Walters Close stands as a quiet oasis on the fringe of the busy Elephant & Castle in South East London.

John Walters (Clerk to the Drapers’ Company 1616 – 1656) founded his Southwark almshouses in the 1650s and Walters Close was born as a part of that project. Social change and war eventually forced several moves for the close until it ended up where you find it today, in Brandon Street, Walworth.

With this last move in 1961 just one new building was constructed. Ten years later a second block was added, set side by side with the first both blocks being joined by a row of living units.

Life at Walter's Close
Each side (it is automatic to talk about “your side” and “our side”) of Walters Close has a garden with a lawn set around with benches and chairs for those who wish to sit outdoors during the summer months.

Both gardens comprise herbaceous borders surrounding the lawns containing a mixture of roses, pansies, michaelmas daisies, sunflowers, sweet peas, geraniums and more plus various herbs such as chives and parsley. To keep the costs of a professional gardener at bay tenants offer their services to keep the gardens going and everybody is grateful for the hard work and dedication shown by our band of volunteers.

Unimaginably different from several centuries ago the Walters Close of today is divided into 43 living units. These units comprise a mixture of bedsits, one and two bedroom flats. Each unit is provided with hot water and central heating paid for as part of the tenant’s standing charge. In addition double-glazing was recently installed throughout the Close.

We have a large Common Room that is busy during the week. Bingo takes place on Monday afternoon. Tuesday mornings are given over to our hairdresser who calls on a weekly basis to wash, cut and set resident’s hair.

Thursday evening is social evening when those who wish to meet play dominoes, cards, bagatelle or just chat.

As far as entertainment is concerned the Hall (as it is generally known) is used to receive guests such as the Master and Wardens for a yearly Summer Tea Party. The social group also hold their parties there throughout the year and of course our Christmas party is a regular part of the scene. Residents’ committee meetings are also held here.

A washroom with two washing machines and a clothes dryer are housed next to the hall, an extremely popular facility with residents as this amenity is free of charge.

The Surroundings of Walter's Close
Being situated in Brandon Street means we have the East Street Market on our doorstep. This is an invaluable source of cheap fruit and vegetables, clothes, toys, shoes etc. It also has its share of cafes where one can meet up with friends for a chinwag and a cuppa.

The local Walworth Road is handy for buses and bus routes. One has a choice of reaching Camberwell, Dulwich and beyond in one direction, New Cross, Lewisham, Catford, Bromley in another and a pot-pourri of destinations such as the City, Blackfriars, the Strand, Victoria etc in a third direction. We are also near the Elephant and Castle underground system which offers a choice of both Northern and Bakerloo lines.

And last but by no means least the famous Elephant and Castle shopping centre is a mere stone’s throw away. This conglomerate offers a wide choice of stores such as Iceland, Tesco, Woolworth’s, W.H.Smith and so on. One can even play bingo for high stakes there.

Links
The Drapers' Company
London Borough of Southwark
Images of Walworth