A thousand years of history from King Cnut to Elizabeth II, has witnessed Waltham Abbey expand from a hamlet on the banks of the River Lea to the town we see today. The fabric of the town’s history is interwoven within the story of the abbey itself.
Dating back to the early 11th century, the religious site adopted many functions over the years as a church and priory, then as one of the most prosperous and important abbeys in the country. It was where King Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, was laid to rest and later it housed the Waltham Bible.
According to the Waltham Abbey Town Council website, throughout the Middle Ages the town and the abbey prospered beside each other, and many distinguished people passed through the town as a guest of the Abbot. The harmony between the town and the abbey ended when Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the monasteries. Their possessions were sold or given to court favourites; Waltham was leased to Sir Antony Denny.
Despite the changes that came with the loss of its abbey, many industries were set up, one of the earliest being the manufacture of explosives at the Powder Mills followed by a horticultural and glasshouse industry during the 18th century. The coming of the railway at this time led to an even greater expansion of the horticultural industry and to the growth of the area as a wonderful place to live, which continues today.
DINE
A stone’s throw from the church, the Welsh Harp is a lovely old pub dating back to 1908.
You can cosy up and enjoy traditional pub meals, craft ales and enjoy the pretty surroundings. For cake and coffee, head to The Gatehouse Café on Highbridge Street. There is a tasty selection of breakfasts and lunches on offer with plenty of seating in the welcoming café.
Mouth-watering pastries galore are served at the Royal Artisan; tuck into delicious meals throughout the year and make the most of the outside seating area during the summer months.
Shuhag Indian restaurant began more than 35 years ago and offers authentic cuisine from West Bengal. Dishes include saag gosht, a slow-cooked lamb and spinach curry, spiced with cumin, coriander, fenugreek and garam masala, and khorai, a stir-fried curry with sweet and spicy flavours. Try the pasanda for a mild and sweet curry containing cream, ground almonds and cashews.
EXPLORE
It’s easy to while away an afternoon walking around the historic Waltham Abbey Gardens. Meander around the ruins of the Augustinian Abbey where the cloister entry, gateway, precinct, chapter house walls and the stone bridge over Cornmill Stream are still intact. There are attractive gardens to immerse yourself in and picture-perfect spots to sit and admire the view.
Nothing prepares you for the beauty of Waltham Abbey Church when you step inside. The breath-taking Norman architecture in the nave and the ancient roots of the church and abbey are evident everywhere. The Lady Chapel was built in the 14th century and features a wall painting of The Biblical Day of Judgement. The painting was covered by whitewash at the Reformation and it was uncovered during repair work in 1876.
Nearby places that are also worth a visit include the Royal Gunpowder Mills, where you can view the armoury, science shows and take a guided tour. For 10,000 acres of green spaces, head to Lee Valley Regional Park.
SHOP
Waltham Abbey is blessed with many independent shops in its picturesque town centre. There is Annabel’s Boutique, which specialises in baby to teenager fashion, as well as adult casual, evening wear, bags and accessories.
To stock up on healthy items, head to Abbey’s Health Food where you will find a vast array of quality, nutritional foods and goods to purchase. For spiritual items there is White Witch, while Patsy Belle & Choul's is a great spot for personalised one-off gifts. For cards and party supplies galore head to Dotties on Sun Street.
STAY
Within the town there is Waltham Abbey Marriott, offering four-star accommodation with comfortable rooms an and on-site swimming pool. There is also the Premier Inn Waltham Abbey hotel, with free parking, wi-fi and a central location. Nearby, there is the Epping Forest Hotel, this convenient spot is comfortable and welcomes dogs.
There are lots of properties available on Airbnb, including a top-floor apartment in the centre of Waltham Abbey. It is situated within an 18th century property with one bedroom and one bathroom.
