Walking Tour: From Fields & the Forest to Royals & the Railway.

Explore Chingford’s history from forest village to London suburb and meet an unexpected cast of characters along the way.

This walk is almost on the 140th anniversary of Queen Victoria visiting Chingford on 6th May 1882.

Chingford on the edge of Epping Forest has a history that is very different to its more urban neighbour Walthamstow less than 4 miles away. By 1901 the population of Chingford hadn’t reached 5,000 whereas Walthamstow’s population was 95,000. Discover why on this tour.

The diverse range of characters who have made their mark on Chingford include T E Lawrence, Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria and the creator of the FA Cup.

This guided walk led by qualified tour guide and long time local resident Joanna Moncrieff, includes following a map based on an 1838 tithe map showing fields whose names reflect its history and footpaths which still exist today.

We will also hear about the Boothby-Heathcotes, a family whose actions dramatically improved the lives of Chingford residents. 

We will also hear about the World War One Aerodrome now underneath a reservoir and Ivor Novello’s connection with the airfield and the pub nearby.

The image above shows a hunting lodge built for Henry VIII in 1543 but known for its connection to Queen Elizabeth I since at least 1777.

The walk finishes at a 19th Century refreshment retreat on the edge of Epping Forest but only a 10 minute downhill walk back to the station. There are two pubs close to the finish too.

This walk is approximately 2 miles long and will include some walking on forest paths.

Joanna Moncrieff is a qualified City of Westminster and Clerkenwell & Islington Tour Guide and for the past 10 years has created and led walks both in Central London and her own neck of the woods in Walthamstow and Chingford.

A Westminster Walks event.