Forest Gate, England, United Kingdom
Today I was going to rent a bike from Stratford again and go biking around my old areas in Forest Gate, East London. I went to the Olympic Park to rent the bike instead of Stratford Station to walk this way and see Westfield Shopping Centre.
All of this was derelict land growing up, marshes, or gasworks with large cylinders. It was heavily industrial, neglected, and no reason to come here except to dump trash. It has all been regenerated post Olympics.
Just on the border of Newham is the River Lea. We never knew about the canal life that existed there and has grown with the recent rejuvenation of the district. As well there is the Three Mills Island and the historic mill that I had no idea growing up.
Many of the other buildings along this stretch of Romford Road before the Bow Flyover such as the Dane Group of buildings have been demolished.
Returning back thru Stratford I made my way via Maryland to Forest Lane. Here was Forest Gate hospital where everyone we know was born. This has now been converted to apartments.
Further at the foot of Forest Lane is Forest Gate Community School which was my high school before coming to Canada.
Heading towards Wanstead Flats where they would have the fun fair on Bank Holidays, was our second home on Woodford Road. This is also the border of Forest Gate where a gate once stood until the 1700s to enter from Epping Forest.
Heading up Capel Road I made my way to Godwin Junior School on Cranmer Road which was unchanged. Around the corner on Sebert Road was Woodgrange Infants School. They have added new buildings and removed the brick wall so parents can see inside the school playground now.
Down Balmoral and Hampton Roads I made my way to our Windsor Road home, our last home before we left for Canada. This is part of "Woodgrange Estates".
The four roads (Hampton, Osborne, Claremont, Windsor) were made into a conservation area by the late 1970s to preserve the historic homes. These villas were built in the 1880s with the newly opened Forest Gate station and had many unique Victorian features such as interior and exterior tilework.
As well many had mini side homes for the servants. Ours did not have servants dwellings though we had room door bells for the servants which we would play with as kids and drive our parents crazy.
Back on Woodgrange Road is Durning Hall which is slated to be demolished for more apartments. Around the corner on Hampton Road is our first home where I was born.
The screaming man church next to the former Forest Gate library is also slated to be demolished for more flats. I'm glad I got to see one last time before Woodgrange Road is forever changed.
Heading down Romford Road I made my way to High Street North East Ham.
It has some distinctive red brick buildings which is also used in the Town Hall. I then made my way across to Green Street.
The former stadium for West Ham United (Upton Park) has also been demolished and turned into apartments. The matches are now played at the Olympic Stadium.
I was getting tired so made a detour down Upton Lane to get back to Stratford
See also vlog of biking - https://youtu.be/OZip3b_jK50
More on Woodgrange Estates Conservation area homes - https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/5164/woodgrange-design-guide-october-2022?fbclid=IwAR1UPkv0QENCt_r62XS-ZiXcx063C9kHXWcDl56igjpssWyFlp0Nk83LSrQ
2025-05-22