London Borough of Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest is a borough in the northeastern part of Greater London that includes neighborhoods such as Chingford, Leyton, Leytonstone, and Walthamstow. The area blends residential streets with green spaces and stretches from the Lea Valley to the hills near Epping Forest.

Three independent municipalities joined together in 1965 during the reorganization of Greater London administration. The merger brought areas with rural character and densely built neighborhoods under a single authority.

The name comes from Waltham Forest, a medieval royal hunting ground that once stretched far beyond today's boundaries. Local markets and small shops along the high streets of different neighborhoods show the variety of communities living side by side.

Several Underground stations on the Victoria and Central Lines connect different neighborhoods with central London. Buses run regularly along the main roads and provide links to nearby boroughs and Overground rail stations.

A workshop garden in Walthamstow was the site where Frederick Bremer built the first motor car in Britain in 1892. The vehicle was developed entirely in a private setting, long before the car industry really began in England.

Location: Greater London

Inception: April 1, 1965

Capital city: Walthamstow

Shares border with: London Borough of Enfield

Website: https://walthamforest.gov.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.59122,-0.01353

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:00