A Market, a Music Hall, Pubs, Pepys & Keats

Originally called Marsh Street, as it led to the marshes, by the end of the 1800s this one time rural road was a thriving shopping street, often described as the longest street market in Europe. Apart from a place where you could buy anything from high class drapery to a jar of pickled fish it was also a destination for evening entertainment such as to the sadly long gone Palace Theatre to see Marie Lloyd and other famous music hall stars.

You may be surprised to learn that Keats made occasional visits to Walthamstow as his sister was studying at a Marsh Street School and Pepys visited at least 23 times to see two of his contemporaries.

Meeting place

The walk starts outside St James’s Street Overground Station (Weaver Line). This is one stop from Walthamstow Central in the direction of Liverpool Street.

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/sites/default/files/2026-03/2026_03_05_CPZ_Overview_Map-A1%20Portrait_Whole%20Borough%20Map.pdf

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 I am currently leading tours mostly on third Sundays. Places are available on tours up until September 2026. This is in conjunction with the London Borough of Waltham Forest. More details and booking can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waltham-forest-town-hall-guided-tour-tickets-931951220187

This is a linear walk finishing close to Walthamstow Central Station.

All walks can be offered as private tours and both as virtual and real life tours. Please email joanna [at] westminsterwalks [dot] london for more information.