This postcode is located in the southwestern Walthamstow, bounded by Hoe Street to the east and Lea Bridge Road and Dagenham Brook to the west, where Low Hall Sports Ground is located. Hoe Street is the main shopping street in the area, particularly where it intersects Lea Bridge road to the southeast of the neighbourhood. The area is predominantly residential, with Victorian terraces being the dominant architectural form. At the centre of the postcode sector is a slew of community buildings, including Walthamstow Leisure Centre, Queens Road Community Centre and Low Hall Children’s Centre. Kelmscott Secondary School is located in the western portion of this area, along with Edinburgh Primary School, Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service and Queens Road Learning Centre. Markhouse Road is the largest throughway passing through the locality, and divides the area into the greener west, which includes Lee Valley Park, and the slightly more built-up to the east.

Walthamstow derives its name from ‘Weald’ (meaning wood), ‘Ham’ (meaning manor, and a precursor word for ‘home’) and ‘Stow’ (a place) – and for a long time Wood Manor Place did quite accurately describe the area. In the Domesday Book of 1086 the area is known as Wilcumestou, with a population of 82 and a value of £28 and 2 ounces of gold. The River Lea, which flows just outside the area today, was said to have been at least a mile wide in the ninth century, and was likely the route Vikings used when they took their ships to invade Hertford.

Although it may not be believable today, at one point in the 1600s, Walthamstow was known for its wine – Samuel Pepys, in one of his anecdotes, tells a story of how a dinner party claimed that they had ‘never drank better foreign wine in their lives’ than the wine from a vineyard in the area.

Frederick Bremer lived on 1 Connaught Road in Walthamstow between 1892 to 1894, and in that time constructed the first British car powered by an internal combustion engine in a small workshop in his garden. The Frederick Bremer School, built on a former industrial centre, is named after him. Frederick Bremer never mass produced his car, instead donating it to Walthamstow Museum in 1933 as he wanted to inspire children to take pride in the fact that inventing such a thing was possible in Walthamstow.

Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum is located to the west of the area. The site has gone through many alterations in its history, starting out as a moated country house (Low Hall Manor) in the 14th century, later also a farm (Low Hall Farm). In 1875, the Walthamstow Urban District Council bought the land to build a sewerage pumping station, however, these buildings would later be destroyed during the Blitz and replaced in the post-war period.

There are two Overground stations serving this neighbourhood, with the Walthamstow Queen’s Road line running north to south and the St. James Street line running east to west. Bus links also connect the area with Leyton and Stratford, yet the postcodes biggest transport asset is the Victoria Line at Walthamstow Central Station 10 minutes walk to the north.

Looking forward, Walthamstow Mall is set for redevelopment, in a scheme which will also involve the renovation of the town square and the creation of 350 new permanent retail jobs. Additionally, Waltham Forest council is planning a number of initiatives in the Markhouse Croner area, based on the wishes of local residents and business owners. The suggestions raised include shopfront improvements, business support advice, a marketing campaign and better light installations. Nearby St Mary’s Church is also set for redevelopment. Sitting within the Walthamstow Village conservation area, this sympathetic new scheme seeks to create a thriving community hub that includes cafes, an art centre and an education space, as well as a working church.