We’ve been thinking about all the areas of London we know well and love working in and what makes them unique and today it’s the turn of Wanstead.
- Despite it’s proximity to central London, it has a real villagey vibe, with the Green running along the Wanstead end of the high street and a copse along the Snaresbrook end. It’s pretty flowerbeds and other community gardens are lovingly tended by an amazing volunteer gardening group “Wanstead Community Gardeners”
- The cafes – amazing cafes and bakeries, with not just a Costa and a Gail’s, but some really special independents in the newly extended and very child friendly Larder, Bare Brew and La Bakerie (we think the last is the best option for a traditional baguette)
- Community – Wanstead has one of the strongest and kindest communities we’ve ever come across. A community that unfailing pulls together to support local causes. Local group ‘Feet on the Streets’ that (assists homeless people) and the brilliant Women in Need London (supporting women and children who’ve fled domestic violence) have both received amazing support and donations from the local community. Even the children’s playpark was refurbished by funds raised by a group of determined local mums.
- The transport links are brilliant as it sits on the central line just 3 stops away from Stratford. It also sits very close to the A12, the M11 and the A406.
- Green space – not only is it the greenest and prettiest high street in East London, it’s also very close to Wanstead Park with it’s ornamental lakes and quaint tea-hut, a stones throw from the sprawling Wanstead Flats and a few stops away from the Queen Elizabeth Park (aka the Olympic park).
- The pubs – mostly child and dog friendly, with cozy fires in the winter, outside space in the Summer and really decent food, we especially love The Duke, The Manor House and The Nightingale. (We can also sometimes be partial to a sneaky Wetherspoons breakfast in The George.)
- Shops -there are actually some great independent shops in Wanstead, clothes, gifts, flowers, cards, there’s an independent shop here that caters for most things. The chemist is worth a special mention, always so helpful and kind with lots of good medical advice.
- We’re going out on a limb with this one, but estate agents and hairdressers. Controversial, as you can hear the groan on every high street in Britain as yet another opens, but the hairdressers and the estate agents here are actually run by some pretty nice people. Some of the local estate agents sponsor local school and church events and are really generous with their donations.
- Restaurants – not only does Wanstead benefit from some really good pubs, but it also has some great restaurants: Provender, Luppolo, Filika and Bombetta amongst them.
- Sport! If you’re sporty then consider Wanstead the place for you. It is has it’s own very welcoming cricket and rugby clubs (with cheap booze), tennis club and even a gym. There are mummy boot camps and running clubs, something for everyone who owns a pair of trainers.
What have we forgotten?