is a town in the
London Borough Of Waltham Forest . It is a suburban development located 6.2 miles (10 km) north east of
Charing Cross .
Leyton means ''"Town on the
River Ley "'' and the name has been used since the
9th Century . Leyton is situated on the
Prime Meridian and is less than 1 mile east of the site of the 2012 Olympic Park. Leyton Orient Football Club is also based here.
The
New Spitalfields Market relocated in
1991 from the
Old Spitalfields Market , is the UK's leading horticultural market specialising in exotic fruit and vegetables.
Leyton was historically part of
Essex and formed an urban district of that county from 1894. The district was originally part of the ancient parish of Low Leyton. It gained the status of municipal borough in 1926. In 1965 the
Municipal Borough Of Leyton was abolished and its former area transferred to
Greater London to be combined with that of other districts to form the
London Borough Of Waltham Forest .
The main route through the town is the High Road, which forms part of the ancient route to
Waltham Abbey . At the top end of the High Road is a crossroads with Lea Bridge Road and Hoe Street. This junction and the surrounding district is known as
Baker's Arms , named after the
Public House which still stands at the spot.
There are 2 main shopping areas in the the town, located at opposite ends of the High Road. A new retail park is to be found at Leyton Mills. This has a large
Asda store, a
B&Q store and a selection of furniture and electrical stores.
Baker's Arms , has a more traditional selection of shops lining Lea Bridge Road and the High Road, including a
Woolworths and a
Tesco .
In 1886 a pavilion was built at
Leyton Cricket Ground , becoming the headquarters of
Essex County Cricket Club until 1933, however Essex continued to play at Leyton until 1977. The pavilion still stands today.
The town is the home to
Leyton Orient FC , who play at Brisbane Road. The stadium has recently been re-constructed, including improved terraces and some residential property.
During World War II, Leyton suffered as a target because of its close proximity to Temple Mills Yard.
The town of Leyton is served by the
Central Line of
London Underground , with a
Station located at the southern end of the High Road.
There is a station at
Midland Road on the
Gospel Oak To Barking Line . The town is well-served by buses, with 24 hour services running along the High Road and Lea Bridge Road.
