Previously absent from many lists of desirable places to live in and around London, Waltham Forest is beginning to turn heads for its pretty high street, diverse communities, and excellent links to Central London and beyond.
Birthplace of famed textile designer and artist William Morris, the borough celebrates his legacy with the William Morris Gallery, which reveals both his artistic and socialist revolutionary activities. Waltham Forest was also London’s first Borough of Culture in 2019. This, alongside hosting the bustling Walthamstow Market, Europe’s longest outdoor market, marks it as a key destination in its own right.
If you’re visiting for business or leisure, it’s also worth noting that the area is well-positioned for private jet charter, giving travellers flexible and exclusive access to London’s wider aviation network.
But how do you get here? Well, if you’re travelling from somewhere within the U.K. capital, Waltham Forest has two tube stations, Walthamstow Central and Blackhorse Road. The borough is also well-connected via bus routes and Walthamstow Central Rail Station. From here, you can hop onto the Weaver line which takes you to London Liverpool Street and from there, you can travel anywhere in the U.K. If you’re travelling further afield, though, and need access to an airport, you have options, five of which we’ll get into below.
1. London City Airport (LCY) Airport - 11 miles
Just a stone’s throw - or twenty minutes in a taxi - from Waltham Forest, you’ll find London City Airport. London’s fifth-busiest airport, London City is the best, and closest, option if you’d like to charter a plane to or from Waltham Forest. Its small size allows travellers to breeze through check-in and security while the vast number of Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) at the airport ensures flexibility with your departure that you simply won’t find anywhere else.
With just under 3.5 million passenger movements in 2023, London City Airport is still the U.K.’s most popular airport for private jet users due to its proximity to Central London, round-the-clock operations, and first-class facilities.
2. Heathrow Airport (LHR) - 27.7 miles
The natural first choice to reach Waltham Forest via air is Heathrow. It’s about a fifty-minute drive and has by far the most connections when it comes to commercial flights. Being so close to the U.K.’s busiest airport is a plus when it comes to living in the best place in Britain to raise a family.
From Waltham Forest, Heathrow can be easily reached via public transport, with the Elizabeth Line offering a simple journey through central London, significantly reducing travel time.
In terms of comfort, Heathrow boasts world-class amenities, from luxury shopping and fine dining to tranquil lounges and premium passenger services. Its facilities cater to both leisure and business travellers, ensuring a more refined travel experience. Additionally, airlines operating from Heathrow include premium carriers such as British Airways, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic, which provide more frequent flights than you’ll find at any other airport on the list.
3. London Stansted Airport (STN) - 27 miles
Now, while Heathrow is the expected first choice of many people visiting Waltham Forest, you might want to choose Stansted instead.
Located almost the same distance as Heathrow, as the crow flies, you can probably get to Stansted a little quicker due to its quieter route and smaller size. You’re looking at probably a 30-minute taxi ride to Stansted, giving you an extra ten minutes to prepare for your trip. There are also excellent public transport links, such as the Stansted Express from Tottenham Hale, which provides a direct train service that reaches the airport in just under 40 minutes. This is especially advantageous if you’re looking for a quick, stress-free trip to the airport.
Another reason to opt for Stansted instead is that it’s a hub for budget airlines, including Ryanair and easyJet, making it the perfect choice for travellers seeking affordable flights. Stansted's extensive network of low-cost routes offers an alternative to Heathrow’s typically higher-priced flights with flagship airline British Airways. Additionally, its smaller size compared to Heathrow means shorter queues for check-in, security, and boarding, streamlining your travel experience.
If your travel plans are focused on European destinations or you value convenience and cost-effectiveness, Stansted is often the better option.
4. London Luton Airport (LTN) - 35 miles
For travellers to or from Waltham Forest, London Luton Airport offers an excellent balance of convenience, affordability, and access to a wide range of European destinations, making it a strong contender as the best option for certain travel needs. What makes the airport all the more fascinating is that it’s also one of the U.K.’s busiest airports for private aviation. This ability to handle aircraft at either end of the spectrum comes from its 24-hour private jet operations and its fairly long runway. This means it can handle big low-cost carriers as well as larger private jets that cannot be accommodated at London City Airport.
Luton serves as a hub for low-cost airlines such as easyJet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. These carriers offer competitively priced flights to a variety of European cities and holiday destinations, making Luton ideal for quick getaways or business trips within Europe.
Additionally, Luton’s compact layout makes it less overwhelming than larger airports, particularly for those who prefer a more straightforward journey from arrival to boarding.
5. London Gatwick Airport (LGW) - 55 miles
When travelling to or from Waltham Forest, we can be sure that London Gatwick probably isn’t your number one choice. It offers a fair balance of accessibility, destination choices, and competitive pricing, but it’s much further away, and you’re spoiled for choice with closer airports that also offer budget options.
Located around 55 miles away, Gatwick can be reached in about 1-1.5 hours by car or public transport. The Thameslink or Gatwick Express trains provide relatively convenient options from East London, but these services can be more expensive than alternatives to closer airports like Stansted or Luton.
As the U.K.’s second-busiest airport, Gatwick serves a mix of short-haul and long-haul destinations, making it appealing for trips beyond Europe, including North America, Asia, and the Caribbean. However, Gatwick’s flight prices can sometimes be higher than those at Stansted or Luton for similar European destinations, which might make it less appealing for budget-conscious travellers.
A Spoil of Riches in Waltham Forest
There aren’t many destinations in the world that can boast of five world-class airports all within an hour’s drive, but Waltham Forest residents are lucky enough to claim this. Whether you’re flying private, looking for a budget city break, or taking the family on the trip of a lifetime, there’s an airport not too far away that can easily accommodate you.
