TOURS PRESENT & PAST…
See below for our very special Tour schedule for the rest of November…watch this space for fresh Eventbrite bookings links to go live for each tour this week and on the homepage too!
Sat 24th Oct- Hoe Street Art Tour- William Morris to Local Gems:
A slow, behind-the-scenes morning on Hoe Street.
‘Walthamstow’s hidden studios, street art & William Morris’ walk, is an in-person, curated experience, for the curious, art-loving and community-minded.
Spend a morning with the people who make East London — less than a mile, but lpacked with access you won’t get on your own.
Led by long-time Walthamstow resident Sue Wheat, we start at Walthamstow Library main entrance (next to Walthamstow Central station) and walk north down Hoe Street being welcomed to artists’ private studios, community hubs, seeing street art, and ending at the world-famous William Morris Gallery with its brand new exhibition.
This is a small-group, curated tour — short in distance, rich in stories.
Along the way:
- Street art stories: murals and hidden works in collaboration with Wood Street Walls, Angry Dan and others.
- Two private studio visits: a ceramicist’s studio + a print shop & studio — meet the makers, see work in progress
- A sneak peak inside Walthamstow’s own beautifully renovated Soho Theatre, with stories of the community campaign to save it.
- Step back in time at E17’s old-skool community club – Walthamstow Trades Hall and hear some of its stories.
- Finish at the iconic William Morris Gallery — no rushing, you can stay on after.
Caption: One of the makers we will visit – Yanire Sylva Delgado – will greet us at her private studio off Hoe St and explain her work and personal art story.
Line up:
Yanire Sylva Delgado
Kirsten Schmidt
Agenda
10:30 AM – 10:40 AM
Meet outside Walthamstow Central Library in the square by the post box
10.20-30 Arrive – Look for me, Sue at Walthamstow Central Library main entrance – I always wear bright colours! Please arrive 5-10 mins early for a prompt start. The library is in Walthamstow town square on the High St (the top of the market), very close to the bus, Underground and overground stations. Meet by the red post boxes next to the entrance inside the main square facing LIDL.
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Visit Soho Theatre
Soho Theatre – a creative, performance and cultural hub for London’s East End. Learn about the theatre’s incredible history, the celebrities that have played there, and the successful campaign to save it.
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Yanire Sylva Delgado’s secret ceramics studio
Yanire Sylva Delgado is a talented and passionate artist who brings a unique perspective to her work. A deep exploration of self-expression and introspection characterizes her artistic journey. Through her chosen mediums clay, metal and timber Yanire creates captivating sculptures that reflect the intricacies of human emotions and experiences.
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
Kirsten Schmidt’s ‘The Studio’
We’ll meet artist Kirsten Schmidt in her shop/studio where she creates and sells paintings, prints and hand-chosen vintage works.
12:20 PM – 12:40 PM
Walthamstow Trades Hall
Learn the story behind this incredible community hub, from Working Men’s Club, to a multi-cultural music venue and hub of Walthamstow. Have a rest and a drink here too, and a chat with the members.
12:45 PM – 01:00 PM
The William Morris Gallery
Visit the world-famous William Morris Gallery. Stay as long as you like and be one of the first to see its new refurbishment and revamped gallery, telling the story of the many sides of this incredible man, maker, artist and activist, William Morris. The tour will end here and you can see the new exhibition ‘Earthly Paradise’ and spend as long as you like viewing the new exhibitions, and visiting the cafe and the grounds of the house – Lloyd Park.
Sat 19 Sept – Walthamstow Way – Artists, Markets and Murals Walking Tour
Come and join Good Life Tours for a wonderful walking tour of the launch of the new ‘Walthamstow Way’ – from Wood St, through Ravenscroft Estate, to Walthamstow Village and Central, meeting artists, creatives, and small businesses over 2.5 hours.
Photo: One of several murals you will see along the Walthamstow Way, this one on Wood St, by Morag Myerscough, working with Wood St Walls.
Time: 10am or 2pm
Meeting point: Wood St station, Walthamstow, London
End point: Walthamstow Central station
We’ll visit some incredible local spots and meet a range of creative people in and around Walthamstow Village and Wood Street, so this is more than just a walking tour – it will be an inspiring cultural tour.
We’ll hear the stories behind murals and mosaics, and a special curator’s talk at the ‘Making of Mothers’ exhibition in the cutest, tiniest, Garage Gallery .
Book early for a discount on the standard ticket – £25 (cheaper for seniors and young people. There’s no low income option with this booking system, so if that’s you, just click ‘senior’).
Photo: Laura Villares-House, curator of ‘Making of Mothers’ will give us a unique insight into the exhibition on the tour.
CONTACT US FOR BESPOKE TOURS
We also do walks for groups by arrangement – do get in touch with date options and preferences about the type of tour you would like. Some ideas below, more write-ups coming…
PAST SUMMER DELIGHTS
See our Gallery for a selection of places we’ve visited this summer.
July’s Patterns of nature tour
This nature walk from Walthamstow to Leyton along the River Lea intertwined art with the beauty and biodiversity of the Walthamstow, Hackney and Leyton Marshes.
The walk goes from St James St in Walthamstow to Leyton, via the Victorian filterbeds, accompanied by a nature-focused artist, ending at a beautiful, hidden community art gallery, Art Works East.
This is a perfect half day out for art lovers and nature fans alike and a unique opportunity to connect, chat, and enjoy some amazing creativity up close! We’ll definitely do it again.
