Situated comfortably in London’s east end, Forest Gate is tucked below the three hundred acres of Wanstead Flats, between Manor Park to the east and Stratford’s East to the west. The housing stock here is overwhelmingly Victorian – some terraces are simpler with others more elaborate, and the Woodgrange Estate southeast of Forest Gate station is an example of the neighbourhood’s signature detached properties. Forest Gate station takes commuters into Liverpool Street in only 11 minutes on the newly opened Elizabeth Line. This, together with the excellent schools, has created a frenzy of interest to the extent that in some cases it has been easier to buy here than to rent. The primary interest has been from professionals coming in from North London looking to upgrade. As a result, there has been steadily growing demand for food markets with some of the best produce, as well as coffee shops like the hidden gem: Familia Café. Local secondary schools include Forest Gate Community, St Angela Ursuline for Girls, and St Bonaventure for boys; all have been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

The old manor of the land was Ham House. Prior to being thus called, the estate was known as Upton House, though this changed so as to differentiate it from the nearby Upton House on Lancaster Road. Ham House was consolidated by Dr John Fothergill, who enhanced the grounds with over three thousand species of tropical plants, such that it was known across Europe as a worthy challenger to Kew Gardens. Upon the sale of this land to developers in the latter half of the 19th century, the housing estates that are seen today began to be erected. Thomas Corbett and his son Cameron would go on to build the Woodgrange Estate villas, mentioned above. The rapid development of railway and tramway lines subsequently brought day-trippers to the Wanstead Flats. This, together with the upmarket property clientele saw the emerging line of shops and amenities on Woodgrange Road. Though the architectural landscape has remained largely unchanged since the Victorian era, the demographics have been in a constant state of flux, with diverse and multicultural communities forming a significant portion of the community today.

Born in Hackney, close to the area, actor Idris Elba is just one figure whose name resounds locally. His parents moved to the east end after getting married in Sierra Leone. Elba left school at sixteen to pursue his passion, training at the National Youth Music Theatre. His ascension to popularity was slow: he initially worked on murder reconstructions for Crimewatch. In between filming Elba supported himself by fitting tyres at Uncle Tom’s garage on Dames Road, and by DJing under the stage-name Big Driis. His breakthrough came when, upon moving to New York, the aspiring actor scored a role as a crime boss, Russell ‘Stringer’ Bell, in the series, The Wire.

The place-name Forest Gate originates, unsurprisingly, from a gate that once stood at the end of ancient Epping Forest, of which the Wanstead Flats form a part. The gate was installed to prevent cattle from wandering onto Romford Road. The road itself is, in fact, an ancient way dating back to the Roman period and connected Londinium, or London, with Camulodunum – present day Colchester. Scholars of Tudor history will be able to identify the road names just south of the Wanstead Flats as tribute to the Oxford Martyrs. Latimer, Cranmer, and Ridley are the names of protestant heretics who were burnt at the stake during the Marian persecution.

With the Elizabeth Line opening earlier this year, fast trains now run through both Forest Gate and Manor Park stations. This has brought Liverpool street within 11 minutes and far away Paddington within half an hour. Additional improvements to the plaza on Woodgrange Road have come as a result, including extra pedestrian space, an enhanced public transport hub with bus route connections, as well as extended cycle paths through Forest Gate. Just south of here, West Ham FC’s former home, the Boleyn Ground, is being turned into a residential quarter. Barratt Homes will be constructing a complex of 18 buildings containing a total of 843 homes. The area will be known as Upton Gardens and will feature roof terraces, a public library as well as a number of commercial spaces.