Welcome to the Chingford Historical Society
Join us to discover more about the history of Chingford and surrounding areas…
North Chingford Freedom Walk Heritage Trail
Chingford Historical Society held the North Chingford Freedom Walk on 24th June 2023 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush's arrival at the Port of Tilbury in 1948 and the birth of the UK's modern multiracial society. Centred at the Chingford Station Community Hub, it also included freedom walks along the North Chingford Heritage Trail with Peter Ashan.
Peter is a local Author, Educator and Historian who was born and grew up in Waltham Forest.
The Freedom Walk explores the area's Black community and presents an alternative history of North Chingford from centuries past through to the present day.
Click here to read more.
WELCOME
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 in the first instance on
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.
LATEST NEWS
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.
NEXT TALK - THURSDAY 19th June -DOUBLE BILL
North Chingford Methodist Church with Gary Stone
There has been a Methodist Church in North Chingford since 1905. This talk looks at the development of the church over the past 120 years with the help of some parishioners. Also, what does the future hold for this landmark church in Station Road?
Monsieur Garnerin's Epic 1802 Balloon Flight to Chingford with Joanna Moncrieff
Joanna will recount the improbable but true account of a balloon flight from Dorset Square to Chingford in 1802 which took just 15 minutes and the circumstances surrounding this event.
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.
HERITAGE TRAIL
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.
NORTH CHINGFORD HERITAGE FESTIVAL 2025
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.