Nostalgic memories of Wanstead's local history

Share your own memories of Wanstead and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Displaying all 4 Memories

In 1946 my family Mum, Dad,brother Alex and sisters Jenny and Kay moved into a requisitioned house in Hollybush Hill. The house was called Surinam and it was a beautiful old house with a sweeping staircase and cellars that were great for playing hide and seek.. The garden was huge with very neglected greenhouses that backed onto the railway line. These greenhouses made excellent runs for our pet ...see more
I was born in the back bedroom of my nan and grandads house in Wellesley Road Wanstead. We did not have much but all worked together, my great aunt Flo and uncle Arthur lived in the basement, they also had a bedroom upstairs. We had a small bedroom at the back of the house my mum my dad and me and later on my sister, my mums brother uncle Jack had a bedroom on the first floor (the room I was born ...see more
It was a long walk to Wanstead Park from where we lived as children.  We lived at  Stephens Road, Stratford West Ham. Weekends and school holidays Mum would pack a picnic for the six of us, usually jam sandwiches or cheese if Mum had some, and a bottle of orange squash. We also had our jam jars and nets for fishing in the ponds for sticklebacks,  a bat and ball, also a football, and off we would go for the day, as most ...see more
Facing the viewer is the George Public House, which I believe still exists; behind is Wanstead underground station and an open area of grassland leading to Redbridge Lane and my then school, Wanstead County High. The High Street is facing us and leads to Snaresbrook, also with its underground station and also a magistrates court!