TRAVEL
Neighbourhood Guide: Leyton
Our Guide to the East London We Call Home
We moved to Leyton just as we were starting out with Earl of East. The earliest candles were poured in a makeshift studio at home, and while our first official studio wasn’t here, we brought our head office to Leyton four years ago to be closer to where it all began.
This is a neighbourhood that’s deeply rooted in community and independence, and we’re proud to be part of it.
1. Francis Road
Full of independent gems, this pedestrianised street has become a local landmark. Consider it your go-to for morning coffee rituals and golden hour wines. You’ll come for your daily essentials and stay for the neighbourhood feel. Whether you're picking up organic groceries, browsing thoughtful homewares, or catching up with friends over pastries and natural wine, Francis Road captures the spirit of Leyton: laid-back, community-minded and quietly creative.
Tamping Grounds
An essential stop to start the day right, Tamping Grounds serves up expertly brewed coffee. Take a perch on the outside seating with a flaky pastry from their neighbours at Forno and a flat white and you’ve got a morning ritual worth repeating. The team is as inviting as the coffee and offer up treats for your four-legged friends. Everything you want from your neighbourhood coffee spot.
Yardarm
Part deli, part wine bar and an all-round neighbourhood staple. Yardarm is where you pop in for a bottle of natural wine and some beautifully sourced provisions, then end up staying for a glass in the sunshine. The shelves are stocked with thoughtful pantry essentials and small-batch finds, while the wine list is effortlessly cool. It’s laid-back, welcoming, and quietly refined. A true Leyton classic.
2. Leyton Midland
The new heart of indie East, this is the space to watch! The arches along Tilbury Road have transformed into a buzzy evening destination.
Leyton Calling, Swirl & Chop Shop Tavern
A mini strip of hole-in-the-wall gems, these three spots bring serious character (and cocktails) to the neighbourhood. Begin at Leyton Calling with a mezcal margarita, move on to Swirl for a glass of something bold and natural, then end up at Chop Shop Tavern. Each bar has its own distinct vibe, but together they make this row of arches feel like one of east London’s best-kept secrets.
Also on our Leyton Midland radar...
Gravity Well: Craft beer done right, just beside Midland Road station.
Burnt Smokehouse: Perfect if you’re looking for something heartier.
Host: Daytime visits call for vintage homewares and rotating food pop-ups. Keep an eye out for Folie Chambre—a favourite of ours.
Gravity Well: Craft beer done right, just beside Midland Road station.
Burnt Smokehouse: Perfect if you’re looking for something heartier.
Host: Daytime visits call for vintage homewares and rotating food pop-ups. Keep an eye out for Folie Chambre—a favourite of ours.
3. Upper Leytonstone
This part of Leytonstone edges toward Epping Forest and brings with it a slower, more residential rhythm. Think laid-back eats, leafy weekend walks and rows of quintessential London terraces. Ideal for quiet mornings, long lunches and easy escapes into nature.
Filly Brook
Excellent drinks, great food and an always-on-point playlist. Filly Brook nails the cool local hangout brief. Whether you’re here for small plates, natural wine, or just to sink into the evening soundtrack, it’s the kind of place that feels like a second home. Warm, welcoming and low-key, it's the perfect place to unwind.
Out of the Woods
A neighbourhood favourite and always our go-to for some Mediterranean escapism. Out of the Woods serves up vibrant Med inspired plates in a relaxed, café-style setting that feels instantly familiar.
Hollow Ponds
A walk around the ponds is a must, with big open skies it offers up a real sense of escape for city dwellers. Come summer, rent a rowing boat and drift across the water with the resident swans - pure main character energy. If you’re seeking out a long weekend stroll, a quiet moment by the water, or even a little off-piste adventure then Hollow Ponds provides a good dose of nature, right on Leyton’s doorstep.
What’s Next
The neighbourhood’s already got so much to offer, and there’s more to come;
Tuns Space: A new family friendly caff just along from Chop Shop Tavern. One to watch and we’re already fans from what we can see on socials.
Forno: opening right outside the Leytonstone tube. This Hackney fave already supplies tamping Ground but we cannot wait for an official outpost in our neighbourhood.