The London Borough of Waltham Forest is a London borough in north east London, England. The local authority is Waltham Forest London Borough Council. It covers an overall area of about 14.99 square miles. The borough is located between Epping Forest and Essex in the north, Redbridge in the east, Newham and Hackney in the south, and Haringey and Enfield in the west, where the River Lea and Lea Valley and the surrounding parkland forms a green corridor separating north and east London. Significant districts are Leyton and Leytonstone in the south, Walthamstow in the centre, and Chingford in the north.
In accordance with population estimates from the middle of 2014, Waltham Forest is a borough with a permanent population of around 268020 people. The north and south of the borough, split by the North Circular Road, contrast markedly in terms of ethnicity and socio-economic indicators, with built-up urban districts towards the south having inner-city characteristics, and more affluent residential development to the north with open spaces, parks, and playing fields.
Historically known as the seat of the Arts and Crafts Movement under the stewardship of William Morris, Waltham Forest continues to support several modern artists and art groups. The annual E17 Art Trail, which contains open studios, exhibitions and events, is the greatest art occasion in the borough, and there is now a comparable event in Leytonstone. Waltham Forest was among the list of six London boroughs that hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics.