Things you didn't know about... Chingford

Chingford is a modern invention
Chingford was, from the time of the Domesday Book until the late 19th century, a rural hamlet on the banks of the River Lea and the edge of Epping Forest. The railway arrived in 1873 and with it hordes of East Enders on day trips to Epping Forest. From that time Chingford developed into the London suburb that it is today.

Thank Chingford for grandstands
A famous local landmark is the restored Tudor building, Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge. Despite its name, it was actually built for Henry VIII in 1543. It had a viewing platform on the top (third floor) from which spectators could watch deer hunts on Chingford Plain. Called a "great standynge", it became, with time, a "grandstand".

Chingford put the (asterisk) obelisk in the wrong place
In 1824 an obelisk was erected on Pole Hill to mark "true north" for the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. Unfortunately, when calculations were re-done some years later, it was discovered to be 6 m (19 ft) west of the true meridian line.

They're true blue in Chingford
Leading lights in the Conservative Party have represented Chingford throughout history. One former MP was Sir Winston Churchill when Chingford was part of the Epping constituency—his statue can be seen down the road at Woodford Green. Former party chairman Norman Tebbit (nicknamed "the Chingford skinhead") held the seat, and more recently party leader Iain Duncan-Smith took on the mantle for Chingford.

Chingford was the end of the road for some notorious gangsters
East End mobsters and racketeers Ronnie and Reggie Kray are buried in Chingford Cemetery, alongside brother Charlie and mum Violet.

Chingford—from gangsters to glamour
As well as East End gangsters, Chingford has been home to lots of other East Enders (and EastEnders). Former glamour model Samantha Fox lives here, as does former EastEnders star Daniella Westbrook.

Chingford's stars of pitch and pictures
Carry On star Leslie Phillips lived here, David Beckham grew up here and Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies was born here.

iCame, iSaw, iConquered—and it all started in Chingford
Design legend Jonathan Ive, who gave us the iPod, iMac and iPhone, is a Chingford lad.

Come visit exotic Chingford
In 1981's A Slow Bus to Chingford, an episode of Only Fools and Horses, Del Boy launches Trotters' Ethnic Tours, which proposes bus tours of Chingford, taking in sights such as the Lee Valley Viaduct. Unsurprisingly, the venture falls at the first hurdle...