Walthamstow: Arts cafe in the heart of the neighbourhood

Nestled away in the heart of one of Walthamstow's many tree lined Victorian neighbourhoods, you'll find Arts and Crusts. Offering an array of gourmet coffees, cakes, pastries and lunch, Arts and Crusts is a delightful E17 eatery.
Located on Victoria Road (just off St John's Road), Arts and Crusts is a welcome addition to a neighbourhood that already has a lot to offer. Turn left at the top of St John's Road and a short stretch of the legs will carry you to La Cafeteria, a great local Italian influenced eatery. This neighbourhood offers much more besides though, including: the Forest Complimentary Clinic, providing a range of therapies from hot stone massage, acupuncture and aromatherapy to reflexology and indian head massage; Wood Street, with just about everything from pubs (try the Duke's Head or the Flowerpot) to more cafes and restaurants, aswell as the funky indoor market and don't forget a library, oh yes and a train station that has you at Liverpool Street in around 20 minutes and mustn't forget Epping Forest (yes, I said Epping Forest - the edge of which begins almost at the end of Wood Street; Walthamstow Town Hall, a beautiful piece of architecture that adds to the richness of this NE London borough; the Bell Pub, recently refurbished and offering a wide range of ales for the weary Stowite; and MUCH more besides.
More and more people are coming around to the many benefits of Walthamstow (see http://walthamstowpops.blogspot.com/2013/06/walthamstow-set-for-greatness.html). To truly appreciate all that it has to offer you need to venture way beyond the town centre and spend some time investigating the multitude of amazing neighbourhoods that this charming leafy borough has to bestow. Why not start your next outing with a cappuccino and a slice of cake and a visit to Arts and Crusts. You won't regret it!

More on Walthamstow. See www.what-is-walthamstow-like.blogspot.com

Walthamstow set for greatness

Just 20 minutes from Oxford Circus on the Victoria line and 14 minutes to Liverpool Street on the overground, Walthamstow is ideally situated for smart Londoners looking to strike a balance between relative affordability and some seriously cool benefits.

Walthamstow has a very cool village district located on and around Orford Road, together with Arty Theatre bars, great restaurants and the added benefit of being located on the edge of Epping Forest, offering tired commuters a country escape at the weekends. 

Things have been happening lately to add to the Stow's appeal (or Awesomestow as the Twitterati have aptly named it - #awesomestow).

Hill Partnership, together with partner Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA) have begun work on a new mixed-use re-development in the heart of Walthamstow that will see Hill develop a 9-screen 1,200-seat multiplex cinema, 20,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space as well as 71 private sale apartments, and 50 apartments and houses for partner ISHA. The apartments will be raised above street level and the commercial space will overlook a communal garden.

Hill’s agreement with Empire Cinemas will see the return of the big screen to Walthamstow High Street and is seen as the cornerstone development in the borough.

Good old Boris (Johnson that is) ponied up some funding to revitalize the Wood Street area of the town, which has an array of funky pubs, restaurants, an indoor market and a generally urban chic feel to it that has helped attract new cool blood to the area. Wood Street also has an overground train station that offers commuters direct service to London Liverpool Street in less that 20 minutes.

Lets not forget Lloyd Park. Following recent investment and redevelopment its fantastic, with beautiful gardens, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and the recently upgraded William Morris Gallery, its a great place for families and is handily surrounded by some of Walthamstow's most attractive housing stock.

Property is plentiful in this leafy town, with an array of attractive Victorian terraced houses and flat/maisonette conversions, as well as more modern developments to be found in several locations including Fulbourne Road and Forest Road.

Property prices are reasonable (for London!) and rents too are very affordable compared with neighbouring Stoke Newington and well Hackney generally. Considering Walthamstow is in zone 3 it's surprising that the area hasn't exploded sooner.

The time is right to buy here while mortgage rates remain low and prices have yet to explode. Rest assured, a prudent investment in 2013 will pay dividends a few years down the road.

For more on London's newest coolest suburb, check out http://www.refinery29.com/2013/08/51198/walthamstow-london?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=tweet#page-3. Great article on why Walthamstow is London's coolest hood.

www.what-is-walthamstow-like.blogspot.com