Walthamstow Way - Artists, Markets and Murals Walking Tour

Your guide Sue Wheat will meet you at Wood Street station and take you along this three-quarter-mile stretch of road – which mostly dates from the nineteenth century.

We'll pass by independent shops, cafes, bars and street art on the way to Wood Street Indoor Market and the Georgian Market next door, both selling a rich array of pre-loved treasures and newly produced arts and crafts.

Chat with a DJ in their record shop, a Moroccan trader in his tiny and exquisite shop, or hear the creative story of an artist.

Wood Street is quieter than Walthamstow Central, with loads of character and talent to be inspired by, and a range of enterprising independent venues to spot and come back to.

Be prepared to enter the most exciting and colourful industrial estate in London!

It's home to God's Own Junkyard, which is a now world-renowned neon sign factory, bar-cafe and venue in the Ravenswood Industrial Estate next to Walthamstow Village which will take your breath away with its colour, artistry and energy!

Chock-a-block with beautiful neon signs, some from old films, many from old Soho, some made from scratch in their factory near Wood Street, this is a sight to behold - and take multiple photos in!

But you won't just be fired up by neon beauty, there's a gorgeous gin palace too next door - Mother's Ruin - where you'll see how they make gin in their beautiful distillery, as well as smell the hops and hear the story behind craft brewery Pillars Brewery opposite.

This is going to be the best car park you've ever visited!

From ancient architecture to modern artistry all about mothers...

Walk through Walthamstow Village, past its Tudor Ancient House - an amazing sight in London's East End - as well as St Mary's Church which, dating from the 12th Century is the oldest building in Walthamstow. The church has a beautifully tended biodiversity-rich graveyard that's so atmospheric its often used for film sets.

Then through the village's pedestrianised street of independent shops and pubs, including the most beautiful green grocers which is a work of edible art, to Beulah Road where we'll spend time in the cutest 'Garage Gallery'.

Here we'll meet artist Laura Villares-House who's curated a group exhibition 'The Making of Mothers' bringing together artists who create alongside, with, about and around motherhood.

The final stretch is a short distance from Walthamstow Village to Walthamstow Central at the top of Walthamstow's legendary once 'longest market in Europe', via street art, and beautifully renovated buildings.

The tour will stop at Walthamstow Central, but if you want to walk down the market to St James St station, and pick up some bargains, you can - it's about a 15 minute extra walk. Or you can return home from Walthamstow Central, by bus, train or underground.