Highams Park & Chingford

Blackhorse Road/ Higham’s Hill If you’re a craft beer fan you’ll know the maze of warehouses to the north of Blackhorse Road station, which at the turn of the 20^th century transformed the area from emerging suburb to industrial quarter. Now known as Blackhorse Beer Mile, its fast-growing cluster of breweries and associated taprooms have become a key London attraction for both locals and tourists. Equine the area is not, however: the station name is actually a corruption of ‘Black House’, a mansion that stood at the southern end of the road. Despite this, don’t miss Glaswegian sculptor David McFall’s mural of a black horse outside the station’s entrance. It’s here where we’ll start, at the busy crossroads, whose landmark mural opposite, on the corner of Forest Road, was created in 2014 by artists Jon Blake and God’s Own Junkyard founder Chris Bracey, depicting pipes, shaving brushes and leather goods manufactured at Dunhill’s local factory. A couple of hundred metres east on Forest Road are popular hangouts Forest Wines, with its vast corner mural, and opposite, the bright-yellow Jaunty Coffee, which cheerfully announces itself as the last stop on this stretch of road. Also on this short parade are homewares and gift shop Yeet and bicycle store Mamachari. Back at the junction, refuel (or co-work) at buzzy hangout Narrative (tip: the packed brunch bagels) or adjoining Deja Brew, while just over the road is modern gastropub and pizzeria The Black Horse. Need some green space? A short walk west is the 211-hectare Walthamstow Wetlands nature reserve for fans of wide open skies and views of the city, with its thirteen miles of paths, ten reservoirs and eight islands. Nothing short of a “London Lake District” – as people have dubbed it – there’s even a lovely café set within the visitors centre. Back on the grittier lower reaches of Blackhorse Lane, which runs adjacent to the industrial estate, there’s a wealth of outlets including legendary sonic repair shop and café Armstrong Audio and some of east London’s best coffee at Hermanos in Gnome House, a creative space housing art, photography and design studios. Nestled midway up is Krypton, the quirky home of American comics: in one form or another this hidden gem has been selling comics for over 35 years so it’s no surprise that the shop is filled to the brim. Nearby is the must-visit German Deli (follow the signs from the main road), while more active locals flock to Yonder, which combines climbing, yoga, a workspace, café and an events space all under one roof. This is a place you can come to boulder your way to a brain wave. Now snake your way round the industrial estate for a bar crawl – and you’ll discover some of the capital’s finest taprooms at Signature Brewery, Pretty Decent, Big Penny (don’t miss its cathedral-like interior) and, our favourite, Exale, tucked away at its northern end. A little further north still are a trio more spots: Hackney Brewery, which also hosts vintage clothing pop-ups, Walthamstow’s classic Wildcard and the unique Renegade Urban Winery, whose airy main mezzanine bar overlooks the Wetlands. Walk back down south for a few minutes and you’ll reach Sutherland Path, home to enterprising Blackhorse Workshop, a public space dedicated to making and mending, with a range of courses: if you’ve ever fancied yourself as a woodturner or leatherworker this is the place for you. Also in this corner is Burnt Faith, the UK’s first dedicated brandy house and distillery, while at its heart is friendly Blackhorse Workshop Café, whose bright, sun-filled unit and tented outdoor seating is as much the place for Turkish-style brunch as excellent coffee; there are also salsa classes, Knit Nights and even family discos.  And if you need a special meal, a moment away is the area’s acclaimed small plates restaurant Slowburn, nestled within the iconic Blackhorse Lane Ateliers.