Vestry House celebrates the history of Walthamstow.
Culture lovers, we have some exciting news. Following a £4.5 million renovation, Vestry House is set to reopen in the autumn. Located in Walthamstow, it celebrates the area's history
After being closed for several years, the revamp has generated plenty of excitement. Dating back to 1730, the Grade II-listed building is steeped in fascinating history. It started life as a workhouse and was later used as a police station, an armoury, a builders’ merchant and a private home.
Visitors can look forward to five new exhibition rooms, showcasing stories from the borough’s contributions to art, film, music and theatre, as well as its links with the transatlantic slave trade. A former 19th-century police cell – a relic from the building’s past life as a jail – will also be open to the public. Plus, there will be a new café and workspaces.
The transformation has been led by award-winning architects Studio Weave. Exhibition designers GuM Studio have also created a dedicated new space for temporary exhibitions.
Rosalind Doré, Cabinet Member for Libraries, Culture, Sports and Leisure, said: “Vestry House Museum is a treasured part of our borough’s artistic and cultural landscape and the revitalised building will be a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy. It’s reopening later this year after an ambitious reimagining of the space and approach to the museum collections, continues our dedication to supporting and investing in culture, and making it inclusive and accessible to everyone.”
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Where: Vestry Road, London E17 9NH
When: Opening Autumn 2026
Price: Ticket prices are currently TBC
Contact: Visit https://vestryhousemuseum.org.uk for more information.