What’s On

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Spotlight

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Explore

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Explore the town centre


Swipe the slider on the map left or right to see all of Walthamstow’s Town Centre areas, which are
displayed in coloured circles. Click any area to discover your next favourite spot in Walthamstow.

Hatherley Mews

Hatherley Mews is a hidden gem amongst the backdrop of a bustling town centre. Retaining its original stable house façade, its cobbled street and repurposed stables host a range of independent businesses, studios, and workshops where people craft niche and interesting products. Some noteworthy examples include Skandihus, a ceramist workshop which hosts classes for all levels, and Alan Godier Musical Boxes, a skilled tinkerer who restores 18th-20th century music boxes. You can also eat, relax, or rejuvenate at East of Eden, a café and yoga studio, or grab a sough dough pizza boasting fresh, sustainable produce from Sodo Pizza.

Why not Explore Hatherley Mews or see What’s On

High St & Market

Walthamstow High Street encompasses everything which makes Walthamstow special. It’s rich cultural heritage, diverse population, and heartfelt community spirit is unmissable along this mile long High Street. Most famously there’s Walthamstow Market which began in 1885, providing a variety of wears from fruit and veg stalls, to leather tanning services, to brightly coloured African and Asian garments. Whilst this traditional market is closed on Sunday’s, foodies are spoiled for choice as instead there’s the Walthamstow Farmers Market selling high quality food pantry goods, and Sunday Social, an eclectic mix of food stalls from all corners of the globe. The High Street itself hosts an array of cafes with outdoor seating, beauty salons, restaurants, and late-night drinking spots. Most notably it hosts a strip of haberdashery shops, offering an array of wholesale fabrics in all kinds of beautiful colours and patterns. Noteworthy food joints include JerkFusion, boasting the only place in Europe selling jerk chicken hot dogs; the hugely popular tapas restaurant Don Francisco Y La Luna; Iree Island, serving authentic Caribbean cuisine with a sprinkle of ‘good vibes’; and Lithuanian bistro Litianica, also serving as an Eastern European food shop and deli. If you’re after a night out then The Chequers Pub is a must, and if you want to go out-out then you can dance until early hours at Romax.

Why not Explore High St & Market or see What’s On

Ravenswood Industrial Estate

This isn’t just any old industrial site, it’s a community of makers, fixers and creatives. Individually they are commended for their offering, but together they are celebrated for throwing all kinds of exciting parties and events, from festivals to food fairs. Almost like a super team, they are known as The Ravenswood Collective, who literally live by the motto “work hard, play hard”.

Some of the key businesses in the collective are by nature a conduit to leisurely experiences. You have two breweries, Pillars which also doubles up as a taproom, and Wildcard Barrel Store, a taproom also serving sourdough pizza. There’s yet another tap room, this time within cidery called Real Al Cider, owned by two women, and Mothers Ruin, another female owned business both serving and distilling deliciously crafted gin.

Adding more vibrancy to the eclectic collective is the famous Gods Own Junkyard, a neon light studio, which also exhibits its products attracting tourists from all over (as well as being a popular set for photoshoots and music videos).

It’s certainly worth visiting this destination outside regular working hours to catch the “play hard” version of the industrial estate – and if you come for Eat or Heat’s annual all day charity rave, you’ll also catch Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy playing hard with one of her renown DJ sets.

Why not Explore Ravenswood Industrial Estate or see What’s On

St James St

St James Street is often referred to as the ‘up and coming’ part of Walthamstow, with hundreds of new homes, independent cafes and restaurants, and murals by local artists such as Angry Dan popping up over the last few years. Noteworthy spots are Delight Kitchen, a Turkish grill open till late in the evening, CRATE, a collection of shipping container units hosting a range of independent business from arts and crafts to craft beer. The Mill is an arts led community centre hosting activities for all ages. Further south coming off St James Street is Station Road, which hosts a range independent of black owned businesses such as Sea Breeze Caribbean takeaway and Harrisons, selling secondhand wears including rare vinyls for the crate diggers out there. St James Station is bang in the middle, not only providing a short commute to Liverpool Street but also serving cyclists with a cycle hub. If you are planning to cycle and get a flat don’t panic, as Walthamstow Cycles is just around the corner.

