Bushwood, Leytonstone
Bushwood is an area in the north of Leytonstone in East London; determined by the curved boundary of the road called Bushwood along the edge of Wanstead Flats, Lister Road to the south and High Road, Leytonstone to the west.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/sep/21/lets-move-leytonstone-on-good-form|title=The Guardian - Let's Move To Leytonstone|date=21 September 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://theemmersonpapers.wordpress.com/category/places/|title=The Emmerson Papers - Cut Out & Keep Guide To Leytonstone|date=18 February 2015 }} The area has the Browning Road Conservation Area, that contains what remains of the historic hamlet of Leyton-atte-stone.
The area has many tree-lined streets with Victorian and Edwardian houses, which continue to attract professionals and young families.{{Cite news|url=http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/buying/first-time-buyers/where-to-buy-a-london-home-priced-below-250k-four-keys-areas-with-strong-pricegrowth-potential-and-a107276.html|title=Four London areas for £250k budgets with future price-growth potential|date=2017-01-10|work=Homes and Property|access-date=2017-04-29|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.guildproperty.co.uk/news/post/1499259175/up-and-coming-areas-in-the-uk|title=Up And Coming Areas In The UK 2017}}{{Cite news |date=June 23, 2024 |title=The hidden ‘Cotswolds of London’ is just 40 minutes from the centre |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/06/23/hidden-cotswolds-london-just-40-minutes-centre-21089614/ |work=Metro.co.uk}} The area is popular for its proximity to Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park, quick access to restaurants, cafés and shops,{{Cite web|url=http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/area-guides/wanstead-borough/wanstead/living-in-wanstead-area-guide-to-homes-schools-and-transport-32964.html|title=Evening Standard Article on Neighbouring Wanstead|website=Evening Standard|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-28}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/blog/rowing-boats-rambling-and-roasts-its-the-best-bits-of-leytonstone-081415|title=Timeout - Guide To Leytonstone 2015|date=15 August 2015 }} and transport links into central London via the Central Line.{{Cite web|url=http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/renting/renting-in-london-where-to-live-along-the-central-line-to-get-a-speedy-commute-value-for-money-and-a-a111246.html|title=Where To Live Along The Central Line For Speedy Commute, Value For Money and A Great Social Life|date=2017-06-21|website=Evening Standard Homes And Property}} Bushwood, a neighborhood with around 1,500 homes, is known for its exceptionally active and strong residents' association. This group fosters community spirit through events and innovative and creative initiatives, and also publishes a quarterly magazine called The Bush Telegraph. More information about their activities can be found on their website: www.bara.london.
History
It is named after the ancient woodland of Bush Wood, which creates part of the north-east border of the area.
Notable features
=Browning Road Conservation Area=
Bushwood includes The Browning Road Conservation Area consists of terraces of ‘Georgian’ cottages. These were preserved as a reminder of their special historic and architectural interest by Waltham Forest Council in March 1973.{{cite web|url=https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/sites/default/files/CA%20APPRAISAL%20MANAGEMENT%20PLAN%20-%20BROWNING%20ROAD.pdf|title=Waltham Forest Gov - Browning Road Appraisal Management|access-date=26 July 2021}}
==The North Star==
The North Star Public House is situated on Browning Road{{Cite news|url=https://www.leytonstoner.london/2017/04/13/must-browning-road-e11/|title=Article in Leytonstoner on Browning Road in Bushwood Area of Leytonstone|date=2017-04-13|work=Leytonstoner|access-date=2017-04-28|language=en-GB}} in the heart of the Conservation Area. Originally two cottages converted into a Public House it is thought that the name of this establishment comes as a direct result of a sailing voyage taken by the founder of the North Star, Frederick Wildsmith which involved his returning from India with a monkey{{cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562f8bb4e4b0a7fdeac6064f/t/5a2ad508f9619a48e6e729a1/1512756511886/conservation-area-browning-road.pdf|title=BARA - Browning Road Conservation Area
|access-date=24 July 2021}} and so fond was he of this memory, he decided to name the pub after the twin-masted, 253 ton Brigantine in which he had travelled. The North Star's first mention is in the 1858 Rate book with Frederick listed as a ‘beer retailer’ in the 1891 census.{{fact|date=July 2021}}
= Victorian keystones=
Many Victorian houses in Bushwood have decorative keystones above their entrances in the form of faces. Mainly found in Leyspring, Leybourne, Barclay and Woodville Roads, the use of these elements was influenced by the Neoclassical architecture introduced by Romanticism in the early Victorian period (mid 1800s).{{fact|date=September 2021}}
=Henry Reynolds Park=
At the northernmost part of Bushwood, is Henry Reynolds Park which includes a playground for children of all ages and basketball shooting practice area.{{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/861313.Food__fun_and_festivities/|title=Henry Reynolds Park Re-opens}} Originally a gravel pit that became Green Man Pond; it was drained in the 1970s to form the present day park with its sunken gardens.{{fact|date=July 2021}}
===Leytonstone Mosque===
Bushwood is the location of Leytonstone Mosque.
=Ferndale area=
Ferndale is an area of streets that adjoins the south of Bushwood; covering Davies Lane, Cotton Close, Ferndale Road, Malvern Road and Montague Road. While not formally part of Bushwood, Ferndale has a similar mix of housing and gentrification.{{cite web|url=https://www.streetlist.co.uk/e/e11/e11-3/ferndale-road|title=Street List - Ferndale Road in Leytonstone|access-date=26 July 2021}} It also has a residents' association for the area, modelled on the sister Bushwood association.{{cite web|url=https://fara-leytonstone.org.uk|title=Ferndale Area Residents Association (FARA)|access-date=26 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://leytonstonetoday.net/areas/|title=Leytonstone Areas|access-date=26 July 2021}}
Gallery
File:Leaf Man in Grove Road, Bushwood Area of Leytonstone.jpg|Sculpture by Stephen Duncan in Bushwood area of Leytonstone
File:Bushwood Area 3.jpg|Row of Victorian houses in Bushwood area of Leytonstone
References
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