Vestry House museum

This is a hidden star! On the backstreets of Walthamstow Village is the historical gem that is this Museum. Within sight of the historic St Mary’s Church, The museum is situated in the old parish workhouse (with a suitably grim message over the entrance!)
Once through the doors (although the exterior is interesting, with the site of the old parish lockup marked out and an doorway from a demolished Walthamstow mansion) a wealth of artefacts await, including the oldest British-built petrol driven car, a police cell, a Victorian parlor, and the local archive, photographic archive and local studies library (the last three by appointment only)
Behind the museum is a reconstruction of the workhouse garden, which is peppered with larger bygones such as a horse trough and water pump.
Although this has no refreshment facilities, it is very close to Walthamstow Central and its hoard of take-away shops, and the garden is a pleasant place to picnic if the weather approves. There are modern toilets in the extension.
There is a shop which sells local history books and lots of interesting bits for children.
The staff are very friendly and helpful, and there are always lots of extras going on in school holidays, so check out the website.
There isn’t a great deal of parking close to the museum (there is a lay-by for 3 or 4 cars outside) but a major car park is about ten minutes walk away.
I recommend this to all, it was just saved from closure (it was open 6 days until recently) its free to enter and well worth a visit.