Welcome to Wanstead

Wanstead is a suburban area in the London Borough of Redbridge. The name is from the Anglo-Saxon words wænn and stede, meaning "settlement on a small hill". Wanstead has a largely suburban feel, containing open grasslands such as Wanstead Flats, and the woodland of Wanstead Park (part of Epping Forest). A notable landmark towards the northern edge of Wanstead is the former Wanstead Hospital building, now a housing complex. Wanstead High Street is distinctive because of its many independent retailers, attracting shoppers from a wide area.

Entertainment & nightlife

There is a summer season of open-air theatre outside the Temple in Wanstead Park. The nearest multiplex cinema is the Odeon in South Woodford. The closest council-owned swimming pool is at the Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre in Barkingside, although there is a nearer pool in the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre at Forest School that is open to residents when the school isn’t using it. Wanstead Golf Club is in Overton Drive.

Best place for after work drinks

The Nightingale in Nightingale Lane is a little treasure. Beer is always served perfectly and the selection changes often. The vast menu full of pub comfort food presents excellent value for money and the real ale on tap is even better. 

Schools

Schools in Wanstead fall under the Redbridge Local Education Authority. Primary schools standout, as being particularly good, of note are the outstanding Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School and Nightingale Primary School.

Transport & Travel

The two London Underground stations - Wanstead on the Hainault loop of the Central line and Snaresbrook on the Epping branch of the same line, with 20-minute journey times to Bank and 28 minutes to Oxford Circus.

Wanstead            - Central line
Snaresbrook         -Central line