Walthamstow named London’s best place to live by Sunday Times

The Sunday Times has released its highly anticipated 2025 Best Places to Live Guide.

Seven London locations have been included in this year’s list, but one town has been crowned ‘regional winner’ – Walthamstow.

The Sunday Times judges described Walthamstow as “diverse, vibrant and cool without being frosty, living up to its name which is believed to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon for the welcome place”.

They said: “It encapsulates so much of what’s great about the capital: hip hangouts, independent shops and restaurants, handsome Victorian housing stock, calming green space, excellent public transport and, imminently, West End-quality culture, courtesy of the new Soho Theatre, adding to a cultural scene that includes a wallet-friendly local cinema, the Instagrammable neon art at God’s Own Junkyard, and the William Morris Gallery.

The Sunday Times highlighted Walthamstow’s calming green space including Walthamstow Wetlands which span 13 miles (Image: Waltham Forest Council) “The street market is part of an impressive retail offering that runs from upmarket lifestyle stores, pubs and delis in chichi Walthamstow Village to no-frills fabric shops on the High Street.”

Helen Davies, Best Places to Live editor, said: “What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there.

“That means we can see what people really love about the places they live in.”

Walthamstow was also named by Muddy Stilettos as one of the top 300 places to live in the UK in October last year.

Walthamstow village is home to a host of independent businesses (Image: Jenny Selby) It was described as an “under the radar” town with “some affordable pockets of property, a buzzy café culture and a scattering of great schools”.

Muddy Stilettos wrote: “Old meets new in this vibrant borough, where community-led projects, pubs and greasy spoons rub shoulders alongside cool bars, hip restaurants, recording studios and galleries.

“Loved by families, thanks to plenty of spacious terraced housing and some outstanding schools, yet still a coveted place to live if you’re young, free and single.”

The town’s culinary scene was hailed for its diversity and quality and a few spots were highlighted in particular: Taro Walthamstow for “unbeatable bento boxes”, Dudley’s for brunch and Rhythm Kitchen E17 for “jerk chicken and plantain fritters galore”.

Supper Club Tube was also singled out by Muddy Stilettos for a unique dining experience where you can enjoy a three course meal in a disused tube carriage.

The William Morris Gallery was picked out by Muddy Stilettos as a cultural attraction in Walthamstow (Image: Google) For nature lovers, fresh walking routes are not hard to come by as Walthamstow Wetlands spans more than 13 miles of reservoirs and rare bird viewing spots.

The William Morris Gallery was also mentioned as a “Bridgerton-esque former home” which is “packed to the rafters with his designs”.

For families with young children, the town’s education is highly praised with Walthamstow Montessori School, Forest School and Norman Hurst School picked out as “highly regarded” independent schools.

Woodside, South Grove, Green Leaf and Walthamstow School for Girls were all recognised as state schools “to get excited about”.

The ease of getting in and out of Walthamstow was also highlighted by Muddy Stilettos with an “abundance of transport links” thanks to being located at the end of the Victoria line on the London Underground.

A 20-minute ride will land you at Oxford Circus and on the Overground you can be at Liverpool Street station within just 12 minutes.