Some Chingford Walls is a community research project about everyday heritage and the value we place on seemingly mundane things.


The focus of the project is on a particular type of residential wall. The walls are known to be burr walls, made of re-used ‘waster’ bricks from the brickworks that once stood at the foot of Pole Hill. The walls and the brickworks are a significant part of Chingford's heritage and its 
development as a suburb.

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The bricks are often blistered and burnt, irregular in shape and size. As a result, no wall is alike. The bonds and brick patterns that are often familiar to us today, take an entirely different form in a Chingford Wall. Each wall is unique and special because of how irregular they are.





Some Chingford Walls is a project led by local Illustrator Rachel Lillie. Her aim is to document the walls, tell the story of their origin and build a discussion around the value that they bring to our streets. Rachel would like to reach as many residents as possible to help create a unique collection of community references about our Chingford Walls, our history and future heritage.



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20th - 22nd September
228 Chingford Mount Road



Take part in resident discussions, creative writing, and mono-printing sessions, or drop in anytime to explore our project archive or chat.

We’re inviting residents of all ages to join in and share their thoughts, stories, 
and any historical information about the walls.

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Workshop Schedule:

20.09 - Talking
Resident Discussion / 1 - 3pm
Register here

Contribute to community research and a growing archive about Chingford's burr walls. Share thoughts, information and discuss. Register to let us know you’re coming or drop in.



21.09 - Making
Monoprint Walls (session 1) 1 - 12pm
Book a place here

Monoprint Walls (session 2) 2 - 3pm
Book a place here

Make 'one off' prints taking inspiration from Chingford's burr walls. Family friendly.



22.09 - Writing
Walls & Words / 1 - 4pm
Book a place here

Creative Writing workshop for residents to explore ideas around place and Chingford's burr walls
with Rachel Lillie and Jane Brittan.





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Rachel would love to hear your thoughts, stories, memories or any other
information you have relating to the walls.


  What do you think of your wall?

  How long have you lived here for? What is your earliest memory of your wall?

  Do you have any past or present photos that document the walls?

  Do you know anything about their construction? When, how, who made them?

  Do you have any family history relating to the brickfields?

  Do you have any family history relating to Chingford's early building trades?

  Or do you know anyone who might have connections to their origin and construction?

  Do you have any examples of how the walls have been conserved or cared for?

  Do you have any examples of how materials can be reused for new purposes?


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Rachel would love to hear from you or if you have any other information, stories or questions about to the walls - please get in touch!

-> somechingfordwalls@gmail.com <-





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The map is an on-going inventory of the walls that are left in Chingford and it’s neighbour Highams Park. If you know of any other walls, or if any have now gone, please get in touch.