Welcome to the Chingford Historical Society

Discover more about the history of Chingford and surrounding areas…

• Carry out research with help from members

• Each month from January to July and September to December we have a different guest speaker (free admission to members).

• Summer Visits

• Newsletter

• See Events Page for more details

If you have any photographs or documents, or memories of old Chingford that you think might be of interest to us, please contact Gary Stone on 07970 524553 or [email protected]

We are also on Facebook, Twitter and  instagram. Click on icons below.

COMMITTEE - Our current committee members are: -  Honorary President - Peter Uglow, Chairman - Gary Stone,                    Vice-Chairman - Joanna Moncrieff, Treasurer - Simon Goulter, Secretary - Lawrie Curtis, Membership Secretary - Frances Pick,

Alison Goulter,  David Boote, Stephen Pick,  Alan White & Patrick Smith.

Our AGM minutes for 2024 are available to view on PDF HERE.

TALKS & EVENTS

CHS are pleased to announce that we have a full programme of talks and events for 2025.  Visit our Calendar of Events page HERE.

Download our talks and events list for 2025 HERE.

CHS VISIT TO WARE, HERTFORDSHIRE SG12 9EH September 6th 2025 – 10.30am We have organised a society outing to the historic town of Ware. The Walk includes Ware history conservation area, listed Buildings incl. 14thC Old Friary. Stop at Bluecoat Yard- from 1685. The Story of the Ware Bluecoat Children 1605-1905 and much more. Talk at the Ware Award-winning Local History Museum near Old Friary led by Diana. Optional visit to Scott`s Grotto -built by 18th c. poet John Scott, Quaker, who lived at Amwell House from 1768. Grotto restored for public access at by WS in 1991 and plaque erected.

THIS TRIP IS ON A FIRST-COME FIRST FIRST-SERVED BASIS WITH PRIORITY TO MEMBERS DUE TO LIMITED SPACES.

Download the Visit form HERE.

NEXT TALK - Thursday 17th JULY – 'On the Beat from Bloomsbury to Fitzrovia'  "Join Camden Tour Guide and former Bobby on the Beat Chris Foster for another of his light-hearted adventures. This is an illustrated talk based on his latest guided walk as we meander westwards from leafy Bloomsbury to Bohemian Fitzrovia. Along the way, we will discover a 1960s music revolution, a Turkish rhubarb seller, a ground-breaking dentist, a walk through Senate House (pictured above), a sunken garden, a “ghost” police station and a former life-saving hospital." By Chris Foster

This talk will be held via zoom and in person at our usual location at C of E Primary School, Cambridge Road, Chingford E4 7BP.

Online tickets available via Eventbrite HERE.

FREE to members & non-members £3 via eventbrite.  

Our 2025 talks leaflet can be downloaded HERE.

The North Chingford Heritage Trail is a great way of seeing North Chingfords history and heritage on foot. On the trail, imagine you are stepping out into a bustling town centre of the 1800s. This historic town has been around for almost 1,000 years and covers the whole area you can see on this map, and beyond!
Times may have changed since the 1800s, but many of the Victorian and Edwardian buildings still stand.
Explore North Chingford to see the remains of historic town buildings, and discover what life was
like for locals all those years ago.

Trail Booklet & map available at Chingford Station Hub (by the front door). Download the map HERE.

OUR SPRING 2025 NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE HERE.

We would like to warmly welcome you to the very first North Chingford Heritage Festival!

16 days of free local events and celebrations including heritage bus tours, walks, talks, open house events, heritage train rides, children’s craft, theatre, film, song, Windrush Day events, museum exhibitions, art exhibitions, an Author Event and much more. Situated on the edge of the beautiful and sprawling Epping Forest, settled over one thousand years ago and listed in the ‘Domesday Book of 1086’, North Chingford is the perfect blend of old and new, and the North Chingford Heritage Festival will celebrate the fascinating history of this area and the famed characters connected to the town, including Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Walt Disney, Laurence of Arabia and Queen Victoria to name but a few. The festival steering group, made up of local organisations and the Waltham Forest Regeneration team, sincerely hope you enjoy your time in the town and its beautiful surrounds. Make sure to investigate the high street and support its numerous independent retailers. With a mix of education, excitement, nature and experience, blended into 16 fun filled days, there really isn’t a better time to visit this ancient outpost of London. So, weave your way up and around North Chingford to experience what this jewel of the forest has to offer.

Click HERE for schedule of activities.