The London Borough of Waltham Forest was formed in 1965 from three Essex boroughs: Leyton, Walthamstow and Chingford. Its history includes Walthamstow's old name, 'the Place of Welcome', Henry VIII's Great Standing, Daniel Defoe travelling through Leytonstone, Queen Victoria giving Epping Forest to the people, the first British motorcar and the first all-British aeroplane, bombing in both world wars, and the first London Borough of Culture in 2019.
Oldest first
Newest first
π°
Middle Ages
1066 β 1485
c. 1075β1086
π
Three places in the Domesday Book
Walthamstow was recorded around 1075 as Wilcumestowe ('the Place of Welcome') and in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Wilcumestou. The Domesday Book also lists six estates or manors at Leituna (Leyton), a name meaning 'settlement on the River Lea', and records Chingford as Cingefort.
From the records: βWalthamstow is recorded c. 1075 as Wilcumestowe ("the Place of Welcome") and in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Wilcumestou.β
1100sβ1200s
βͺ
Chingford's old church
Parts of an old church in Chingford date back to the 1100s and 1200s. In 1844 the church of St Peter and St Paul took over its role as Chingford's parish church.
From the records: βParts of the church date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, but it now forms part of the parish of St Peter and St Paul, Chingford, which took over its role as the parish church in 1844.β
1204
πͺ΅
The ford by the stumps?
Chingford was recorded as Chagingeford in 1204. This may mean 'the ford of the dwellers by the stumps'.
From the records: βThis may be supported by the form Chagingeford recorded in 1204, which may mean the ford of the dwellers by the stumps.β
1205
π²
The name Waltham Forest
The first known use of the name Waltham Forest is from 1205, in Medieval Latin: 'foresta nostra prope Waltham'. The name was used until the end of the 1600s.
From the records: βThe first known use of the name Waltham Forest is 1205 (in Medieval Latin) as foresta nostra prope Waltham, and the use of the name persisted, until the end of the seventeenth century.β
1300s
πͺ¨
Leyton-atte-stone
The first written evidence of a settlement at Leytonstone is from the 1300s: a hamlet called 'Leyton-atte-stone'. The name refers to a Roman milestone that marked a northern boundary of the parish.
From the records: βThe first documented evidence of settlement is from the 14th century, describing a hamlet at 'Leyton-atte-stone'; a reference to the Roman milestone located within the area, that formed a northern boundary of the parish.β
π
Tudors and Stuarts
1485 β 1714
1543
π¦
The Great Standing
The Great Standing was built for King Henry VIII in 1543. It was used as a grandstand to watch the hunting of deer, and it has been heavily altered over time.
From the records: βOriginally called the Great Standing, it was built for King Henry VIII in 1543, and was used as a grandstand to watch the hunting of deer, although it has been heavily altered over time.β
1600s
βͺ
St Mary the Virgin, Leyton
Leyton's parish church of St Mary the Virgin was largely rebuilt in the 1600s.
From the records: βLeyton's parish church of St Mary the Virgin was largely rebuilt in the 17th century.β
1660s
π
Living 'like a prince'
In the 1660s Sir William Batten, Surveyor of the Navy, and his wife Elizabeth Woodcocke had a house in Wood Street, Walthamstow. According to Samuel Pepys, Batten lived 'like a prince' and grew a vineyard there.
From the records: βIn the 1660s Sir William Batten, Surveyor of the Navy, and his wife Elizabeth Woodcocke had a house in Wood Street where, according to Samuel Pepys, Batten lived "like a prince" and cultivated a vineyard.β
In 1718 huge ancient foundations, including arches that looked Roman, were recorded at Grange Park Road in Leyton. Reports described ancient ruins covering 2 acres.
From the records: βHuge ancient foundations, including arches of Roman appearance were recorded in 1718 at Grange Park Road, about 400m to the northeast of the Oliver Close Estate, with reports describing ancient ruins covering 2 acres.β
1722
βοΈ
Defoe passes through
In 1722 the author Daniel Defoe travelled through "Layton-stone, a place by some known, now as much, by the sign of the Green-Man".
From the records: βIn 1722, author Daniel Defoe travelled through "Layton-stone, a place by some known, now as much, by the sign of the Green-Man".β
1600sβ1766
π‘
A retreat from London
In the 1600s and 1700s Leyton was a 'pretty retiring place from London' for wealthy merchants and bankers. In 1766 there were said to be 50 or 60 gentlemen with houses in the parish.
From the records: βDuring the 17th and 18th centuries, Leyton was a "pretty retiring place from London" for wealthy merchants and bankers; in 1766 there were said to be 50 or 60 gentlemen with houses in the parish.β
Late 1700s
π°
The butcher's and the chestnut tree
In Wood Street, Walthamstow, the former Jones's Butchers Shop is a weatherboarded building from the late 1700s. Next to it grows the Wood Street Horse Chestnut, one of the Great Trees of London.
