Our guide to Forest Gate: community spirit and small businesses in east London
Forest Gate’s name derives from the gate that once led to the southernmost point of Epping Forest, built in the 17th century to prevent cattle straying from the woodland. The gate no longer stands, but the proximity to such a vast green space spanning almost 6,000 acres is still one of the things that makes the area so appealing. And with its new home on the Elizabeth line, you can go from forest to central London in under 20 minutes. The very best of both worlds, we say.
In the 1960s, Forest Gate was home to a thriving music scene, thanks to the Upper Cut Club, the former music venue that hosted Jimi Hendrix and Nina Simone. Today, the creative spirit remains strong: this east London corner plays host to bars, shops and restaurants that double as community hubs – from a tap room that serves home-brewed beers with a side of live music to a cosy coffee shop that also provides a refill service for your household products. We’ve rounded up our favourite spots in the E7 area and its borders, including the UK’s only artisan South African bakery, a hairdressers/homeware shop with sustainability at its heart and a beloved communal garden run by local residents.
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1. The Up Garden
The Up Garden is a reclaimed pocket of shared outdoor space opened by the Forest Gate community at the end of 2022. Formerly an old laundry yard in a council estate, which had been abandoned for decades, locals came together to create a place for gardening, learning about sustainability and socialising. It’s been designed with all ages in mind too, with bug hotels for young green fingers – aimed to spark conversations around biodiversity – and picnic tables for teenagers and adults, which are set against a graphic mural by artist Andy Mac Manus. It’s a lovely place to get some fresh air and chat with fellow locals and E7 enthusiasts on a sunny day.
2. The Red House
Named after its red-brick façade, The Red House – also known as St Anthony’s Catholic Club – is a beautiful Grade II-listed building in the heart of Forest Gate. It was founded in 1907 as a meeting place for the local Catholic community, but today it’s an eclectic event space for locals and visitors alike. The best time to come by is when it’s hosting its Wednesday night jazz session, where musicians will play to an intimate crowd – and it’ll only cost you £3.
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3. Ramble Cafe
There are a whole host of independent businesses to discover under the old railway arches in Forest Gate, including Ramble. This Scandinavian-inspired cafe has a delightful menu featuring fresh pastries and fun brunches – think vegan cinnamon toast and smoky butterbeans on sourdough – and hearty homemade soups and stews for lunch. The seating out the front is a wonderful spot for freelancers to work on their laptops or to watch the world go by. Top tip: its regular crafting workshops (featuring cocktails) are a big hit.
4. Wild Goose Bakery
Fun fact: geese refuse to leave the side of a sick or injured bird until they’re better. Yes, really – and this inspired the name of Wild Goose Bakery. Veron – who was born in South Africa and is now based in Leytonstone – and Kristen Steyn, the work-and-life partners behind the business, are firm believers that “food can open doors and bring together a community”. At this artisan South African bakery/cafe, the couple serves baked goods made using recipes handed down by Vernon’s grandmother and ingredients sourced from local suppliers or hand-picked from their garden.
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5. Cups & Jars
It is what it says on the tin: Cups & Jars is both a coffee shop and plastic-free grocery store that provides a refill service for household and beauty products and food, such as various grains and pulses. The shop aims to reduce the amount of pre-packaged food that comes to Forest Gate. The cafe, meanwhile, has a weekly changing menu offering chilli jam and cheese toasties, panzanella salads and mushroom velouté – all whipped up using locally sourced ingredients. The covered heated garden is a cosy haven of green plants and wooden beams that you can enjoy year-round.
6. Giovanna’s Deli and Wine
Giovanna’s is an Italian deli, wine bar and pizzeria, run by couple Alessandro and Victoria – also known as Alex and Vic. The work-and-life partners first met in Alex’s family restaurant in the Dolomite mountains, but now they are firmly based in east London. Their shop is named after Vic’s grandmother, who emigrated to London and started her own Italian restaurant on the same street. Here at Giovanna’s, they keep the Forest Gate community stocked up on delicious Mediterranean produce, from cheese and wine to meat and bread. They even sell their own pizza-making kits.
7. Buller and Rice
As its Instagram bio reads, Buller and Rice is London’s “first sustainable lifestyle salon”, which champions mindful products and has a zero-waste hair-care refill bar. Following the success of its beautifully designed Walthamstow and Newington Green outposts, Buller and Rice launched its first multi-purpose retail space in Wanstead – a short walk across the heart of Forest Gate. Beyond its pretty peach façade, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of homeware and lifestyle pieces – from brands such as Hay and Smith and Goat – alongside an ever-changing offering of natural wines. And yes, you can get your hair done while you’re there.
8. The Ciderhouse
A family-run cider shop and bar in the heart of Forest Gate, The Ciderhouse emerged as a lockdown project to help sell stock from the founder’s farm in Somerset after the likes of Glastonbury and most other events they sell at were cancelled. From renting a spot under the railway arches – right next to Tracks – and converting it into an off-license to building a bar and watching queues curl around the corner, The Ciderhouse is now a permanent fixture for top-quality – yes, you guessed it – cider. It has a real community feel too, hosting regular pop-ups and takeovers by other local small businesses, such as Go East Vintage.
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9. The Wanstead Tap
Tucked away past some old car-repair garages under the railway arches lies The Wanstead Tap, a bar and events space that’s got plenty of personality and charm. Watch local and upcoming talent, from comedy acts to musicians, perform to a warm and welcoming crowd, while sipping on craft beer – there are around 100 types stacked on the shelves. The Wanstead Tap also hosts film screenings, panel talks and book launches.
10. Pretty Decent Beer Co
As well as being a haven for beer lovers – this place brews its own range of beers using seasonal ingredients so there’s always something new to try – this taproom run by Pretty Decent Beer Co bills itself as “an inclusive neighbourhood spot” and encourages guests to come down and enjoy its calendar of events, from wine tasting and brewery tours to running club and quiz nights. Just a short stroll from the Wanstead Flats, it’s the perfect spot to reward yourself with a cold pint after a long walk or workout.
11. Wanstead Flats
The Wanstead Flats is a beautiful hybrid of city and country: the vast open grassland – the southernmost point of Epping Forest – was cleared of trees centuries ago and now offers clear views of the Canary Wharf skyline and towering nearby buildings. Expect to see dog walkers, bike riders and picnic goers making the most of the lush landscape – and look out for Wanstead Flats Fitness company, a not-for-profit local group that is all about training inclusively and affordably in the community. Come for group exercise sessions; stay for a post-workout stroll when the sun’s out.
12. Epping Forest
Epping Forest is the perfect antidote for busy city life – and Forest Gate residents have it on their doorstep. The forest is home to more than 50,000 ancient trees and 100 lakes and ponds (look out for the waters of Strawberry Hills, where wildlife is particularly abundant), and made up of more than 50 distinct areas of woodland, grassland and other habitats which, together, span 2,400 hectares. As you can imagine, every time you go back there’s a new corner to explore – and a new watering hole to stop off at for a refreshment along the way.
See our Forest Gate listings.
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