Woodford Green
Encyclopedia
Woodford Green, formerly in the county of Essex
, is part of the North East London
suburb of Woodford, on the edge of Epping Forest
, mostly within the London Borough of Redbridge
with a small part on the western side of the green within the London Borough of Waltham Forest
(this area is known as Woodford Side).
and Woodford Bridge
.
(GER) line to Loughton
(and later Ongar) was opened in 1856 and with it Woodford station
. This led to the construction of many houses in the area, some of which were the grand houses of successful London merchants and bankers. The higher quality housing constructed in the area was due to the "fare-policy" of the GER, which kept the fares on the Loughton Branch higher than on the comparable Enfield and Walthamstow
branches, where a "low-fare policy" was pursued. Further estates were built from the late 1920s onwards until the 1950s, covering most of the land still available for building.
The former GER Ongar branch became part of the London and North Eastern Railway
in 1923, and later part of London Transport
's Central Line
, with the section through Woodford opening in 1947. As part of the electrification of the Loughton & Ongar branch and subsequent takeover by London Transport, the level-crossing at Woodford station (and with it Snakes Lane) was closed, being replaced in 1947 by a re-aligned Broadmead Road with a viaduct over the railway.
, leader of the Conservative Party
from 2001 to 2003, and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions since 2010. Duncan Smith is a successor of Sir Winston Churchill
, who was also MP for this area and is commemorated by a statue on Woodford Green erected in 1959.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Clement Attlee
, later Labour
Prime Minister
from 1945 to 1951, had a residence in Woodford Green, the seat of his political adversary, Winston Churchill. A blue plaque to that effect resides on Attlee's former house in Monkhams Avenue.
Sylvia Pankhurst
lived in Woodford Green from 1924 to 1956, originally in the High Road, and from 1933 in Charteris Road. In 1935, Pankhurst commissioned and dedicated a memorial in Woodford High Road to the victims of Italian
aerial bombing
in Ethiopia
.
The A104 runs through Woodford Green and forms its High Street while Chigwell Road, the A113, runs along the east side with Broadmead Road connecting the two. Woodford Green is served by Woodford tube station
.
Various London Buses
routes also connect Woodford Green with nearby major towns:
Nearest places
The nearest London Underground stations are Woodford
, South Woodford
and Roding Valley
on the Central Line
.
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, is part of the North East London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
suburb of Woodford, on the edge of Epping Forest
Epping Forest
Epping Forest is an area of ancient woodland in south-east England, straddling the border between north-east Greater London and Essex. It is a former royal forest, and is managed by the City of London Corporation....
, mostly within the London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
with a small part on the western side of the green within the London Borough of Waltham Forest
London Borough of Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is in northeast London, England. Officially, it forms part of Outer London as it borders Essex. However, it can be seen that the NE London boundary does not extend far compared to elsewhere in the city...
(this area is known as Woodford Side).
History
Woodford Green is part of Woodford, which includes areas such as Woodford WellsWoodford Wells
Woodford Wells is an old hamlet now part of the northern suburbs of London, England in the district of Woodford, about north of Woodford Green and on the edge of Epping Forest. The name is first shown on a map in 1805, and refers to mineral water wells...
and Woodford Bridge
Woodford Bridge
Woodford Bridge is a suburb of north-east London, England in the London Borough of Redbridge. It includes Monkhams. It is on an old road between Chigwell and Leytonstone....
.
Railways
The Great Eastern RailwayGreat Eastern Railway
The Great Eastern Railway was a pre-grouping British railway company, whose main line linked London Liverpool Street to Norwich and which had other lines through East Anglia...
(GER) line to Loughton
Loughton
Loughton is a town and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It is located between 11 and 13 miles north east of Charing Cross in London, south of the M25 and west of the M11 motorway and has boundaries with Chingford, Waltham Abbey, Theydon Bois, Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill...
(and later Ongar) was opened in 1856 and with it Woodford station
Woodford tube station
Woodford is a London Underground station in Woodford in the London Borough of Redbridge, United Kingdom.The station is on the Central Line between South Woodford and Buckhurst Hill. The station is also a terminus for services via the Hainault loop....
. This led to the construction of many houses in the area, some of which were the grand houses of successful London merchants and bankers. The higher quality housing constructed in the area was due to the "fare-policy" of the GER, which kept the fares on the Loughton Branch higher than on the comparable Enfield and Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
branches, where a "low-fare policy" was pursued. Further estates were built from the late 1920s onwards until the 1950s, covering most of the land still available for building.
