Blackhorse Lane is a historic industrial district of Waltham
Forest. It is an accredited Creative Enterprise Zone, now
named Blackhorse Collective, designated by the Mayor of
London to recognise the area’s unique artisan spirit, its rich
history of making and its thriving creative community.
The area started to develop in the 1890s, following the
opening of Blackhorse Road Station. Larger scale
manufacturing began to move into Walthamstow. The most
significant growth was in electrical engineering and in
manufacturing of motor vehicles, as well as a wave of new
consumer goods. By the second half of the 20th century, the
site was dense with industry including furniture, tyres, printing
machinery, dry batteries, leather goods, propellers, omnibus
and motors. More recently the area has become associated
with creatives and makers. It has been designated as a
Strategic Industrial Location in the London Plan since 2004.
During Open House Festival 2024, in collaboration with
William Morris Design Line we are hosting an Open Weekend
of events to celebrate Blackhorse Lane as a destination of
design, making and manufacturing.
Across the weekend, studios, creative workspaces,
workshops and factories in the area are opening up and
showing how things are created, made, remade and repaired.
Discover the often unseen spaces of making and
manufacturing and explore what is designed and made on
your doorstep, here in Blackhorse Lane.
