We have a host of top quality arts and wellness events and activities for the whole community to enjoy at Good Shepherd Studios. Scroll down to find out what's on.
Did you know we have 2 cinema screens at Good Shepherd Studios? Click image to find out what's screening.
We have a pop-up space next to Leytonstone Underground Station. Click image to find out what's popping up and how you can get involved.
Scroll down or click REGULARS to check out our weekly timetable of creative arts and wellness events.
One-off events are included in the HIGHLIGHTS section.
Watch this space to keep up-to-date with what’s going on!
HIGHLIGHTS
MatriArt Network: Taster Session
What is it?
👉 A place for m/others in the creative industries to come together in a facilitated space to:
☀️PLAY with simple creative exercises (like free writing / doodling / movement).
🧡SHARE accountability by discussing & troubleshooting upcoming projects.
🌈CONNECT through meeting other local mums working in the creative industries.
🤱🏽Crucially this will be a space for m/others and kids!
🌻Hosted by local mums and creative facilitators Chloe Young and Marie Hamilton.
📧 To join please email thelightwhenyouplay@gmail.com to reserve your space. You will receive email confirmation and further details on emailing.
Open Editions featuring Carne Griffiths
A networking evening for artists and art fans presented by Raw Canvas Editions and featuring the evocative works of Carne Griffiths as part of the Christmas show at Back To Ours café, Good Shepherd Studios.
This is an opportunity to meet fellow creatives, enjoy the show and celebrate the festive season together.
Exhibition run (Free entry): Wednesday 10th December - Monday 27th January
Open Editions night (Free entry): Friday 12th December, 18.30-20.30
Kids Eco-Fashion Workshop: Xmas Special
Join WE MAKE Kids Club and learn to make your own eco-friendly baubles and ornaments to add to your xmas tree!
These eco-fashion workshops are aimed at 5-11 year olds to turn their old clothes into something new!
WORKSHOP & FILM: The Muppet Christmas Carol
Join us for an afternoon of puppet making and Muppet merriment with Waltham Forest Cinema Project at Good Shepherd Studios!
We'll start the afternoon with a puppet making workshop with Olivier-award winning puppet maker Max Humphries –who has worked on projects with everyone from the National Theatre to the Cirque Du Soleil – giving you a chance to create a cheeky Christmas elf you can take home and enjoy (or gift to a loved one!).
Then we'll get cosy for a screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol in Good Shepherd's cinema space.
Worm Time Dialogues - Winter Solstice
This workshop is an invitation to slow down, listen, reflect, share and connect with yourself, others and nature. It is grounded in the principles and practice of Bohm Dialogue - a facilitated listening practice that allows individuals and groups to deeply enquire together, share meaning and create new thinking.
Peter's Pan: A Kitchen Sink Panto
An anarchic, interactive “kitchen sink pantomime” where all… well, nearly all… of the characters are vegetables! Help Peter escape the clutches of the evil Captain Cook, battling wise-cracking dirty dishes, magical “auber-genies” and cowboy corncobs!
Brought to you by Myths, Maps & Monsters- the duo behind Zeus' Birthday and the immersive Ancient-Greece-themed activity camps at GSS.
Make It Do It December Art Camp
Join us for a 2 day gorgeous childrens' arts and crafts camp, exploring Winter folk tales from around the world such as The Red Mitten, a Ukrainian story, and the Snow Queen by Danish author Hand Christian Andersen.
Optional wrap around care until 4.30pm available on both days.
The Sugar Pause Saturday Workshops
Join The Sugar Pause Workshop, a free 3-session wellbeing series for Black women in perimenopause living with pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Gain clear guidance on sugar, hormones, nutrition, and stress in a joyful, safe space designed to support your health, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.
Weekly Highlights
• Week 1: Understanding diabetes, menopause, and their impact on Black women
• Week 2: Nutrition & food – swaps, meal planning & delicious Afro-Caribbean inspired recipes
• Week 3: Stress management – mindfulness & wellbeing vision board creation session
This project is supported through the LTC Small Grants Programme for Black and South Asian-led organisations in Waltham Forest.
GIG: Folk Music Concert
Phil Tyler & Sarah Hill present raw, moving interpretations of traditional song, praised by Richard Dawson as deeply inspirational.
They’re joined by psych-folk pioneers The Owl Service and guitarist/banjoist Jason Steel, whose work blends British folk traditions, narrative songwriting, and the American primitive movement.