Why not Explore St James St or see What’s On

The Scene & Hoe St

Hoe Street has undergone noticeable transformation in recent years, particularly at the junction where it meets the High Street, now known as ‘The Scene’. This bustling area has something for everyone, with lots going on both day and night. There’s a variety of restaurants, the craft beer taphouse The Collab, the flamboyant dessert venue Heavenly Desserts, and multi-screen Empire Cinema (which shows the latest movies with a variety of accessibility options). Opposite The Scene is Central Parade, a row of independent shops selling artisanal goods and produce, such as framed art from Art Snug and popular bakery and coffee house Today Bread. If comedy, theatre, or cabaret is your thing then you are spoiled for choice, as along Hoe Street there’s Ye Olde Rose & Crown, a pub and upstairs theatre, and nationally anticipated Soho Theatre Walthamstow which is due to open early 2024.

Why not Explore The Scene & Hoe St or see What’s On

The Village

There’s a certain serenity to this quaint section of Walthamstow, largely due to its rich heritage dating back to medieval England. Much of Walthamstow has transformed over the years as it adapts to changing times, however Walthamstow Village, or simply known locally as ‘The Village’, is largely preserved, helped by its conservation status being introduced in the late 1960’s. This makes The Village architecturally stunning, with buildings immortalising times that have come before. There’s the oldest residential house in Walthamstow, still visible in its distinct 15th century design, and Orford House, an early 19th century villa now serving as a social club and events venue. There’s St Mary’s C of E, whose site has served as a church since the 12th century Norman period, and the much newer Our Lady and St George Catholic Church built in 1995, which won a Civic Trust’s commendation award for its “interesting and unusual design”. If you want to delve deeper into The Village’s history, you can check the archives at the Vestry House Museum, or look out for free historic tours in our What’s On section, which takes place throughout the year.

To compliment a walk around the sites, there’s a nice selection of shops along Orford Road, in particular its range of quality pantry goods doubling up as a coffee shops and eateries. These include Froth&Rind, a coffee and cheese shop, Eat17 wholefood store and bistro, and Peeld, serving hearty poke bowls.

There’s a nice selection of drinking spots in The Village too. By way of pubs you have The Castle, Queens Arms, The Village, and last but not least the eccentric feline friendly Nags Head. For a more sophisticated approach to beverages, Hometipple is cosy wine bar and shop who also regularly host fun and informative tasting workshops.

Why not Explore The Village or see What’s On

Town Square

Walthamstow Town Square is the heart of the town centre. This includes Walthamstow Central Station which connects Walthamstow to Brixton in just 30 minutes via the Victoria Line, as well as the Overground through Hackney and East London. The iconic 17 & Central shopping mall contains an array of high-street stores, flexi-tariff car parking, and newly fitted public toilets and baby changing facilities. This backs onto Walthamstow Town Square Gardens, which serves as both a relaxing spot on one side, and a child’s play area on the other. There is also Walthamstow Library, which often hosts community and children’s events as well as providing book rentals, study space and meeting room hire.

Why not Explore Town Square or see What’s On

Wood Street

Wood Street is host to a range of unique and interesting independent businesses, with a great offering both day and night. There’s Wood Street Indoor Market, selling antiques, alternative books, records, retro toys and all sorts. There’s a range of speciality cafes serving quality coffee, brunch, and hosting supper clubs such as Coffee Boxx, Hiba, Dudley’s and The Old Station Yard Café.

Troubridge Square, locally known as Wood Street Plaza, has a dry deck fountain and playground popular with children. The plaza also contains the Wood Street Library and Café, which often host a range of community activities.

If you’re looking for an evening offering, then there’s plenty to choose from. By way of dining there’s The Lacy Nook serving Balkan cuisine, Forest Tandoori, a BYOB Halal Indian restaurant, and Art e Pasta, serving pasta freshly made on site. For drinks you have The Duke and The Flower Pot pubs, a Clapton Craft tap room, and Clandestino, a speak easy tequila and mezcal bar.

To top it all off this corner of Walthamstow has plenty of street art, benefiting from being home to acclaimed Wood Street Walls.

Though relatively unfamiliar, Wood Street is one of London’s most interesting and characteristic destinations – great for locals and tourists alike.

Why not Explore Wood Street or see What’s On