Open House at Ferry Lane Estate
Come and visit one of London’s most well-designed and livable estates.
If you’re interested in what great council housing can look and feel like then please come and visit Ferry Lane Estate. We have lived here for eight years and we love it!
As part of the Open House Festival, there will be two tours of the estate:
Friday 8 September, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Saturday 9 September, 11am-1pm
You can find out more on the Open House Festival Website
Some things I love about Ferry Lane Estate 🏘
🌳 Loads of trees — When the architect came back to the estate he couldn’t believe how many of the trees they planted grew to full maturity. There are so many great green spaces and even a small wooded area on the estate. A lifesaver during lockdown with an 18-month-old.
📝 Amazing design — Ferry Lane was one of the last estates built under the Parker Morris Standards (scrapped in 1980.) The architect, Jack Lambert, said that the brief was for every home would have a garden or balcony and there were to be no lifts or towers. There is loads more information in the link below if this is your thing!
👋 A strong community — There is an amazing sense of community on the estate. This is in part from the amazing work of Ferry Lane Action Group. It is also because the design of the estate means you naturally bump into people. There are places to stop and talk and play.
🛶 The location — Ferry Lane estate runs alongside the River Lea and is a short walk from Walthamstow Wetlands, the Paddock and Markfield Park. This connection with the natural world feeds into life on the estate, with visits from swifts, peregrine falcons and kingfishers.
🏭 The history — Before the estate was built, the site was the Harris Lebus furniture factory and employed 5000 local people. It is a fascinating history and there will also be an opportunity in the tours to hear from local historian Paul Collier.
The school is fantastic as well 🤗
