In the mid-19th century Walthamstow was described as `the largest and handsomest suburban village near the metropolis'. Bordered by the river Lea on the west and Epping Forest on the east, it had many fine villas and notable residents. But the railway and the industrial development of the Lea Valley soon changed all that. Houses and residents multiplied rapidly in an uncontrolled sprawl, consolidating the prosperity of the mile-long Walthamstow Market. This very readable account includes many fine illustrations, particularly watercolours, never previously published.
245 x 185mm (hardback with 155 illustrations) 160 pages
Published 2001