“Aldersbrook,” a name whispered through time. It speaks of a place nestled in East London. Aldersbrook is now an Edwardian housing estate in Wanstead. But its story stretches back much further. We are standing on what was once part of the medieval Manor of Aldersbrook. The manor’s name came from the Alders Brook. It is a small river that marks the boundary between Newham and Redbridge.
The story of Aldersbrook is intertwined with the land around it. The manor historically fell within the parish of Little Ilford. Today, it is part of the London Borough of Redbridge. But for centuries, Aldersbrook Manor belonged to Little Ilford. This area is now part of the London Borough of Newham.
For a long time, Aldersbrook was connected to the Wanstead estate. These connections sometimes led to boundary disputes in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Heron family held the estate for some time. Their name is remembered in Wanstead. The heron is a symbol on the walls of Wanstead High School. Sir John Heron was keeper of the estate until his death in 1521. He also held lands in Wanstead and brought herons to the area. A pane of glass in Little Ilford Church shows a heron. It is associated with the Aldersbrook Estate.
In 1530, Sir Giles Heron, son-in-law to Sir Thomas Moore, became the estate’s keeper. Two years later, Sir Giles sold Aldersbrook to the Crown. At that time, it was called Naked Hall or Alderbroke. He was executed in 1540 for refusing to acknowledge the King’s religious supremacy.
The Crown granted the estate to Anthony Knevett and his wife in 1535. In 1544, the Crown sold it to Katherine Addington. After several owners, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, bought the estate in 1585. Dudley already owned the manor of Wanstead.
In 1693, John Lethieullier purchased Aldersbrook. His son, Smart Lethieullier, was born at the manor house in 1701. Smart inherited the estate in 1737. He was an antiquarian who wrote fondly of Aldersbrook. He even built a hermitage to house his antiquities. Smart died in 1760. His memorial is in Little Ilford Church.
In 1786, Smart’s heir, Sir Edward Hulse, sold the Manor House to Sir James Tylney Long of Wanstead Park. Aldersbrook was merged again with the manor of Wanstead. Tylney Long demolished the mansion and built a farmhouse on the site. This farmhouse was demolished after 1854. The City of London Corporation acquired much of the land for the City of London Cemetery. They also gained rights over Wanstead Flats, which led to the preservation of Epping Forest.
A small part of the Aldersbrook estate remained as Aldersbrook Farm. A new farmhouse was built around 1863 on Aldersbrook Road. It served the remaining portion of Aldersbrook Farm. Today, Heatherwood Close and Aldersbrook Filling Station occupy this area. It is still enclosed on three sides by a wall.
Archaeological excavations in 1972-73 revealed more about Aldersbrook Manor. The finds related to the Lethieullier family’s occupancy. These excavations help us understand the layout of the manor and farm.
In 2010, the Mike Leigh film “Another Year” used Aldersbrook for some of its locations. This brought the area to a wider audience. Aldersbrook continues to evolve. Yet, its history remains etched in the land. It is a story of manors, families, and the changing landscape of East London. Today, Aldersbrook stands as a reminder of the past. It is a vibrant community with a rich and complex heritage.