Why I live in Walthamstow: Harriet Rose on living ‘surrounded by kindness’ in this friendly north-east London area

Kiss FM breakfast show host Harriet Rose has lived in Walthamstow Village for five years. Here’s why she loves it.
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Walthamstow Village local Harriet Rose
Dave Benett
Ruth Bloomfield1 November 2021

I was brought up in a village in the West Midlands but I moved down to London when I was 19, as soon as I could. I lived all over; New Cross and Brockley when I was at Goldsmiths, and then around Hackney.

I moved to Walthamstow Village five years ago — I was living on Kingsland Road and it was just so loud and hectic. I heard Walthamstow was chill but had my favourite thing, which is lovely food.

I was looking to buy a place and I found a two-bedroom ground-floor flat in a terraced house that I share with my cat, Leonard Cohen. The people before me had really done a great job on it so I didn’t have to do that much. I redid the garden and paved over the grass for maintenance reasons, and I input storage for clothes everywhere and turned the second bedroom into a dressing room.

It is decorated in vintage pastels; my bedroom is light green, the spare room is pink and everywhere else is a sort of creamy off-white. I like quite old-school furniture; my vibe is very vintagey.

Best eating and drinking

If you want a snack then go to Homies On Donkeys in Wood Street Market for a taco. For dining in there are two tapas restaurants that I really love: the staff at Orford Saloon on Orford Road are so warm and kind, I always have a great time there, and Don Francisco Y La Luna on the hight street is amazing.

If you’re in the mood for a quiet drink then The Chequers, also on the high street, is really great, or the Queen’s Arms is good if you want to have an accidental night out. It’s so much fun. Last time I went there I ended up doing karaoke.

The Chequers Pub on Walthamstow High Street
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Where I work out

When I first moved to Walthamstow I really struggled with exercising, and I needed help to find something that I would enjoy doing. I found this personal trainer called Sam George who started his business, Sam George Fitness, from scratch and owns a little gym. He transformed my life. Also I go to The Gym Walthamstow if I’m not seeing Sam.

For a culture fix

The obvious place would be the William Morris Gallery. I actually really love its gardens, and they often have markets or food things or fireworks going on in Lloyd Park. It’s a real hub of activity.

William Morris Gallery’s gardens
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To commune with nature

The place I really love is Hollow Ponds, which is about a 15 to 20-minute walk away, near Whipps Cross Hospital. You can wander all the way around, they have boats to rent and a little café. Its where I go when I want to take care of my mental health.

Grocery shopping

During the pandemic, practically the only place that I went was the Eat 17 Spar on Orford Road. It is amazing. They have a Japanese takeaway there and a pour-yourown wine section, plus artisanal products from local producers. I also like Parish Wines nearby, where you can get a very posh bottle of wine.

Getting around

I get up for work at about 5am and I jump on the Tube because it is a lot faster than going by car. It takes only about 20 minutes to get to Oxford Circus. I got a bike during the pandemic, which I use to get around in east London.

Dream street

I would love to live right in the middle of Orford Road because I do love being in the centre of things. There are some really lovely authentic houses on Beulah Road, too.

Something you only see in Walthamstow

I have never lived anywhere else in my life where I have felt so surrounded by kindness. I go for dinner with my neighbours, I know everybody in my street and absolutely everyone wants to stop and have a chat.

What’s the catch?

Its close to the centre of London as the crow flies, but by car it can take such a long time because of all the traffic.

In three words

Community. Cosy. Energetic.

Find Harriet Rose at @iamharrietrose

What it costs

Average house purchase price: £634,649

Average flat purchase price: £374,784

Average house rental price pcm: £1,809

Average flat rental price pcm: £1,353

Source: Rightmove

Local schools

Most of Walthamstow’s primary schools get at least a good report from Ofsted, and the schools watchdog gives top marks to Greenleaf, St Saviour’s, The Woodside and South Grove primary schools.

For older pupils, Walthamstow School for Girls holds an outstanding Ofsted report, and the vast majority of Walthamstow’s other secondaries are considered good.

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