History of South Chingford
and Chingford Mount
An early map of Chingford
South Chingford was a small hamlet consisting of farms and small holdings up to the end of the 19th century. With improved transport links by way of trams from Walthamstow that terminated at Chingford Mount around 1905, the population increased, and Chingford Mount developed into a shopping area in the mid 1930’s with the building of Albert Crescent, the cinema and shopping parades. It seems to have been settled in late Saxon times, although it was not until the Domesday survey of 1086 that we have real evidence of its existence. There were perhaps only 200 people mostly serving the two Manors, St Pauls and Robert Gurnons and they subsisted by a simple form of agriculture.
The community continued under the manorial system until its final demise in the nineteenth century, being little more than a small village until after the railway came in 1873. This brought many visitors from the East End of London in order to enjoy the delights of Epping Forest on our northern borders, followed by those moving to the town where commuting to the city became easy. From that time on the pace of change in Chingford accelerated, the lands and the farms of the old manors were sold off for housing and shops leaving the current beautiful main green space, Larkswood and Ridgeway Park and of course the jewel that is Epping Forest.
Trams were once common journeying up from Walthamstow and terminating at Chingford Mount.
Photo c1905
All Saints Church (The Old Church), dates back to the 1300s
Sketches predating of the church that predate photography
Before and After
Trant & Grundy opposite Albert Crescent and looking south c1925
The same view in 2021
We wanted to highlight some of the treasures of South Chingford some of which are lost but have shaped the history and some of which still adorn the town centre, a library of images are below. The town centre today is bookended by the Memorial Park and famous Chingford Mount Cemetery running from Chingford Mount Road to Old Church Road. With many of the buildings erected in the 1930’s and you’ll still see the art deco historic motifs dotted around the high street above retail units and on the main clock tower in Albert Crescent. Sadly the impressive Chingford Odeon cinema, an original Oscar Deutsch building designed by Andrew Mather and opened in September 1935, was demolished in 1972 to make way for a supermarket. The nostalgia for this local masterpiece is still very much felt and the pride for Chingford Mount’s historical references.
The view over Albert Crescent, Chingford Mount c1950s
View towards Albert Crescent 1950s
The Odeon cinema c1950s
Tram terminus c1905
Before and After
Chingford Mount towards The Mount c1920
The same view in 2021
Albert Crescent continues to be at the town centre’s heart providing a vibrant and spacious public space for the community. Waltham Forest invested £750,000 in public realm and building refurbishment at Albert Crescent in 2013 and we are now working with local groups to identify opportunities for further improvements for shops, businesses and to public space to increase activity in one of the borough’s largest district centres. There are further opportunities for investment and development in Chingford Mount. For more information on please visit here.
Please also visit our Treasures of Chingford Mount interactive map and trail for more information on Chingford Mount’s notable and interesting landmarks, historical assets and public realm.
Before and After
Albert Crescent and the bus terminal c1950s
The same view in 2021