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Wanstead in an east London area and part of the London Borough of Redbridge. The A12 is the primary thoroughfare running through the area. Wanstead mostly has a residential atmosphere and contains open meadows like Wanstead Flats as well as Wanstead Park.
In the 11th century, Wanstead E11 was called Wenstede. The name origin is unclear. Wanstead’s name may derive from the Anglo-Saxon words “wen” which means hill and “stead” which means settlement. In 1717, a telescope was set up at Wanstead Park.
The George is an 18th-century pub. There are a couple of local legends surrounding the pub’s plaque. The most plausible explanation is that the plaque commemorates a huge cherry pie served at a feast in 1752. Enormous pies were a staple of the 18th-century local rural events.
St Mary the Virgin church is a grade I listed building dating from 1790. It features a monument that honors politician and businessman Josiah Child. Drummer Clive Burr of Iron Maiden, poet Thomas Hood, astronomer James Pound, and actor Tom Watt are former Wanstead E11 residents.
The nearest towns in Wanstead are Redbridge, Snaresbrook, Leyton, South Woodford, Manor Park, Leytonstone and Walthamstow. Wanstead tube station and Snaresbrook tube station, both on the Central line, are the two closest London Underground stations in the area. Wood Street railway and Leytonstone High Road railway stations are also near Wanstead.
Notable people associated with Wanstead include poet Thomas Hood, actress Jessie Wallace, actor Tom Watt, astronomer James Pound, ex-Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, and cricketer Max Raison. Popular tourist attractions near the area include Leyton Great Hall, Vestry House Museum and Leyton Jubilee Park.
