Description
Squires Almshouses were founded in 1795 by Mrs Mary Squires to accommodate six widows of Walthamstow residents. The simple garden has mature trees, shrubs with mixed shrubs and perennials in a long bed at the front. The area at the back retains the original idea of private gardens.
Practical Information
| Site location | Church Path, Church Hill, Walthamstow |
|---|---|
| Postcode | E17 9RH |
| What3Words | ///advice.wake.button |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Waltham Forest |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private |
| Public Transport | Rail / Tube: Walthamstow Central (Victoria) then bus. Bus: W12 |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2005 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The almshouses were founded in 1795 by Mrs Mary Squires to accommodate six widows of Walthamstow residents and are in Walthamstow village, which maintains its C18th and C19th village atmosphere with the church, Vestry House, and Tudor House. An inscription above the almshouses records that they were 'erected and endowed for ever . . . for the use of six decayed tradesmen's widows of this parish'. In 1975 the rear extensions were reconstructed to modernise the kitchens and provide indoor bathrooms. They were completely renovated in 1995 and although the six front doors are still visible the accommodation is now only for four residents. The original York stone path runs the length of the front of the buildings; planting includes mature trees, shrubs with mixed shrubs and perennials in a long bed at the front. At one time there were pollarded trees to the front. The area at the back retains the original idea of private gardens; there used to be six dwellings but since recent restoration there are now only four, maintained by the residents. The original privies have been converted into garden sheds. Grass is cut by the charity. At the front is a white picket fence with breeze block wall topped with iron railings at the back. A small wooden gate is at one side set in the brick walls at the side.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ378891 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.0536 |
| Site Ownership | Walthamstow Almshouses and General Charities |
| Site Management | residents |
| Dates | 1795 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Squires Almshouses |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Waltham Forest |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Walthamstow Village |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - local importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
The first church of St Mary Walthamstow was founded in the early C12th on the site of an older church. The current building is largely C16th with later alterations. The timber-framed Ancient House near the church probably stands on the site of the original Manor of Walthamstow. The churchyard contains numerous interesting graves and four listed tombs, and is divided into four railed and enclosed areas with public access to only two; it is bisected by paths which are in frequent public use. There are some 1300 visible monuments in and around the church, and it is thought that over 26,000 burials took place here.
Vestry House was built in 1730 to provide a workhouse and rooms for Vestry meetings. The site together with the small area of green in front is a remnant of Church Common. The workhouse expanded over the years but after 1840 Walthamstow paupers were moved to the new Union Workhouse and Vestry House was used by a number of other bodies. The oldest part became headquarters of the Walthamstow Literary and Scientific Institute, and then a private house. After its acquisition by Walthamstow Borough Council it opened in 1931 as a Museum of Local History and Antiquities. The garden originally stretched as far as Church Path but cottages were built on part of it in 1840 and the railway further encroached in the 1860s, although a piece of land was added in compensation for this. The workhouse garden was originally used for growing fruit and vegetables, and later became a display area for the Museum. Following a restoration programme it has been recreated in the style of an C18th workhouse kitchen garden.
Monoux Almshouses date from 1527 and were established by Sir George Monoux adjacent to St Mary Walthamstow, together with a school for boys. The almshouses have gardens at the front and back, although the boundary with the adjacent churchyard today is ill-defined.
