The London Borough of Waltham Forest is a London borough in north east London, England. The local authority is Waltham Forest London Borough Council. It covers a total area of roughly 14.99 square miles. The borough is located between Epping Forest and Essex to the north, Redbridge in the east, Newham and Hackney towards the south, and Haringey and Enfield to the west, where the River Lea and Lea Valley and the surrounding parkland forms a green corridor separating north and east London. Major districts are Leyton and Leytonstone in the south, Walthamstow in the middle, and Chingford in the north.
In accordance with population estimates from the middle of 2014, Waltham Forest is a borough with a permanent population of around 268020 individuals. The north and south of the borough, split by the North Circular Road, contrast markedly in terms of ethnicity and socio-economic indicators, with built-up urban districts in the south having inner-city characteristics, and more affluent residential development to the north with open spaces, parks, and playing fields.
Historically known as the seat of the Arts and Crafts Movement under the stewardship of William Morris, Waltham Forest continues to support lots of contemporary artists and art groups. The annual E17 Art Trail, which includes open studios, exhibitions and events, is the largest art event in the borough, and there's now a similar event in Leytonstone. Waltham Forest was among the list of six London boroughs that hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics.