An intimate night of exceptional acoustic music.
Introduction to Nature friendly garden design
Learn the basics of garden design and how to create a beautiful space that supports nature.
In the morning, we will cover design principles, garden styles, planting and hard landscaping. In the afternoon, there will be a chance to try out the new techniques and develop a design for your own space.
The course works best if you have a space in mind that you want to work on, but it's not a prerequisite. No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to have a go.
All materials are provided and you will leave with a goody bag to help you to continue your design journey at home.
Make Your Own Festive Light Decoration
Join artist Vasu for a hands-on workshop inspired by bold festival illuminations across the world. Make your own mini light box to explore festive patterns threading LED light strings. You’ll leave with a piece that brings together craft, technology and culture!
All materials provided. Your finished piece is for indoor display and will include a battery holder.
No experience necessary, just enthusiasm!
Suitable for children 7+
How many tickets if attending with a child?
1 ticket per family is fine; you will receive 1 light box per ticket. If you would like to make more than 1, please book an additional ticket.
Do parents have to stay for the workshop?
No, parents can head over to the onsite cafe, Back To Ours (just in case your kid needs the toilet, for example) and collect your children at the end of the session.
Seaglass: Vintage Homewares
Vintage homewares from the shores of France and the UK. Unique pieces that will make your space sing!
A Christmas Carol Abridged
It’s becoming a bit of a Christmas tradition for us at Good Shepherd Studios! Come an enjoy a quick dose of culture provided by a group of local players.
No need to pre-book, just turn up and enjoy. Suitable for children and adults.
Doors open at 12.15.
FREE ENTRY (RETIRING COLLECTION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE FOOD HUB)
CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS - Festive Overwhelm to Balance: Retreat & Reset Workshop
Parenting during the holidays often feels like being an exhausted project manager, and we know you deserve better. This 90-Minute Festive Retreat is your chance to reclaim your calm before Christmas chaos hits!
Restorative Yoga
Slow Sundays, setting sun, easy poses and soft breaths and so much support, this is a practice of deep rest.
Extended restorative Yoga is usually a comfortable, accessible and potentially quite healing practice.
From Jessica:
I offer a supportive and subtle space as I lead this beautiful practice that makes time to reset, recover, to focus on the experience within and allows your body to move in a gentle and hopefully therapeutic way. Suitable for almost every-body, ability and brain.
Very limited space. Advanced booking essential.
Talk: Arctic Voyage
Join the Novara crew as they share their journey through the Arctic Northwest Passage — one of the most remote sailing routes on Earth.
Hear firsthand about:
⚓ The preparation and planning behind the voyage
🌬️ The highs and lows of life at high latitudes
🌄 The wildlife and the breathtaking beauty of the Arctic
FREE ENTRY
Common Table Fundraiser
A community crowdfunder for Olive Roots Collective to continue their work for Palestine. Expect workshops, food and a raffle for all ages and backgrounds.
Picnic and Planters: Picnic Brunch and Planting
Flying Sycamores Forest School are super excited to have been awarded money from the Waltham Forest Community Ward Fund to build two planters at the Good Shepherd Studio forest school space. We will be building the planters and planting them with beautiful medicinal herbs and plants that we can use in forest school sessions.
On 23 November from 10.30-12.30 we will be celebrating our amazing forest school community who have been helping the forest school grow into a nurturing and fun space to play in.
Come in your wellies, bring a picnic (we will bring plenty too!), join the celebration in the garden at Good Shepherd Studios and get those strong arms ready to fill the planters and plant them up.
This event is suitable for children who can walk and those who like to build. However if your child is crawling and likes mud, then please do bring them along too!
Picnic and Planters: Woodwork Warm Up
Flying Sycamores Forest School are super excited to have been awarded money from the Waltham Forest Community Ward Fund to build two planters at the Good Shepherd Studio forest school space. We will be building the planters and planting them with beautiful medicinal herbs and plants that we can use in forest school sessions.
Get your carpentry skills up to scratch in our warm up session on Tuesday 4 November!
We will run the Tuesday session as normal from 10-11 and then afterwards we will get our carpentry tools out and start to construct from 11.00-12.00.
Join us for Part 2 on Sunday 23 November too…
Worm Time Dialogues - Samhain
This workshop is an invitation to slow down, listen, reflect, share and connect with yourself, others and nature. It is grounded in the principles and practice of Bohm Dialogue - a facilitated listening practice that allows individuals and groups to deeply enquire together, share meaning and create new thinking.
