Leytonstone

Did you know that footballer David Beckham spent much of his youth in our area? To learn more, let’s take a ride on the Beckham Trail!

We begin our travels at Whipps Cross Hospital; David was born here in 1975 and lived as a young boy in Leytonstone with his family. Next, we travel northwest to Peter May Sports Centre, home to the Ridgeway Rovers, where young David scored more than 100 goals before he turned 10.

Nearby, we stop at Walthamstow Stadium on Chingford Road where David worked on greyhound race nights. When his grandparents lived in the council flats beside Ainslie Woods off Royston Avenue, David often played on the grounds. Our next destination is Chase Lane Junior School on York Road where David played on the school team, the Waltham Forest District team, and the Essex County team. Local parks where David played include Chase Lane, Larkswood, Mansfield, and Ridgeway. David’s education continued at Chingford Secondary School where he played in the Bobby Charlton Soccer Tournament. Our last stop is Gilwell Park where David attended cub cam