This area is part of the Borough of Redbridge and sits on the eastern strip of Woodford itself. A bird’s eye view of the space shows a beautiful checkerboard of green spaces and quaint residential streets - all lined with detached and semi-detached houses. Yet with its proximity to a large supermarket and the thriving Southend Road Industrial Estate, this part of town gives the impression that it’s a large, self-contained community. Whilst the quietness of its suburban character would have you fooled, with access to the key junction of the North Circular Road (A406), it’s also a great gateway into and out of the city.

Due to its proximity to the River Roding, the area has spent much of its lifetime as a rural community. However, it was the introduction of the railway that kickstarted its growth into the current suburban haven it is now. Its name originates from the Saxon times and is relatively self-explanatory when looking at the geography of the neighbourhood. The area was largely forest along the river where there used to be a small ford.

Thomas Hood, a 19th century poet, wrote a little sonnet about Woodford back in 1832, and it’s quite sweet. The poem is as follows:
“Along the Woodford road there comes a noise,
Of wheels, and Mr Rounding’s neat postchaise,
Struggles along, drawn by a pair of bays,
With Rev. Mr.Crow and six small Boys;
Who ever and anon declare their joys,
With trumping horns and juvenile huzzas,
At going home to spend their Christmas days,
And changing Learning’s pains for Pleasure’s toys.”

In comparison to the western side of Woodford, which is divided neatly by the M11, these homes are slightly humbler. There are fewer detached houses, and more terraced homes. Additionally, living close by to one of the key eastern arteries for getting into and out of London can lead to some congestion.

Like the majority of Woodford, its greenery means that it is fiercely protected as a green-belt and conservation location. This in turn, means that there are very few development plans in the pipeline for the area. This being said, the local council is eager to preserve and further promote Southend Road Industrial Estate – which serves as a key local economic hub in the area. The lack of new development has meant that house prices here appear reasonable in comparison to many other parts of London. One local news provider recently emphasised this point boasting that a 3-bed maisonette was recently sold in the area for just £275,000.