CINEMA: We are making a film about Mark Fisher
7:00pm Doors Open
7:30-9:00pm Film Screening
9:30-10.30pm Post Screening Social
Myths, Maps & Monsters Half Term Day Camp: Orpheus vs Cerberus! (Thursday)
The second instalment of our two-day October holiday camp sees the famous musician Orpheus, hailed by some as the Justin Bieber of Ancient Greece (but don't let that put you off), travel to the underworld to rescue the soul of a dear friend. Only problem is, a three-headed canine called Cerberus is (quite literally) hell-bent on spoiling the party!
Only for children aged 5+
Drumming and Creative Workshops for Grief
Led by local musician and writer Amie, these are creative sessions for those going through grief exploring writing (journaling, poetry etc), collage work and drumming.
The sessions are free and take place on Wednesdays 18.00-20.00 from 29th October - 3rd December.
Myths, Maps & Monsters Half Term Day Camp: Voyage of Pegasus!(Wednesday)
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's only everyone's favourite flying horse, soaring through the skies of East London in search of adventure, glory, and maybe a nice oat latte from Gail's.
Myths, Maps & Monsters return to the Good Shepherd Studios this October for an entire day of Pegasus-themed mayhem!
Only for children aged 5+
Make It Do It: Half Term Camp
Our theme for this hands-on art camp will be 'Artists in Conversation', looking at two brilliant exhibitions in London at the moment: Kiefer/Van Gogh' at the RA and Giacometti with Mona Hatoum at the Barbican.
We'll draw, paint, sculpt, play and learn!
Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th October 9.30am-3.30pm (with an optional wraparound hour at the end)
Suitable for ages 5-10 year olds
£110 full priced places, £95 subsequent siblings
Some subsidised places are available; we'd love to hear from you if your family could benefit from these email Make It Do It at makeitdoitlondon@googlemail.com for more information
Gig: Blair Jollands & El Hula
Artist in residence at Good Shepherd Studios, Blair Jollands, returns to The Annex with his band El Hula to perform an intimate evening of music from his recent LP Little Comet and selections from his critically acclaimed, impressive back catalog.
The Healing Table: Sisterhood session
The Healing Table invites you to a Sisterhood Session—a gentle space to pause, reconnect, and just be.
This gathering is designed to help us:
Reconnect with ourselves and each other Exchange positive reflections
Refocus on the future with clarity and hope
Together, we will share stories, encouragement, and quiet moments of grounding in a safe, supportive environment.
Restorative Yoga
Slow Sundays, late mornings, low light, long shadows, easy poses and soft breaths and so much support, this is a practice of deep rest.
Extended restorative Yoga is usually a comfortable, accessible and potentially quite healing practice.
On offer, is a supportive and subtle space as Jessica leads this beautiful practice that makes time to reset, recover, to focus on the experience within and allows your body to move in a gentle and hopefully therapeutic way. Suitable for almost every-body, ability and brain.
Very limited space. Advanced booking essential.
The Power of Letting Go: Breathwork Session
A 90-minuted guided breathwork session designed to help you let go of built-up emotion, stress and tension - so you can come back to calm, clarity and connection.
Open House 2025
2 days filled with activities and a chance to meet some of the people involved in bringing life to Good Shepherd Studios, Our Pastures Community Garden and the Pastures Centre.
SATURDAY UPDATED PROGRAMME HERE
(Updates are shown in pink)
This event is part of Open House Festival and is also part of and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and the Mayor of London, as part of the Mayor’s Community Weekend 2025.
FREE to attend but booking advised for Tasters, Workshops, Tours & Walks. All other activities are “Drop-in”.
Restorative Yoga
Slow Sundays, late mornings, low light, long shadows, easy poses and soft breaths and so much support, this is a practice of deep rest.
Extended restorative Yoga is usually a comfortable, accessible and potentially quite healing practice.
On offer, is a supportive and subtle space as Jessica leads this beautiful practice that makes time to reset, recover, to focus on the experience within and allows your body to move in a gentle and hopefully therapeutic way. Suitable for almost every-body, ability and brain.
Very limited space. Advanced booking essential.
Make It Do It: Summer Camp (August)
This camp will be themed “20th Century Women” and will trailblazing, re-defining female artists. Think Louise Bourgeois, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alma Thomas and lots more.