The former GER Ongar branch became part of the London and North Eastern Railway
London and North Eastern Railway
The London and North Eastern Railway was the second-largest of the "Big Four" railway companies created by the Railways Act 1921 in Britain...
in 1923, and later part of London Transport
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
's Central Line
Central Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
, with the section through Woodford opening in 1947. As part of the electrification of the Loughton & Ongar branch and subsequent takeover by London Transport, the level-crossing at Woodford station (and with it Snakes Lane) was closed, being replaced in 1947 by a re-aligned Broadmead Road with a viaduct over the railway.
Politics
Woodford Green is part of the parliamentary constituency of Chingford and Woodford Green, represented by Iain Duncan SmithIain Duncan Smith
George Iain Duncan Smith is a British Conservative politician. He is currently the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and was previously leader of the Conservative Party from September 2001 to October 2003...
, leader of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
from 2001 to 2003, and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions since 2010. Duncan Smith is a successor of Sir Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, who was also MP for this area and is commemorated by a statue on Woodford Green erected in 1959.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
, later Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
from 1945 to 1951, had a residence in Woodford Green, the seat of his political adversary, Winston Churchill. A blue plaque to that effect resides on Attlee's former house in Monkhams Avenue.
Sylvia Pankhurst
Sylvia Pankhurst
Estelle Sylvia Pankhurst was an English campaigner for the suffragist movement in the United Kingdom. She was for a time a prominent left communist who then devoted herself to the cause of anti-fascism.-Early life:...
lived in Woodford Green from 1924 to 1956, originally in the High Road, and from 1933 in Charteris Road. In 1935, Pankhurst commissioned and dedicated a memorial in Woodford High Road to the victims of Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
aerial bombing
Strategic bombing
Strategic bombing is a military strategy used in a total war with the goal of defeating an enemy nation-state by destroying its economic ability and public will to wage war rather than destroying its land or naval forces...
in Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
.
Primary schools
- Avon House School
- Bancroft's Preparatory SchoolBancroft's SchoolBancroft's School is a co-educational independent school in Woodford Green, London. The school has around 1,000 pupils aged between 7 and 18...
- Ray Lodge Primary School
- St Antony's Catholic Primary School
- St Aubyn's SchoolSt Aubyn's SchoolSt Aubyn's School is a co-educational, independent, preparatory school, situated in Woodford Green, England, with around 500 pupils aged between 3 and 13.-History:...
- Woodford Green Preparatory SchoolWoodford Green Preparatory SchoolWoodford Green Preparatory School is a preparatory school in Woodford Green, Essex. It is known locally as The Red School due to the distinctive red uniforms its pupils wear. It was founded in 1932 to provide a non-denominational Christian education for boys and girls. The first headmistress was...
- Wells Primary School
- [Woodford Green Primary]http://www.woodfordgreenprimary.co.uk
- St. Joseph's convent school
Secondary schools
- Bancroft's SchoolBancroft's SchoolBancroft's School is a co-educational independent school in Woodford Green, London. The school has around 1,000 pupils aged between 7 and 18...
, Woodford Green, (Independent) - Trinity Catholic High SchoolTrinity Catholic High School, Woodford GreenTrinity Catholic High School is a co-educational, Catholic comprehensive school located in Woodford Green, Greater London, England. It is split between two sites, with years 7-9 on the Lower Site, Sydney Road, and years 10-13 on Upper Site, Mornington Road. There are approximately 1750 pupils, with...
- Woodbridge High SchoolWoodbridge High School (London)Woodbridge High School is a co-educational secondary school located in Woodford Green in the London Borough of Redbridge. It is designated as a Specialist Language College....
- Woodford County High School for Girls
Notable people
- Clement AttleeClement AttleeClement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
, Labour Prime MinisterPrime Minister of the United KingdomThe Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and... - Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, Prime MinisterPrime Minister of the United KingdomThe Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and... - James HiltonJames HiltonJames Hilton was an English novelist who wrote several best-sellers, including Lost Horizon and Goodbye, Mr. Chips.-Biography:...
, author - Stuart KuttnerStuart KuttnerStuart Kuttner is a former newspaper editor. He worked as the news editor for the London Evening Standard before joining the News of the World newspaper in 1980 first as a deputy editor, then as managing editor. He held the position for 22 years before stepping down from his post in 2009 and...
, managing editor of the News of the WorldNews of the WorldThe News of the World was a national red top newspaper published in the United Kingdom from 1843 to 2011. It was at one time the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, and at closure still had one of the highest English language circulations... - Louisa LeamanLouisa LeamanLouisa Leaman is a writer and behaviour expert based in London UK.In 2004 she won a writing competition in the Times Educational Supplement. This led to a publishing deal with Continuum International Publishing. She has since had five books published...
, author - Kele OkerekeKele OkerekeKelechukwu "Kele" Rowland Okereke is a British musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the indie rock band Bloc Party.-Early life:...
