Location

Walthamstow village today
Maps and aerial views
Walthamstow Village History

Wilcumestowe

Walthamstow village is centred around St.Mary's Church

Walthamstow was first  recorded c. 1075 as Wilcumestowe - "Welcome place"  and in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Wilcumestou. 
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The original Saxon village is believed to have been situated in Shernhall Street, where there was a stream. Later the village developed around the church, the manor house and the inn. South westwards from the crossroads by the church were the grasslands of the Church common called 'Berryfields', where the railway line now passes through and Orford Road is located. The arrival of the Great Eastern railway in 1869/70 accelerated the already rapid urbanisation of the areas as fields, commons and the grounds of the great houses were transformed into the terraced streets of Walthamstow that we know today.

St. Mary's Church

A timber church probably existed on the site in Saxon times but the first flint building was erected in the 12th century by the Lord of the manor, Ralph de Toni, who was the son of William the Conqueror's standard bearer.The building has been much altered and extended over the centuries.

The Ancient House

The timber framed 'Ancient House' was built on the site of the earlier Toni Manor House. During the 19th century shop fronts were added - initially as a greengrocer and a drapers, and later as a cobbler's shop and a florist.  After this, in the 1890's, it was used as a cycle shop and tea rooms for many years. The house was restored in 1934 by Fullers the builders and again in 2002. 

Vestry House

Vestry House was erected as a workhouse in 1730, and has been extended further over the years. It has been used as a police station, armoury, builders yard, private house and is currently a museum.
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Old Town Hall

The original building was built in 1866 and used as a hall for public entertainment but 10 years later the current ornate frontage was added, and became the Town Hall. It continued as the Town Hall for 65 years, until in 1941 the new Town Hall in Forest Road was built.Since then the building has been used for various purposes, including  a food office, welfare centre, hospital and nursery.