, katsu curries and gyoza, look no further than Tonkotsu. Making everything fresh each day, this is Japanese cuisine at its very best, whilst the intimate dining room is stylish, vibrant and sophisticated. Meanwhile, the set-lunch is surprisingly affordable and desserts include rare treats like the chocolate and miso salted caramel. Little wonder the residents of Walthamstow keep coming back for more!
Eat 17 is a relaxed, fashionable eatery that uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create a fabulous breakfast, lunch and dinner menu that combines meat, fish and veggie options to great effect. From the smashed avocado to the prawn linguine, every dish is crafted with the kind of loving care that lingers long in the memory. The dining room is effortlessly cool, the vibe is relaxed and the buttermilk-fried chicken burgers have become the stuff of legend. A local favourite and it’s not hard to see why.
A pop-up hidden inside a jeans factory, Slowburn has been gaining a lot of traction lately and not just because of its unusual location. Moreish, freshly made vegetarian and vegan cuisine has been put front and centre. Dishes like the cauliflower fritters with garlic aioli, the striata aubergine with san marzano sauce and the tender stem broccoli with thai red curry sauce have helped put Slowburn squarely on the map. Only open three days a week, business is booming, something that seems set to continue long into the future.
Property
If you are interested in living in this area we have recently listed a stylish, expertly crafted duplex penthouse apartment, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a large terrace.
Asking Price: £780,000
Size: 1131 sq. ft.
For more information: https://www.chbl.uk/en/buy/ew-hr0030
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Getting Around
Walthamstow is extremely well served by the Victoria Line, also a series of bus routes, making travel into Central London quick and efficient. The area also enjoys an abundance of walking, jogging and cycling routes.
Business and Education
Local educational institutions include Waltham Forest College, the University of Hertfordshire and Hope Business and Technology College. Local businesses include software and fashion companies, and a variety of independent breweries.