Tuesday 26th - Friday 29th August
9.30am-3.30pm
Suitable for ages 5-10 year olds
£220 full priced places, £180 subsequent siblings
Some subsidised places are available; we'd love to hear from you if your family could benefit from these
Myths, Maps & Monsters Summer Day Camp: Minotaur Mayhem! (Thursday)
Our brave adventurers drop in on Ancient Athens, where King Aegues is having some problems with his pirate neighbours from Krete! Can our young Athenians sail across the seas, enter the labyrinth beneath King Minos' palace, and defeat the Minotaur?
An immersive, interactive summer holiday activity camp, where young adventurers must complete a series of super-fun challenges in order to defeat famous, mythical beasts from Greek Mythology. Our brave warriors-in-waiting can expect to try their hand at Cyclops archery, have a water fight with Poseidon and play the Minotaur at basketball!
Only for children aged 5+
Myths, Maps & Monsters Summer Day Camp: Cyclops Escape! (Wednesday)
It is the year 1200 BCE and Odysseus and his army find themselves trapped in a Cyclops' cave! Our brave young warriors must use teamwork, cunning and skill in order to complete a series of tasks, outsmart the Cyclops and return home to victory!
An immersive, interactive summer holiday activity camp, where young adventurers must complete a series of super-fun challenges in order to defeat famous, mythical beasts from Greek Mythology.
Our brave warriors-in-waiting can expect to try their hand at Cyclops archery, have a water fight with Poseidon and play the Minotaur at basketball!
Only for children aged 5+
The Power of Letting Go: Breathwork Taster Session
A 90-minuted guided breathwork session designed to help you let go of built-up emotion, stress and tension - so you can come back to calm, clarity and connection.
Worm Time Dialogues - Lammas
This workshop is an invitation to slow down, listen, reflect, share and connect with yourself, others and nature. It is grounded in the principles and practice of Bohm Dialogue - a facilitated listening practice that allows individuals and groups to deeply enquire together, share meaning and create new thinking.
Make It Do It: Summer Camp (July)
This camp will be themed “Houses and Homes” and will involve an exploration of art and architecture including Do Ho Shu, le Corbusier, and Rachel Whiteread. Expect sketching, model making, paper crafting and sculpting.
Monday 28th July - Thursday 31st July
9.30am-3.30pm
Suitable for ages 5-10 year olds
£220 full priced places, £180 subsequent siblings
Some subsidised places are available; we'd love to hear from you if your family could benefit from these
Leytonstone Festival Restival: Morning restorative yoga
Restorative Yoga practice is the perfect Sunday morning celebration.
Restful, relaxing and reviving. This Yoga practice is supportive, floor based and a great way to deepen recovery.
The Power of Letting Go: Breathwork Taster Session
A 90-minuted guided breathwork session designed to help you let go of built-up emotion, stress and tension - so you can come back to calm, clarity and connection.
Animal Flow Evening Taster Session
Not heard of Animal Flow? Intrigued?
Join Emerald Strength for a taster of this ground based movement programme designed to improve flexibility, power, strength, balance and coordination.
REGULARS
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Little Sing Song
MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS, 9.30 & 10.30
Term Time + Pop ups
Join Danie and start your day with a fun-filled singalong loved by little ones and their grown ups alike!
Nursery rhymes | Classical | Jazz | Folk | Reggae and more.
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Magic Box
MONDAYS, 16.00
Term Time (No session on Monday 24th November)
Join Lottie on an interactive storytelling adventure where kids help tell a story based on the odd things she finds in her Magic Box!
Expect songs, movement and silly stories - and a whole lot of imagination!
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Iyengar Yoga
MONDAYS, 19.15
Ongoing
Join Disha at her welcoming and accessible class open to all including beginners.
What is Iyengar yoga? A form of yoga which focuses on precision and alignment through poses (aka asanas).
BOOK VIA EMAIL OR TEXT
Email: disha.sughand@gmail.com
Text: 07812634223
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Flying Sycamores Forest School
TUESDAYS, 10.00
Term Time
An introduction to ‘forest school’ activities and ideas, such as nature-inspired craft, to increase enjoyment of the outdoors and ultimately look to connect with nature in a profound and enjoyable way.
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Wellbeing Cafe
TUESDAYS, 10.30
FREE, DROP IN
The Wellbeing Café hosted by Mind offers 10 weekly face-to-face sessions for residents of Waltham Forest aged 18 years or older and are particularly well-suited to those who experience low mood, anxiety, loneliness, or social isolation.
