Walthamstow Village is the oldest part of

Walthamstow Walthamstow ( or ) is a large town in East London, east London, England, within the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Greater London and the Historic counties of England, ancient county of Essex. Situated northeast of Chari ...

, east

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

. It was designated a

Conservation Area Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...

by the

London Borough of Waltham Forest The London Borough of Waltham Forest () is a London borough in north-east London, England. Its population is estimated to be 276,983 in 2019. It borders five other London boroughs: Enfield to the north-west, Haringey to the west, Hackney to th ...

in 1967, and another Conservation Area on nearby Orford Road was subsequently added. The area centres on St. Mary's Church, which was founded in the 12th century. Across the road from this is a 15th-century

timber-framed Timber framing (german: Holzfachwerk) and "post-and-beam" construction are traditional methods of building with heavy timbers, creating structures using squared-off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden ...

hall house The hall house is a type of vernacular house traditional in many parts of England, Wales, Ireland and lowland Scotland, as well as northern Europe, during the Middle Ages, centring on a hall. Usually timber-framed, some high status examples wer ...

called "The Ancient House", which was restored in 1934 and 2002. Nearby are

almshouse An almshouse (also known as a bede-house, poorhouse, or hospital) was charitable housing provided to people in a particular community, especially during the medieval era. They were often targeted at the poor of a locality, at those from certain ...

s dating from the 16th and 18th centuries, and the

Vestry House Museum Vestry House Museum is a history museum in Walthamstow focusing on the heritage of the local area. The collection includes various artefacts dating from the Victorian era to the 20th century, including numerous archived documents and photograp ...

, which has been used as a

workhouse In Britain, a workhouse () was an institution where those unable to support themselves financially were offered accommodation and employment. (In Scotland, they were usually known as poorhouses.) The earliest known use of the term ''workhouse'' ...

and police station, but has been a museum since 1931. It also holds the archives of the borough and a local studies library. Orford Road, the ancient road leading up to St Mary's church, has in recent years developed as a street of small restaurants, cafes and a local supermarket. There are also several pubs in the area.

Transport and locale

Nearest stations

Walthamstow Central station Walthamstow Central is a London Underground and London Overground interchange station in the town of Walthamstow in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, north-east London. It is the northern terminus of the Victoria line following Blackhorse ...

Wood Street railway station Wood Street is a railway station on the Chingford branch of the Lea Valley lines, located in Upper Walthamstow in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, east London. It is down the line from London Liverpool Street and is situated between ...

Bus routes

* There is one bus route, the W12, which operates a hail-and-ride service in the area.

Places of interest

* The Ancient House * St. Mary's Church, Walthamstow * Orford House

References

External links

Walthamstow Village News and Residents AssociationVestry House Museum
Walthamstow Village, 1998

{{LB Waltham Forest Areas of London Districts of the London Borough of Waltham Forest Walthamstow