Walford 1031873 213703602 2008-05-20T14:13:44Z Smjg 38198 tpyo {{Unreferenced|date=December 2007}} :''For real places called Walford, see [[Walford (disambiguation)]]'' '''Walford''' is a fictional [[London borough|borough]] of [[East London, England|East London]] in the popular [[BBC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]''. The name suggests a conflation of [[Walthamstow]] and [[Stratford, London|Stratford]], both real places in East London. Walford has a fictional [[London postal district]], [[London E20]], and a fictional [[tube station]], [[Walford East]], which is located on the ''EastEnders'' [[tube map]] in the position normally occupied by the real [[Bromley-by-Bow tube station]]. ''EastEnders'' is actually filmed at [[Borehamwood, England|Borehamwood]] in Hertfordshire, towards the north-west of [[London]]. Much of the location work is filmed in nearby [[Watford]], a large town in Hertfordshire situated about 8 miles from [[Borehamwood]]. Locations used in Watford are: The [[cemetery]] (where most of the deceased characters are interred), most interior and exterior church scenes of various churches, the snooker club, and the County / Magistrate Courtrooms. It has been suggested that [[Watford]] was chosen for much of the exterior scenes due to its close proximity, and that the town name is so similar to Walford. Thus, any stray road signs or advertising boards which are accidentally filmed in the back of shots will appear to read Walford.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ==Places of interest== Walford's most famous setting is [[Albert Square]], but there are many other places in Walford that have gained notoriety. ===Bridge Street=== '''Bridge Street''' is the main street in to Albert Square and is home to the Walford [[street market]], which includes a fruit and vegetable stall previous run by [[Pete Beale]], [[Mark Fowler]] and [[Martin Fowler]]. Businessman [[Ian Beale]] once planned to remove the market in favour of a [[shopping mall|shopping centre]], much to the dislike of the residents and his family. In [[2004]], the residents celebrated 100 years of the market. Bridge Street also includes many the majority of the businesses, there is a mini-[[supermarket]] named Minute Mart (formerly First 'Til Last) which is currently owned by [[Patrick Trueman|Patrick]] and [[Yolande Trueman]]. There is also a [[laundromat|launderette]] which is owned by Mr Papadopoulos, though he is rarely seen. [[Dot Branning]] worked at the launderette along with [[Pauline Fowler]] for over 30 years until Pauline's death in 2006, Dot continues to manage the laundrette and has had various people to help cover Pauline's shift, namely: [[Shirley Carter]], [[Yolande Trueman]] and now [[Heather Trott]] and [[Honey Mitchell]] share the role. The launderette is often seen as a mystery for viewers who wonder why nobody owns a [[washing machine]], however [[Garry Hobbs]] and [[Rick 'Minty' Peterson|Minty Peterson]], Ian Beale and the Millers' houses have recently been seen with washing machines. Also in Bridge Street is the Bridge Street [[coffeehouse|Café]], which is currently owned by Ian Beale (also known as "Kathy's", after Ian's mother). It is understood to be given the name ''Bridge Street'' because of the rail bridge, the sounds of trains going past are often heard. ===Victoria Square=== '''Victoria Square''' is home to a number of bedsits that are considered to be low-class, these are usually used when characters find themselves homeless. ===George Street=== The houses in '''George Street''' would seem to be a step up from the houses in Albert Square. There is also the Argee Bhajee, an [[Indian cuisine|Indian]] restaurant. ===Turpin Way=== '''Turpin Way''' includes the local garage The Arches which was bought by the Mitchell brothers when they first arrived in the Square (it was briefly known as Beale's Wheels when Ian Beale owned it). There is also a [[community centre]] (briefly a gym) and nearby is the playground. ===Turpin Road===<!-- This section is linked from [[EastEnders]] --> In '''Turpin Road''' there is a [[post office]], a [[bookmaker]]s and Beale's Plaice, the local chip shop, owned by [[Ian Beale]]. The Turpin Road [[war memorial]] is also here, it pays tribute to residents of Walford who perished in the [[World War I|First]] and [[World War II|Second World Wars]]. However, in real life the memorial features names of people involved with ''EastEnders'' along with past stars. There is also a [[nightclub]] called [[R&R (EastEnders)|R&R]]. It was originally named The Market Cellar until [[George Palmer (EastEnders)|George Palmer]] bought the club and renamed it the Cobra Club. When Palmer moved, he sold it to [[Steve Owen]] who renamed it e20 (the club's most well-known title). It was then sold to [[Sharon Rickman|Sharon Watts]] who named it Angie's Den. In 2005 the club extended its space when [[Johnny Allen (EastEnders)|Johnny Allen]] bought the next door [[snooker]] club. It was named Scarlet after Johnny Allen's daughter who died in a fire. In 2007 [[Ronnie Mitchell]] revealed her plans to buy Scarlet, which she did with her business partner [[Jack Branning]]. Ronnie and sister [[Roxy Mitchell]] named it R&R after their names: Ronnie and Roxy. ==See also== *[[Albert Square]] *[[Walford East]] *[[List of buildings in EastEnders]] ==External links== *[http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/places/ BBC map of Walford] {{EastEnders}} [[Category:EastEnders locations]] [[Category:Fictional neighborhoods]] [[Category:Fictional cities and towns in England]] [[ht:Walford, Iowa]]