Today at Snaresbrook, we stand where history whispers from every corner. Snaresbrook is a district in East London. It is located in the London Borough of Redbridge.
Snaresbrook’s name comes from a corruption of “Sayers brook”. This brook is a tributary of the River Roding. The river flows through Wanstead to the east. Imagine London merchants and craftsmen seeking clean air. Snaresbrook was desirable in the 18th century. It offered easy access to the city via turnpiked roads.
The most notable building here is Snaresbrook Crown Court. This impressive structure began its life in 1843. King Leopold I of Belgium opened it as the Wanstead Infant Orphan Asylum. Later, it became the Royal Wanstead School. Sir George Gilbert Scott and William Bonython Moffatt designed it. Scott also designed the Albert Memorial and St Pancras Midland Hotel.
Consider the history beneath our feet. Before the Crown Court, grand houses dotted Snaresbrook. The Hermitage was a fine Georgian mansion on Snaresbrook Road. Jeremiah Harman, a director of the Bank of England, once lived there. Lady Morrison, Deputy Master of the Mint’s widow, also occupied it. She was a great benefactor to Wanstead.
Nearby, White Lodge stood on the corner of Snaresbrook and Woodford Roads. Sir Christopher Musgrave, chairman of the Metropolitan Water Board, once resided there. James Hilton House, where the author of Lost Horizon lived in the 1930s, originally consisted of two houses. They were called Bellgrove and Ingoldsby.
Sadly, some historic homes are gone. Snaresbrook Hall was replaced by flats in the 1930s. Copsfield and Gowan Lea, once a school, also disappeared. The grand houses of The Drive replaced Wanstead Hall, also known as Hunters Hall, in the late 1890s.
Even today, Snaresbrook retains a unique character. Its boundaries remain somewhat undefined. Snaresbrook is formally in Wanstead Parish. Forest School, though in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, is considered part of Snaresbrook. The postcode of many properties is E18, South Woodford.
As we look around, remember the streams that shaped this area. The Saye’s Brook, now a muddy ditch in places, gave Snaresbrook its name. Another stream, the Holt, also flowed through here. These hidden tributaries have left their mark.
Today, Snaresbrook is served by the Central line. The nearest London Underground station is also called Snaresbrook. This connects it to the heart of London.
Take a moment to appreciate the blend of history and modern life. Snaresbrook, with its Crown Court, historic homes, and flowing streams, offers a glimpse into London’s past.