Car Hire Walthamstow

Situated in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, Walthamstow lies just a few kilometres outside the city centre. To the north lies the A406, also known as the North Circular Road, which provides access to Ilford, Barking and towards London City Airport. You can also use this route to join the A10 and continue to the A501, part of the Inner London Ring Road.

To the south of Walthamstow is the A112, which leads into Stratford and towards the city centre. If you are planning to drive into central London during your stay, you will need to pay the congestion charge which is in place between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Full details, including how to pay, can be found on the Transport for London website.

Heading out of the capital, Walthamstow is connected to the M11 motorway via the A406. You can follow this route to travel north to Stansted Airport and Cambridge, or join the M25, also known as the London Orbital Motorway, which provides access to Watford and other towns on the outskirts of the city.

Speed limits are given in miles per hour, with motorways and dual carriageways typically having limits of 70mph (112km/h), though this can vary – some stretches of the M25 are 50mph (80km/h), for example. In towns and cities, the limit is generally 30mph (48km/h), or 20mph (32km/h) in certain central or residential zones.

If you are planning to explore Walthamstow itself, you will find on-street pay and display parking available around the High Street. Some parts of Waltham Forest are Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs), allowing priority for businesses and residents at certain times, which should be clearly signposted.

It’s possible to apply for a visitor or business permit, which allows you to use permit parking bays subject to certain restrictions. You will also find pay and display car parks in Walthamstow, including on Bedford Road close to the High Street.

Travel here and it’s a perfect base for exploring London and all its central attractions.

With a hire car in Walthamstow, you’ll also have a chance to explore other highlights in the surrounding area.

Historic highlights

One of the most popular attractions in Walthamstow is the William Morris Gallery, dedicated to the life and work of the Victorian artist and designer. Housed within his former family home, it features permanent displays of works by Morris and other members of the Arts and Crafts movement.

If you’re keen to learn more about Walthamstow’s heritage, head to the Church End area where you can see some of its most historic buildings and the Vestry House Museum, a former workhouse and police station which now tells the story of Waltham Forest through artefacts dating back to the Victorian era.

Back to nature

Just a short drive away lies Walthamstow Wetlands, the largest urban wetland nature reserve in Europe. Officially opened to the public in 2017, the site is made up of 10 reservoirs that provide water to homes around the capital. But it also serves as a home for wildlife including peregrine falcons, cormorants and kingfishers.

Take a walk along one of the peaceful footpaths before heading to the Engine House, a 19^th century building first constructed to house the engine which pumped water through the reservoirs. Today, you will find it houses a café offering hot drinks, snacks and scenic views of the wetlands and London beyond.

When you hire a car in Walthamstow, it’s also easy to reach Epping Forest. Encompassing quiet towns, rural villages and woodlands, this district is packed with attractions to suit all ages.

Highlights include Waltham Abbey, an ancient market town that boasts historic timber-framed buildings and an Art Nouveau town hall. It’s also home to Waltham Abbey Church, where Harold – the last Anglo-Saxon king of England – is said to be buried, having raised the building to a grand new state following a pilgrimage here.

For a more action-packed day out, head to Lee Valley White Water Centre. Here you can experience white water rafting on an Olympic course, or try your hand at one of the canoeing and kayaking courses that are suitable for all abilities.

Capital culture

With its convenient location close to the city centre, Walthamstow also offers the chance to explore some of London’s world-class cultural attractions during your stay. Head for Covent Garden to browse the boutique stores and enjoy a hot drink at one of the coffee bars or patisseries, before taking a walk to the British Museum.

Renowned as one of the greatest museums in the world, it’s packed with artefacts that span an incredible two million years of history, from Egyptian mummies to the Parthenon Sculptures. One of the must-see highlights the Rosetta Stone, which provided the key to understanding hieroglyphics when it was discovered in Egypt during the 18^th century.

There’s so much to see and do in London that it’s impossible to fit it all into one trip, but whatever you’ve got planned for your visit, car hire in Walthamstow allows you to explore all this area’s highlights at your own pace.