Walthamstow schools, culture and local businesses receive mentions as area is named one of London’s top neighbourhoods for 2021… Walthamstow has been […]By Waltham Forest Echo

Walthamstow schools, culture and local businesses receive mentions as area is named one of London’s top neighbourhoods for 2021...

Walthamstow has been dubbed one of London’s six best places to live by The Sunday Times.

In their annual guide to the UK’s best places to live, Walthamstow was named one of the capital’s greatest neighbourhoods – giving nods to several local businesses in the process.

Judges paid tribute to Walthamstow’s “arty, crafty shops, street market and pretty houses” as one of its many highlights – as well as praising outstanding schools in the area, its multicultural food scene and Walthamstow Wetlands.

Also assessed was local air quality, transport links, green spaces, high streets and community spirit.

In a statement, they said: “The judges were impressed by its outstanding primary and secondary schools and Walthamstow’s blend of old-school East London and something more modern. 

“Manze, a traditional pie and mash shop, has recently morphed into a cocktail bar by night called the Jellied Eel. (It has been closed during Covid, but they still deliver bottled cocktails locally). 

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“They also liked its multicultural food scene – including Etles, London’s first Uyghur restaurant, and Mini Hiba, which serves Lebanese/Palestinian cuisine.” 

Hoe Street bakery Today Bread and Walthamstow Village’s family-run SPAR, Eat 17, also got a shout out from judges.

Muswell Hill, Nunhead, Primrose Hill and Winchmore Hill were also ranked highly – while Teddington in Richmond, South London, was voted London’s overall winner.

Of the six London locations mentioned on the list, Walthamstow was the least expensive in terms of average house prices.

Winner Teddington’s average house price was £685,000, compared to Walthamstow’s £475,000. Primrose Hill’s was £965,000, making it the most expensive London neighbourhood on the list.

The Times and Sunday Times’ property editor, Helen Davies, said the guide to the ‘best places to live’ had never been more important.

“The pandemic has taught us just how much we rely on our homes, our communities and our surroundings,” she said. “With working from home now common, it’s no surprise that many of us are reassessing our priorities and thinking hard about where we really want to live.  

“In London, the commerce and culture that brings life to the capital have been off the agenda this year. So instead of buzzy city-centre locations, our choices are all about working from home in leafy suburbs with immaculate parks, friendly local shops and close-knit communities.”  

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