, Bloc PartyBloc PartyBloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
musician - Sylvia PankhurstSylvia PankhurstEstelle Sylvia Pankhurst was an English campaigner for the suffragist movement in the United Kingdom. She was for a time a prominent left communist who then devoted herself to the cause of anti-fascism.-Early life:...
, suffragetteSuffragette"Suffragette" is a term coined by the Daily Mail newspaper as a derogatory label for members of the late 19th and early 20th century movement for women's suffrage in the United Kingdom, in particular members of the Women's Social and Political Union... - Tony RobinsonTony RobinsonTony Robinson is an English actor, comedian, author, broadcaster and political campaigner. He is best known for playing Baldrick in the BBC television series Blackadder, and for hosting Channel 4 programmes such as Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History. Robinson is a member of the Labour Party...
, actor and TV personality - Kate Williams, actress, Woodford resident during the making of the TV series Love Thy NeighbourLove Thy NeighbourLove Thy Neighbour was a popular British sitcom, which was aired from 13 April 1972, until 22 January 1976, spanning seven series. The sitcom was produced by Thames Television and broadcast by ITV. The main cast included Jack Smethurst, Rudolph Walker, Nina Baden-Semper and Kate Williams...
Transport and locale
Roads and busesThe A104 runs through Woodford Green and forms its High Street while Chigwell Road, the A113, runs along the east side with Broadmead Road connecting the two. Woodford Green is served by Woodford tube station
Woodford tube station
Woodford is a London Underground station in Woodford in the London Borough of Redbridge, United Kingdom.The station is on the Central Line between South Woodford and Buckhurst Hill. The station is also a terminus for services via the Hainault loop....
.
Various London Buses
London Buses
London Buses is the subsidiary of Transport for London that manages bus services within Greater London, UK. Buses are required to carry similar red colour schemes and conform to the same fare scheme...
routes also connect Woodford Green with nearby major towns:
| Route Number | Route | Serving in Woodford Green | Operator |
| 20 London Buses route 20 London Buses route 20 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Arriva London.-History:... |
Walthamstow Central Station Walthamstow Central station Walthamstow Central is a London Underground and commuter rail station. It is the terminus of the Victoria line, and is on the branch of the London commuter rail network operated by National Express East Anglia... to Debden Broadway Debden tube station Debden is a London Underground station on the Central Line in Debden, in the Epping Forest district of Essex. The station is between Loughton and Theydon Bois... via Whipps Cross Whipps Cross Whipps Cross is an area of the London Borough of Waltham Forest in London, England. It is most famous for Whipps Cross University Hospital.-The environs:... , Loughton Loughton Loughton is a town and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It is located between 11 and 13 miles north east of Charing Cross in London, south of the M25 and west of the M11 motorway and has boundaries with Chingford, Waltham Abbey, Theydon Bois, Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill... |
Woodford New Road, High Road (The Green) | Arriva London Arriva London Arriva London is a division of Arriva which operates bus services in London, UK. It is made up of many previous bus operators including previously independent Grey Green... |
| 179 | Chingford Station Chingford railway station Chingford Station stands on the edge of Epping Forest, and serves the suburb of Chingford in North-east London.- History :The Eastern Counties Railway had begun its venture into a main line railway that would head north to compete with the Great Northern... to Ilford High Street Ilford Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail... via South Woodford South Woodford South Woodford is a suburb of north-east London in the London Borough of Redbridge, situated north-east of Charing Cross. Together with Woodford Green, Woodford Bridge and Woodford Wells it forms the area known as Woodford, the origins of which date back at least to the Saxon period... |
Whitehall Road, High Road (The Green), High Road Woodford Green | First London First London .First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London... |
| 275 | Walthamstow St James Street Station St James Street railway station St James Street railway station is in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in north east London, and is in Travelcard Zone 3, on the Chingford branch of the Lea Valley Lines. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by National Express East Anglia.... to Barkingside Tesco Barkingside Barkingside is a district of Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge, northeast London. It is a suburban development.It is also the place in which Barkingside FC play their home games at Oakside stadium in Station Road.... via Highams Park Highams Park Highams Park is a district in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, England, adjacent to Epping Forest. The forest at Highams Park contains a boating lake formed by Humphry Repton after damming the River Ching. There are parks and basic shopping facilities such as Budgens, but no major supermarket... , Woodford |
Chingford Lane, Broadmead Road, Woodford Station | Arriva London Arriva London Arriva London is a division of Arriva which operates bus services in London, UK. It is made up of many previous bus operators including previously independent Grey Green... |