From the records: βOne of the Great Trees of London, the Wood Street Horse Chestnut, is located next to the former Jones's Butchers Shop, a grade II listed, late 18th century weatherboarded building.β
π
Victorians
1837 β 1901
1839
π
Friday Hill House
Friday Hill House in Chingford dates from 1839. It was a manor house built and owned by Robert Boothby Heathcote, who was both the lord of the manor and rector of the local church.
From the records: βFriday Hill House, Simmons Lane, off Friday Hill, dating from 1839, was a manor house built and owned by Robert Boothby Heathcote, who was both the lord of the manor and rector of the local church.β
1840β1894
π
Stations for Leyton
Leyton's railway stations came one by one: first Lea Bridge Station in 1840, then Low Leyton in 1856 (now Leyton Underground), and finally Leyton Midland Road in 1894, on an elevated line built on brick arches across streets that were already there.
From the records: βFirst at Lea Bridge Station in 1840, then at Low Leyton in 1856 (now Leyton Underground).β
1869β1901
ποΈ
Pile dwellings by the Ching
Between 1869 and 1901, while reservoirs were being built, the remains of pile dwellings covering a considerable area were found near the mouth of the Ching.
From the records: βThe remains of pile dwellings, covering a considerable area, were found near the mouth of the Ching between 1869 and 1901, when the reservoirs were being built.β
Late 1800s
ποΈ
From villages to suburbs
Until the late 1800s Walthamstow was largely rural, with a small village centre (now Walthamstow Village) and a number of large estates. When the railways came, there was a large growth in its population and much speculative building. Leyton grew quite rapidly between 1870 and 1910.
From the records: βUntil the late 19th century Walthamstow was largely rural, with a small village centre (now Walthamstow Village) and a number of large estates.β
1873
π
Gateway to the forest
Chingford Station opened in 1873 and brought a huge increase in visitors, many of whom used Chingford as a gateway to Epping Forest.
From the records: βChingford Station opened in 1873 and brought with it a huge increase in visitors to the area, many of whom used the town as a gateway to Epping Forest.β
1873β1878
πΊοΈ
The Walthamstow Slip
In 1873 a separate piece of Walthamstow parish, known as the 'Walthamstow Slip', was put into the new Leyton district. In 1878 it was moved to Leyton parish.
From the records: βA local government district was created in 1873, covering the parish of Leyton or Low Leyton and the Walthamstow Slip.β
1878
π³
A forest for the people
In 1878 Queen Victoria gave Epping Forest to the people under the Epping Forest Act, which kept it unenclosed for public enjoyment. In Leytonstone, forest land escaped being built on after a long public campaign, when the Act saved more than 200 acres of open space.
From the records: βThe forest was given to the people by Queen Victoria in 1878 under the Epping Forest Act, which ensured it was kept unenclosed for public enjoyment.β
1885
π
Walthamstow Market
Walthamstow Market began in 1885. It takes up all but the last 100 yards of the High Street.
From the records: βThe High Street is dominated by Walthamstow Market, which began in 1885, and occupies all but the last 100 yards of the street.β
1891
β
Butler's Retreat
Butler's Retreat, next to Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, was built as a barn in the mid-1800s. It is named after John Butler, who occupied it in 1891, and is one of the few Victorian retreats left in the forest. It re-opened as a cafe in 2012.
From the records: βOriginally a barn built in the mid-19th century, Butler's Retreat, a Grade II listed building, is one of the few remaining Victorian retreats within the forest.β
1892
π
The first British motorcar
In 1892 Frederick Bremer built the first British motorcar in a workshop in his garden, at Connaught Road, Walthamstow.
From the records: βIn 1892, a private citizen named Frederick Bremer built the first British motorcar in a workshop in his garden, at Connaught Road, Walthamstow.β
1898
π
An escalator in Leytonstone
In 1898 Bearmans in Leytonstone, a department store opened by Frank Bearman to sell furniture and clothing, was the first store outside central London with an escalator.
From the records: βIn 1898 the department store Bearmans, opened by Frank Bearman to sell furniture and clothing, was the first store outside central London with an escalator.β
1900
π·
Lloyd Park
Lloyd Park, on Forest Road behind the William Morris Gallery, has been open to the public since 1900.
From the records: βLloyd Park has been open to the public since 1900 and is located on Forest Road behind the William Morris Gallery.β
βοΈ
The World Wars
1901 β 1945
1897β1903
π
Coronation Gardens
In 1897 Leyton's council bought land near the town hall for a park. It opened in 1903 as Coronation Gardens, named after the coronation of King Edward VII.
From the records: βIn 1897 Leyton Urban District Council purchased the land for a formal park close to the town hall; it opened in 1903 as Coronation Gardens, named after the coronation of King Edward VII.β
1905
β½
The Lammas land
In 1905 the council bought the 'Lammas land', common pasture land on Leyton Marshes, to use as a recreation ground.
