This is the proper East End (for the minute) and no it isn’t Forest Hill (ever). Its name is derived from a southern gate of Epping Forest which once stretched continuously down from Epping to the main Roman Road (now Romford Road) linking Camulodunum to Londinium.
So bore the estate agent with that, when you are looking at the cheap properties, good schools and planned Crossrail station.
Still not interested? Well I have even more (useless facts)
An Anglo-Saxon jewelled bead was found in Forest Gate in 1875 and dates from 500-699 AD when Essex was an independent kingdom; some might argue it is again today.
In the 60’s Forest Gate was famous for the Upper Cut Club, featuring the Who, The Small Faces, Jimi Hendrix…you name it. A new generation of musicians Plan B, Tempa T and Kano are now associated with the area. Given the choice I know which ones I would go for, but then I am totally out of touch with popular culture, so please ignore me.
Famous for
Arnold Schwarzenegger was known to have lived in Forest Gate and weight-trained at Wag Bennett’s gymnasium in Romford Road. The Wire star Idris Elba is from here and if that wasn’t enough Jimi Hendrix is reputed to have composed “Purple Haze” in the Upper Cut Club on Woodgrange Road. If that is just too Hollywood for you then try this for size; Sam Alper – caravan designer and founder of Little Chef lived here as well.
Positives
It’s cheap and when Crossrail arrives in 2017, Tottenham Court Road will be 18 minutes away, and a lot more expensive. It is only 1.5 miles east of Westfield Stratford City and the 2012 Olympic Park.
Negatives
If you want trendy boutiques, expensive cocktails in jam jars and artisan bread, probably not the place for you (yet)
Transport Links
The Overground gets you to Liverpool Street in 13 minutes (every 10 minutes) To the south, the District and Hammersmith & City tube lines stop at Plaistow and Upton Park.
Schools
Primary, Elmhurst “outstanding”. Secondaries, St Angela’s Ursuline (girls) and St Bonaventure’s Catholic (boys) both “outstanding”.
Drink/Eat
Curry houses…lots and lots of curry houses. Not many pubs, but the Holly Tree will do you a decent pint.
Property All properties correct via www.zoopla.co.uk on 5th October 2014
To buy £385,000 three bedroom terrace house spans over two floors, which offers bright, generously family accommodation in a quiet residential area.
To buy in Forest Gate click here
To rent £1,150 pcm (£265 pw) two double bedrooms, gas central heating throughout and is fully furnished
To rent in Forest Gate click here
Photocredit Wikipedia