London Borough of Culture

The creativity and history at the heart of Waltham Forest's local community

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Welcome to the Forest

Bringing local stories to life

Where is Waltham Forest?

From William Morris to the Wetlands: A Tour of Walthamstow

Did you know that one of the world's most acclaimed movie directors was born in Leytonstone?

Where is Waltham Forest?

Out of the Concrete Jungle and into Waltham Forest

Ever wondered where London's tap water comes from?

What is the London Borough of Culture?

How London came to celebrate its different areas for their art and culture

Read the story

Did you know... The Andrex puppy is named for St Andrews Road in Walthamstow, where two-ply toilet paper was invented

Eels and wheels

The innovations that the borough has brought to the world

A Brief History of Waltham Forest by Local Author Lindsay Collier

From Roman Roads to the coming of the railway

Where the Wheels on the Bus Started Going Round

How Waltham Forest is the home of British transport

Keeping it Eel

The history of East London’s oldest remaining Eel, Pie & Mash shop

Big names from the neighbourhood

The beating heart of the borough

The Revolutionary Vision of William Morris

The well-known prints of Walthamstow's most famous artistic resident

Stay Another Day

25 years of East 17, the band behind the classic Christmas number 1

Zoom into Grayson Perry's 'Walthamstow Tapestry'

Explore the artwork made in his Waltham Forest studio

Waltham Forest's Famous Figures

Born, bred, and brilliant

Did you know... Waltham Forest is one of the most diverse areas in the UK. 48% of residents come from a minority ethnic background.

How the locals live it up

The celebration of the year with Waltham Forest's residents

Atomic 50: Time Travels in Tin

Getting to grips with the gritty act of putting stuff together at Blackhorse Workshop

Celebrating Community at Chingford May Day Fayre

From ballet on bicycles to a big community bonfire

From Page to Pavement: Grandad's Island

Bringing the beloved story to life with songs, soundscapes - and snakes

Forest Uprising: The Finale

Ending the celebration on a high

Rainbow baked beans and neon altars

A jam-packed month of art

Watch

3 Art Night Artists and Their Works

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Artworks in Unexpected Places

The art events taking you on a colorful journey around the borough

Meet Waltham Forest-based Artist Emma Talbot

Hear about her Art Night piece inspired by psychic artist Madge Gill - whose drawing was 'guided by spirits'

Did you know... Waltham Forest is the home of a number of successful bands, including Iron Maiden, East 17 and Blazin’ Squad

All singing, all dancing

Performing arts across genres and generations

Roger Ascham: Dancers in Residence

Showtime for students at Roger Ascham Primary School

Africa Express: The Circus

A collective of African and Western artists come together for a celebration of unity

EastSide Story

When young people from neighbouring estates came together to create an original piece of theatre

Words from Waltham Forest

Read prose inspired by the seasons and zoom into the illustrations

Bishop of the Bluebells

A story written and read by Kaliane Bradley, illustrated by Rashmi Gunathilaka

if still forest (winter)

A story by Pratyusha, illustrated by Thai Hoang

The Garden

A story by Zahrah Vawda, illustrated by Pegah Gashtasbi

Change the Channel

A story by Mohammed Zaahidur Rahman, illustrated by Christina Marshall

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