There’s so much more to Walthamstow than just its famous mile-long Market. Its history is not what you might think either but the grand tombs in St Mary’s Churchyard offer a bit of a clue.

We start our walk at the teenage home of William Morris which was later home to publisher Edward Lloyd who brought to us the tale of Sweeney Todd and so much more. Today Water House is home to the William Morris Gallery, Art Fund Museum of the Year 2013.

Our walk takes in a set of mews built by a local butcher/property developer, the theatre hidden within a school and a remnant from Robert Smirke’s General Post Office.

We will visit the real and original Walthamstow Village with its Ancient House, almshouses, workhouse and church and hear how Lord Mayor of London George Monoux was a great benefactor to the area.

Our walk finishes in 21st century Walthamstow in an industrial park which is home to the jaw dropping God’s Own Junkyard.

Update: unfortunately due to a private event God’s Own Junkyard will only be open between 11am & 12pm on the day of the walk. If you want to visit it during that hour the post code is E17 9HQ and is about 20 minutes’ walk from the start of the walk.

Meeting place

The walk starts outside the front entrance to the William Morris Gallery which is about 12 minutes’ walk from Walthamstow Central station. Full directions are lower down.

If you have any accessibility issues it would be better to get off the tube at Tottenham Hale and then get a 123 bus in the direction of Ilford; there is a bus stop outside the Gallery. 

This walk is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

It is adviseable not to drive to this walk as parking is very limited for non-residents. You can check days and hours of operation of the various CPZs at this website https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking-permits-and-suspensions/controlled-parking-zones-cpzs

Some of the lovely comments received after ‘leading’ this as a virtual tour

“Brilliant, despite living here for 40 years I learnt a lot about the area I walk around regularly I am amazed what I have missed!!”

“Really enjoyed the talk today – incredibly interesting and engaging.”

“Amazing!! as usual, great talk thank you”

“Thank you, that was fascinating and really informative.”

“Thanks Joanna, didn’t think I would learn much new but I sure did. Great Talk!”

“Thank you so much! Really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Fascinating.”

Upcoming dates for all Joanna’s walks and virtual tours can be found on the following link. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/joanna-moncrieff-footprints-of-london-6750753789

Tours of Waltham Forest Town Hall Joanna is currently leading tours of the town hall on the third Saturday of every month up to November 2024. This is in conjunction with the London Borough of Waltham Forest. More details and booking here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waltham-forest-town-hall-guided-tour-tickets-931951220187

Directions from Walthamstow Central

On arriving at the top of the escalator from the Victoria Line tube turn immediately left – signposted for buses and Selborne Road. You will go down a short flight of stairs and then after going through the ticket barriers go up a bigger steep flight of stairs. At the top of the stairs walk straight on, through the bus station. At the end you will see a small alleyway called Rosebank Villas with a multicoloured floor. There is a betting shop and ahead you will see the side of the new Forest Cinema. As you emerge out of the alleyway turn right. Then take the first left which is Hoe Street. Carry on along Hoe Street and after about 7 minutes turn left into Gaywood Road – this cuts off the corner and at the end of Gaywood Road you will be opposite the Gallery. Please do take care when walking along Hoe Street as there are a number of “Copenhagen” style crossings where there is no obvious division between the pavement and the road.

The industrial estate at the end of the walk is about 13 minutes’ walk back to Walthamstow Central tube.

You may want to arrive early to have a look around the William Morris Gallery before the walk. It’s free to enter plus there’s a cafe there too https://www.wmgallery.org.uk/home

All walks can be offered as private tours and both as virtual and real life tours. Please get in touch via the contact button for more information.