South Woodford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Woodford |
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 The George Pub and Odeon Cinema |
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 South Woodford
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| OS grid reference | TQ405905 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | E18 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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South Woodford is an area of East London, England, within the London Borough of Redbridge. It adjoins Woodford Green to the north, Walthamstow to the west, Snaresbrook and Wanstead to the south and Redbridge to the east, and is 8.9 miles (14.3 km) north-east of Charing Cross.
Historically part of the ancient parish of Woodford St Mary, in the Becontree hundred of Essex, the area was largely rural before developing rapidly in the 19th century. It became part of the Metropolitan Police District in 1840 and has been part of the London postal district since its inception in 1856, the same year that South Woodford station, now on the Central line of the London Underground, opened. South Woodford formed part of Woodford Urban District from 1894 to 1934, then part of the Municipal Borough of Wanstead and Woodford until 1965, when Greater London was created.
Amenities
South Woodford's retail and business area is centred on George Lane — the main high street for the district — and Woodford Green High Road. There are a number of well-known chain store shops, such as Boots and Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, and a good selection of smaller shops, restaurants, cafes, and a crown post office, including a Royal Mail sorting office.
There is an Odeon cinema in the High Road, which is one of the oldest buildings in South Woodford and the only cinema in the area. It has a listed building status which protects it as a cinema and does not allow for major internal structural changes. Next door is The George Pub, another one of the oldest buildings in the area, having originally been a stopping point for stage coaches, with several different bars including a saloon bar. The George once had a fine dining area on the first floor and then later a pizzeria in the basement, with a large spiral staircase between the floors. Other amenities include a number of green areas, many of which form part of Epping Forest.
There are numerous churches and chapels representing many Christian denominations, as well as several synagogues and a mosque.
This area was also, until 2004, home to the student residences of Queen Mary, University of London, but the distinctive tower blocks were demolished in 2007 and replaced with lower-rise privately owned apartments, as well as some council housing, known as Queen Mary's Gate.
There is also the Redbridge Drama Centre, situated next to Churchfields junior school. It provides workshops for young children aged 5 and above right up until 65, it provides education to local schools and brings culture to the surrounding area. It has an in-house theatre company under the name Vital Stages. There are shows at least once a week from touring companies.
South Woodford lies within the London Borough of Redbridge, covering the wards of Church End, Roding and Snaresbrook. Each ward has a team of Neighbourhood Police, both managed by one sergeant.
Transport
Road
South Woodford sits at the junction of the North Circular Road with the start of the M11 motorway, which begins at Charlie Brown's Roundabout and is accessible from the Waterworks Corner roundabout. Charlie Brown's Roundabout was enlarged in 1972 to accommodate the flyover and sliproads onto the newly constructed motorway.
South Woodford also offers easy access to the A1400, which merges into the A12, as well as access to the A12 from the Green Man roundabout and the A104 which is known as Lea Bridge Road and is a major link to areas of central London via Hackney.
Train
George Lane itself is split into two by the Central line rail track with the western part of the road containing the majority of shops and businesses. There was originally a level crossing at this point, but now a flyover (locally referred to as "the Viaduct") carries traffic between the east and west sides of George Lane.
The area is served by South Woodford tube station in Travelcard Zone 4 on the Central line of the London Underground.
Bus
South Woodford is served by London Buses routes 20, 123, 179, 549, W12, W13, W14 and N55.
Education
South Woodford has a good selection of schools including Nightingale Primary, Snaresbrook Primary, Churchfields and Oakdale which are both split into infants and juniors. There is also Snaresbrook Preparatory and Woodbridge Secondary School.
Forest School is an independent school, in close proximity to South Woodford, in that the playing fields are arguably in South Woodford.
