Leyton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leyton is an area of East London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is a high density suburban area, located 6.2 miles (10 km) north east of Charing Cross. It borders Walthamstow, Leytonstone, Stratford, Hackney and Clapton areas.
Contents |
[edit] History and features
[edit] History and geography
Leyton means "Town on the River Ley" and is at the heart of the Lea Valley. The name 'Leyton' has been used since the 9th century. Leyton is situated on the Prime Meridian and is less than 1 mile east of the site of the 2012 Olympic Park. Leyton Orient Football Club is also based here. The area is made up largely of terraced housing. Many high rise council estates that dominated the skyline have been demolished over the past 15 years.
Leyton was historically part of Essex and formed an urban district of that county from 1894. It gained the status of municipal borough in 1926. In 1965 the Municipal Borough of Leyton was abolished and its former area transferred to Greater London to be combined with that of other districts to form the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
The main route through the town is the High Road, which forms part of the ancient route to Waltham Abbey. At the top end of the High Road is a crossroads with Lea Bridge Road and Hoe Street. This junction and the surrounding district is known as Baker's Arms, named after the public house which still stands at the spot.
During World War II, Leyton suffered as a target because of its proximity to Temple Mills Yard. The yard is now reduced in size as part of it has become a retail park 'Leyton Mills', whilst the rest has been renovated to serve as a depot for high speed trains.
[edit] Community and facilities
The area is one of the most multi-cultural parts of London and Britain. The 2001 Census revealed a very mixed population; approximately 50 per cent White, 23 per cent Black and 21 per cent south Asian [1](Leyton covers several wards so precise figures are unavailable). Within these groups there are many people whose origins are from Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, Ireland, Cyprus, Italy and newer arrivals from South Africa, Bosnia, Serbia and Poland.
The New Spitalfields Market relocated in 1991 from the Old Spitalfields market, is the UK's leading horticultural market specialising in exotic fruit and vegetables.
There are 2 main shopping areas in the town, located at opposite ends of the High Road. A new retail park is to be found at Leyton Mills. This has a large Asda store, a B&Q store and a selection of furniture and electrical stores. At the north end of the town, Baker's Arms has a more traditional selection of shops lining Lea Bridge Road and the High Road, including a Woolworths and a Tesco.
There are numerous pubs and a few bars situated on the High Road. The local police station is based on Francis Road, which also has two primary schools and a mini supermarket.
Large scale redevelopment and inner city regeneration has been underway in Leyton for many years, as is also the case in the neighbouring areas of Hackney, Clapton and Stratford. High-rise estates which were amongst Britain's poorest[citation needed] (e.g. the Oliver Close Estate and the Cathall Road estate) have been completely redeveloped by demolition and rebuilding with the help of the multi-million pound Waltham Forest Housing Action Trust scheme. Other problematic areas such as the Avenue Road Estate have also been redeveloped over the past 10 years. The last large high-rise estate in the area, the Beaumont Road Estate (which is currently ranked as the fifth poorest housing estate in Britain[citation needed]), is now also beginning to be demolished and redeveloped.
[edit] Sports
In 1886 a pavilion was built at Leyton Cricket Ground, becoming the headquarters of Essex County Cricket Club until 1933, however Essex continued to play at Leyton until 1977. The pavilion still stands today and is used as a sports ground by local schools,and as a boxing club.
The town is the home to two association football (soccer) clubs; Leyton Orient F.C. and Leyton F.C.. Leyton Orient F.C. play in Football League One, and their home games occur at the Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road. The stadium has recently been re-constructed, including improved terraces and some residential property.
Leyton F.C. are in the Isthmian League Premier Division, and play at the Leyton Stadium.
[edit] Community
- Beaumont Road
- Oliver Close
- Leyton Grange
- Temple Mills
- Leyton Green
- Lea Bridge
[edit] Transport
The town of Leyton is served by the Central Line of London Underground, with a station located at the southern end of the High Road.
There is a station at Midland Road on the Gospel Oak to Barking line. The town is well-served by buses, with 24 hour services running along the High Road and Lea Bridge Road.
[edit] Nearest tube stations
[edit] Nearest railway stations
- Forest Gate railway station
- Leytonstone High Road railway station
- Leyton Midland Road railway station
