South Woodford

South Woodford is a suburb of London. 8.9 miles (14.3 km) north-east of Charing Cross. South Woodford, Woodford Green, Woodford Bridge and Woodford Wells form the area known as Woodford which has its origins dating back at least to the Saxon period. It came under Essex County Council until 1965 but since then has been in Greater London. It is in the historic or traditional county of Essex and E18 is in the 'London' Post Town.

George Pub and Odeon Cinema, South Woodford

South Woodford
South Woodford Location within Greater London
OS grid reference	TQ405905
London borough	Redbridge
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	E18
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
UK Parliament	Chingford and Woodford Green Ilford North Leyton and Wanstead
London Assembly	Havering and Redbridge

Amenities

South Woodford's retail and business area is centred on George Lane, the location of South Woodford tube station and Woodford Green High Road. There are several leading chain store shops, such as Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Boots and a number of smaller shops, restaurants and cafes. There is a crown post office, which is facing closure.

There is a seven screen Odeon cinema, which opened in 1934 as a Majestic and is the only cinema in the area. As of November 2017, its freehold is for sale. Next door, The George pub, an 18th-century building on the site of an earlier inn, was originally a stopping point for stagecoaches, with several bars. 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 local amenities include a number of green areas, many of which form part of Epping Forest.

There are numerous churches and chapels representing various Christian denominations, several synagogues and a mosque.[1]

This area was 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.

The Redbridge Drama Centre, situated next to Churchfields Junior School, provides workshops for young children aged 5 and above and adults up until 65, drama education to local schools and culture to the surrounding area. It has an in-house theatre company named 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 part of Snaresbrook.[2] Each ward has a team of Neighbourhood Police, each 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 "Water Works" 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 "Green Man's" 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.[3]

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.

References

1. "Mosque search". 31 August 2010.
2. http://www.redbridge.gov.uk/map/wards Map showing wards in Redbridge, London Borough of Redbridge
3. "Buses from South Woodford" (PDF). Transport for London. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2019.