| 397 | South Chingford Sainsbury's Chingford Chingford is a district of north east London, bordering on Enfield and Edmonton to the west, Woodford to the east, Walthamstow and Stratford to the south and Essex to the north. It is situated northeast of Charing Cross and forms part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest... to Debden Broadway Debden, Epping Forest Debden is a suburb of the town of Loughton, in the Epping Forest district of Essex, England. It takes its name from the ancient manor of Debden, which lay at its northern end. The area is predominantly residential, but is also the location of Epping Forest College, East 15 Acting School and the De... via Chingford Chingford Chingford is a district of north east London, bordering on Enfield and Edmonton to the west, Woodford to the east, Walthamstow and Stratford to the south and Essex to the north. It is situated northeast of Charing Cross and forms part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest... , Loughton Loughton Loughton is a town and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It is located between 11 and 13 miles north east of Charing Cross in London, south of the M25 and west of the M11 motorway and has boundaries with Chingford, Waltham Abbey, Theydon Bois, Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill... |
Whitehall Road | Arriva London Arriva London Arriva London is a division of Arriva which operates bus services in London, UK. It is made up of many previous bus operators including previously independent Grey Green... |
| W13 | Woodford Wells Horse & Well to Leytonstone Station Leytonstone tube station Leytonstone tube station is on the Central Line of the London Underground, on the boundary of Zones 3 and 4. Towards London the next station is Leyton, while going east from Leytonstone, the line divides into two branches... via Wanstead Wanstead Wanstead is a suburban area in the London Borough of Redbridge, North-East London. The main road going through Wanstead is the A12. The name is from the Anglo-Saxon words wænn and stede, meaning "settlement on a small hill".... |
High Road (The Green), High Road Woodford Green | CT Plus (See route N55 for a night service) |
| N55 Night Bus | Woodford Wells Horse & Well to Oxford Circus Oxford Circus Oxford Circus is the area of London at the busy intersection of Regent Street and Oxford Street, in the West End. It is served by Oxford Circus tube station, which is directly beneath the junction itself.- History :... via Leytonstone Leytonstone Leytonstone is an area of east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is a high density suburban area, located seven miles north east of Charing Cross in the ceremonial county of Greater London and the historic county of Essex... |
High Road (The Green), High Road Woodford Green | East London East London (bus company) East London is one of many operators of bus services contracted to Transport for London, mainly in the east of the city. Its legal name is East London Bus & Coach Company Ltd, and it is currently owned largely by Stagecoach Group, as part of Stagecoach London.-History:East London was established in... |
Nearest places
- ChingfordChingfordChingford is a district of north east London, bordering on Enfield and Edmonton to the west, Woodford to the east, Walthamstow and Stratford to the south and Essex to the north. It is situated northeast of Charing Cross and forms part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest...
- South WoodfordSouth WoodfordSouth Woodford is a suburb of north-east London in the London Borough of Redbridge, situated north-east of Charing Cross. Together with Woodford Green, Woodford Bridge and Woodford Wells it forms the area known as Woodford, the origins of which date back at least to the Saxon period...
- Woodford BridgeWoodford BridgeWoodford Bridge is a suburb of north-east London, England in the London Borough of Redbridge. It includes Monkhams. It is on an old road between Chigwell and Leytonstone....
- Buckhurst HillBuckhurst HillBuckhurst Hill is an affluent suburban town in the Epping Forest district of Essex, England. Located adjacent to the northern boundary of Greater London, it forms part of the Greater London Urban Area.- Overview :...
- LoughtonLoughtonLoughton is a town and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It is located between 11 and 13 miles north east of Charing Cross in London, south of the M25 and west of the M11 motorway and has boundaries with Chingford, Waltham Abbey, Theydon Bois, Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill...
- Highams ParkHighams ParkHighams Park is a district in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, England, adjacent to Epping Forest. The forest at Highams Park contains a boating lake formed by Humphry Repton after damming the River Ching. There are parks and basic shopping facilities such as Budgens, but no major supermarket...
- ClayhallClayhallClayhall is a district of Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge in north east London, England. It is a suburban development. The name is derived from an old manor house that stood within the current area...
The nearest London Underground stations are Woodford
Woodford tube station
Woodford is a London Underground station in Woodford in the London Borough of Redbridge, United Kingdom.The station is on the Central Line between South Woodford and Buckhurst Hill. The station is also a terminus for services via the Hainault loop....
, South Woodford
South Woodford tube station
South Woodford tube station is a London Underground station on the Central Line, between Snaresbrook and Woodford in Zone 4.-History:The station opened as South Woodford on 22 August 1856 as part of the Eastern Counties Railway branch to Loughton, which was eventually extended to Epping and...
and Roding Valley
Roding Valley tube station
Roding Valley is a London Underground station situated in Buckhurst Hill in the Epping Forest district of Essex immediately to the north of the border with Woodford in the London Borough of Redbridge. The station is between Chigwell and Woodford stations, on the Central Line. It is located in...
on the Central Line
Central Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
.