Living in Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey is a traditional market town situated within a stone’s throw of Epping Forest in Essex. Boasting an impressive church and abbey at its centre, the town is located 15 miles northeast of central London and attracts visitors throughout the year due to its rich history, natural beauty and community-centric village ambience.
Did You Know?
- David Beckham is a regular at Tony’s Pie & Mash in Market Square
- Waltham Abbey takes its name from the Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross, an ancient yet important monument in the town’s long and colourful history
- The town sits on the Greenwich Meridian line
Why Waltham Abbey?
With an exceptional variety of independent shops, Waltham Abbey also offers beautiful green spaces steeped in serenity such as the Dragonfly Sanctuary and the adjacent woodland areas. Amidst the serene countryside of Essex and only a short train journey away from central London, residents enjoy the best of both worlds.
With an excellent selection of schools and a bustling local economy offering a variety of produce, dining out and activities to interest everyone, Waltham Abbey combines peaceful surroundings with the vitality of small-town life.
Architecture & Property
Waltham Abbey is a historic market town undergoing significant regeneration and development. You’ll find a combination of period country houses, town-centre cottages and Victorian properties as well as a unique blend of quaint bungalows, modern detached homes, semi-detached properties and terraces. The ongoing investment in the area reflects Waltham Abbey’s growing appeal as a residential location combining heritage charm with contemporary living.
Going Out
Residents and visitors alike are spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying an evening out. Waltham Abbey boasts a variety of restaurants and cafes offering both traditional British cuisine and international fare. There are three wonderful 16th-century pubs in the main square. In fact, Waltham Abbey once held a Guinness World Record for the most pubs per square mile.
The Maze Restobar is a popular Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant located in Market Square, housed in an iconic listed building in the heart of the town. It also boasts plenty of pubs, including the atmospheric The Sun, The Angel and The Queens Arms.
Local Amenities
- In Market Square, you’ll find The White Witch, a witchy store which describes itself as “the number one shop for every witch, Wiccan, pagan, druid and occultist”.
- There are several large national and international supermarkets nearby, including a Tesco and a Lidl. There’s also a TK Maxx at Highbridge Retail Park nearby, as well as a Pavilions Shopping Centre and Fishpools Furniture Store in Waltham Cross
- Sun Street really does live up to its name. It’s fully pedestrianised with a bustling, happy vibe, boasting restaurants, cafes, a small local supermarket and an independent butcher.
- The Market Square has two markets a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, a favourite for residents and visitors alike.
Green Spaces
Waltham Abbey is on the edge of a rural area, with Epping Forest to the east and the rivers, streams and canals of the glorious Lee Valley Regional Park to the west. There are also the Abbey Gardens and Cornmill Meadows in Waltham Abbey, which serve as a sanctuary for dragonflies and damselflies.
Education
Comprehensive schools can be found in the surrounding towns of Waltham Cross and Enfield.
Lea Valley High, located in Bullsmoor Lane in Enfield, is a co-ed school educating students from age 11-18 with a good Ofsted rating.
St Mary’s, located in Lieutenant Ellis Way in Waltham Cross, and Bishop Stopford’s School, located in Brick Lane in Enfield, both provide secondary education for the area.
Ark John Keats Academy is a Free School which opened in September 2013. An all-through co-ed academy educating children from age 3-18, it was rated Good across all areas in its most recent Ofsted inspection and is considered one of the best schools in the area. The academy provides a complete educational journey from nursery through to sixth form.
Transport Links
Trains
Trains from nearby Waltham Cross station take approximately 30 minutes to reach Liverpool Street, with services running hourly throughout the day. The station is in London fare zone 7. Some commuters change at Tottenham Hale to access the Underground network. Central Line Tube services are also available from nearby Loughton.
Buses
Waltham Abbey is well connected with buses running frequently to and from central London as well as across the northern areas of the city. Available bus routes include the 250, 251, 505, 66, 211 and numerous other services linking the town to surrounding areas and central London.