Hotel in Walthamstow, London

The E17 postcode giving name to Walthamstows most famous cultural export, 90s popsters East 17, this is a very urban district of north east London with some delightful hidden corners. It’s a town sandwiched between the expanses of Epping Forest – where Greater London gets very green as it reaches out to Essex – and Tottenham, one of the toughest areas north of the river, and there’s echoes of each around Walthamstow.

Set around a long High Street with a near-constant market (every day but Sun-Mon), there’s a lot of shops, mostly downmarket, but with a few interesting small cafes and Turkish, North African and Italian restaurants. There’s quite a buzzing artistic community in the area, and a newcomer to the area, Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub (58 Hoe Street, 020 8509 3880, http://www.roseandcrowntheatrepub.webeden.co.uk is the centre of much of this side of Walthamstow. Family-friendly with excellent guest ales, the bar’s grand piano is manned by some hugely talented cabaret singers on open mic nights and the two theatre spaces host regular musicals, exhibitions and poetry evenings.

London is often described as a city of villages, and Walthamstow has one of the best – indeed, the area around St Marys Church was voted the citys finest ‘urban village’ by local listings bible Time Out in 2004. This conservation area is filled with picturesque relics of the area’s rural past, most noticeably the timber-framed Ancient House.

Head out into Woodford for a more countryside feel, including the walker’s delights of Epping Forest and some excellent golf courses; or, the Victoria Line connects fast to Highbury & Islington, home of outstanding restaurants and vibrant nightlife around Upper Street and Angel.

Sadly one famous local landmark, the Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium, closed in 2008, so a night at this legendary dog track is consigned to London’s history.

Walthamstow Central Station is served by the Victoria Line and overground rail services, and Walthamstow Queen’s Road is close by.

Walthamstow: Tube (underground)

Walthamstow: Rail (overground)