From the records: βIn 1905, the "Lammas land", common pasture land on Leyton Marshes, was purchased by the council for use as a recreation ground.β
1909
βοΈ
The first all-British aeroplane
In 1909 the aviation pioneer A V Roe successfully tested the first all-British aeroplane, the Roe I Triplane, on Walthamstow Marshes.
From the records: βIn 1909, the aviation pioneer A V Roe successfully tested the first all-British aeroplane, the Roe I Triplane, on land at Walthamstow Marshes.β
1915β1916
π
Air raids in the First World War
In August 1915 the airship L10 dropped bombs along a route roughly following the Gospel Oak to Barking railway line. In September 1916 the German Navy airship L 31 dropped around ten bombs along Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, killing eight people there.
From the records: βOn 17/18 August 1915, Airship L10 took a route roughly following the Gospel Oak to Barking railway line, dropping incendiary and high-explosive bombs.β
1920s
π
Neckties and Thermos flasks
By the 1920s Leyton had become a built-up urban industrial area, known for making neckties and for its Thermos factory.
From the records: βBy the 1920s, it had become a built-up and thriving urban industrial area known for manufacturing neckties and for its Thermos factory.β
1921
π·οΈ
No more 'Low Leyton'
Until 1921 Leyton was also known as 'Low Leyton'. In 1921 the name was confirmed to be just Leyton.
From the records: βThe name means "settlement (tun) on the River Lea" and was also known until 1921 as "Low Leyton".β
1926β1938
ποΈ
Three boroughs
Leyton became a municipal borough in 1926, Walthamstow in 1929 and Chingford in 1938. Chingford Town Hall, on The Ridgeway, dates from 1929.
From the records: βIn 1926 the urban district was incorporated as a borough, becoming the Municipal Borough of Leyton.β
1940β1944
π£
Bombing in the Second World War
During the Blitz, from October 1940 to June 1941, the area was hit by around 728 high explosive bombs, 17 parachute mines and a much greater number of small incendiary bombs. In 1944 V-1 flying bombs and V-2 long-range missiles hit the area: a V-1 on central Walthamstow killed 22 people, and a V-2 on Chingford Road, Walthamstow, killed 8.
From the records: βDuring the most intense period of the Blitz (October 1940 to June 1941), the area was hit by around 728 high explosive bombs, 17 parachute mines and an unknown, but much greater number of small incendiary bombs.β
ποΈ
Modern times
Since 1945
1965
ποΈ
The London Borough of Waltham Forest
In 1965 the Essex boroughs of Leyton, Walthamstow and Chingford were merged to form the London Borough of Waltham Forest, created under the London Government Act 1963. Leytonstone became part of it too.
From the records: βThe London Borough of Waltham Forest (/ΛwΙΛlΞΈΙm, ΛwΙl-/) is an outer London borough formed in 1965 from the merger of the Essex municipal boroughs of Leyton, Walthamstow and Chingford.β
1970
π¬
Filmed in Leytonstone
Deep End, a 1970 British-German drama starring Jane Asher, was partly shot on Cann Hall Road and at Cathall Road Baths, which were built in 1906.
From the records: βDeep End, a 1970 British-German drama starring Jane Asher with a soundtrack by Can, was partly shot on Cann Hall Road and Cathall Road Baths (built 1906, rebuilt later in 1977).β
1970sβ2006
π’
Tower blocks
In the 1970s the borough had 20 tower blocks of 20 storeys. Now the only one left is Northwood Tower in Walthamstow. Demolition of the Beaumont Road Estate, the last large high-rise estate in the Leyton area, began in 2006.
From the records: βThe only remaining 20-storey tower block left in Waltham Forest β from a 1970s peak of 20 across the borough β is the Northwood Tower in Walthamstow.β
Mid-1990s
π£οΈ
The M11 link road
In the mid-1990s the M11 link road (A12) was built through Leytonstone, despite a long-running protest by locals and road protesters.
From the records: βIn the mid-1990s, the M11 link road (A12) was built through the area, despite a long-running protest by locals and road protestors.β
2012
π
Ready for the Olympics
In the build-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games, the council spent Β£475,000 restoring 41 shopfronts on the part of Leyton High Road closest to the Olympic site.
From the records: βAnd, most recently, in the build-up to the Olympics, Waltham Forest Borough Council spent Β£475,000 restoring 41 shopfronts on the part of Leyton High Road closest to the 2012 London Olympic Games site.β
2014
π²
Mini Holland
In 2014 cyclists made up about 8.41% of traffic across the borough. That year the Mayor of London gave the borough a 'Mini Holland' grant to improve cycle routes across Walthamstow.
From the records: βIn 2014, cyclists made up approximately 8.41% of general traffic across the Borough, and in the same year, the Borough was awarded a "Mini Holland" grant by the Mayor of London to improve infrastructure and cycle routes across Walthamstow.β
2019
π
London Borough of Culture
In 2019 Waltham Forest was the first ever London Borough of Culture.
From the records: βWaltham Forest was the first ever London Borough of Culture in 2019.β