Description
The Weavers' Almshouses at Wanstead were built in 1857-9, designed by Joseph Jennings. They were rebuilt in 1975, retaining their original appearance, by F G Dobson and H M Grellier & Son at which time a parallel range was added behind, with an area of landscaped garden between the two. The almshouse originated from two foundations, the oldest in Shoreditch of 1670 and another of Spitalfields of 1729. The two-storey range has a taller central clock turret with the Weavers' motto 'Weave Truth with Trust' inscribed and a plaque 'The Almshouses of the Worshipful Company of Weavers, 1851, formerly in Porters Fields and Old Street Road Shoreditch'. The buildings are fronted by a garden with hedge to the road, and has a number of mature trees.
Practical Information
| Site location | New Wanstead/Chestnut Drive, Wanstead |
|---|---|
| Postcode | E11 2SZ |
| What3Words | ///combining.needed.mice |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Redbridge |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private |
| Public Transport | Tube: Snaresbrook, Wanstead |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Edward Walford describes the Weavers' Charity as founded in 1725 for 'twelve poor freemen and twelve widows' who were 'transferred hither about 1860 from the densely crowded neighbourhood of Potter's Field and Old Street Road, London' (Village London).
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ400881 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | The Worshipful Company of Weavers |
| Site Management | The Worshipful Company of Weavers |
| Dates | 1857-9 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Weavers' 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 | Redbridge |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Christ Church Wanstead is a fine large church built by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1861, later enlarged and the ragstone tower and spire were added. It was built as a chapel-of-ease to Wanstead parish church of St Mary the Virgin. Surrounding the church is a wide hard-gravelled path, and the surrounding garden, which has no gravestones, is largely grass with some perimeter shrubs and trees. It is enclosed by wooden picket fencing, which separates it from Christchurch Green Recreation Ground.
Christchurch Green Recreation Ground was formerly known as Spratthall Green. It surrounds Christ Church Wanstead, a small open parkland containing notable horse chestnuts, oak, ash, sycamore and sweet chestnut that possibly dated from the C17th/18th. It was laid out c.1900, a flat grassed area with a network of diagonal intersecting tarmaced paths, predominantly flanked by horse chestnut, with some planting of evergreens.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Wanstead Flats is at the most southerly part of Epping Forest and was saved from development as part of the forest in 1878. Known as Wanstead Heath in the early C17th, it has been used for grazing cattle and sheep since the C12th, a practice that continued up until 1996. Wanstead Flats encompasses a number of areas all now managed as part of Epping Forest, including Manor Park Flats, Bush Wood Flats, Bush Wood and Bush Wood North, the latter having remnants of the C18th landscaping of Wanstead Park.
Wanstead Flats is at the most southerly part of Epping Forest and was saved from development as part of the forest in 1878. Known as Wanstead Heath in the early C17th, it has been used for grazing cattle and sheep since the C12th, a practice that continued up until 1996. Wanstead Flats encompasses a number of areas all now managed as part of Epping Forest, including Manor Park Flats, Bush Wood Flats, Bush Wood and Bush Wood North, the latter having remnants of the C18th landscaping of Wanstead Park.