The café offers social time, wellbeing sessions, activities, advice and learning sessions.
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Baby Dance
TUESDAYS, 10.30
Term Time (Current term ends 2nd December)
Join Fiona at this class where caregivers can come along and dance with their babies aged 0-9 months (slings not essential).
No baby music, just fun, uplifting tunes and a chance to dance, while are babies enjoy the movement.
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After School Art Club
TUESDAYS, 16.00
Term Time
Led by experienced and professional artists and artist educators, join Irene at this art club aimed at 5-10 year olds where all skills levels welcome.
Expect engaging and inspiring projects, a safe and supportive environment, fun and relaxed atmosphere, creative freedom, enhanced critical thinking, affordable pricing and opportunities for showcasing and celebrating achievements.
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*FROM JANUARY*: Leytonstone Adult Acting Course
TUESDAYS, 18.30
Ongoing (Commencing 13th January)
Welcome to the Leytonstone Adult Acting Course. This is a space for all levels (beginners and professionals).
Each term we will cover a different era of theatre and explore multiple practitioners to help you delve deeply into multiple acting techniques.
The sessions will help you not only feel more confident as a performer, but help you understand new ways to approach text so that you can feel secure in performing outside of the classes.
Standard: £13 per session
Low/No Income: £6.50 per session
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Musical Theatre Choir
Current term ends 2nd December (Performance on 9th December). Next term runs 13th January - 31st March
Welcome to the first East London Sing Space Show choir. Here is the place to improve your singing technique, learn Musical Theatre numbers with great harmony and belt out your favourite showtunes! Run by performer and composer Marissa Landy who is a Leytonstone local.
No auditions, all welcome.
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The Mindful Parent Hub: Parental Wellbeing Workshops*NEW(ish)
WEDNESDAYS, 11.45
10 Workshop series (Drop ins welcome)
The Parental Wellbeing Workshops are back!
Parenting is a beautiful journey, but let's face it it can be challenging! That's why Life Coach Gemma Dean and Artist Sima Rahman-Huang, have joined forces to bring you an 10-week series designed to support, inspire and uplift.
These 90-minute workshops are a mix of insightful discussions, creative activities, and practical techniques to help you thrive. No need to commit to every workshop; pick those that suit you!
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Animal Flow
WEDNESDAYS, 12.05
Ongoing (No classes 17th, 24th or 31st December)
Join Emerald Strength for this ground based movement programme designed to improve flexibility, power, strength, balance and coordination. All levels welcome (including beginners).
LOW/NO INCOME CODE: AF25 offered on an honesty basis
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Womens' Wellbeing Cafe
THURSDAYS, 10.30
FREE, DROP IN
The Wellbeing Café hosted by Mind offers 10 weekly face-to-face sessions for women of Waltham Forest and are particularly well-suited to those who experience low mood, anxiety, loneliness, or social isolation.
The café offers social time, wellbeing sessions, activities, advice and learning sessions.
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Communi-Tea
THURSDAYS, 14.00
Ongoing
FREE weekly creative, social and physical wellbeing meet-ups for over 50s. Each session includes a satisfying combination of:
- 14.00: Chair-based Yoga-inspired exercise
- 15.00: Hot drink and snacks
- 15.30: Weekly activities on rotation
No pre-booking required, just drop in and if you have any comments or questions you can contact Jessica on 07904 517465 or contact@jessicagreen.net.
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Barre and Baby
FRIDAYS, 10.20
Ongoing
A low impact fitness class specifically adapted for the postnatal body. To help build muscle strength, improve posture and restore your core. All while being with your baby, moving to good tunes and boosting those endorphins!
It is suitable for mums from six weeks post-birth (ensuring you have been cleared by your doctor), up until babies are nine months. All abilities welcome.
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Community Pilates
FRIDAYS, 12.15
Term Time (No class on 28th November)
A mat-based pilates classes for everyone!
Not only will this class help your fitness, it will help the community too...Thanks to the generosity of the instructors, your payment goes towards community projects taking place at Good Shepherd Studios!
Back to your fitness...
We will work the entire body through a series of repetitive exercises, helping to improve your strength, coordination and mobility.
If you’re a complete beginner, great! We’ll start with the basics and layer from there.
If you’re working with injuries there are plenty of adaptations.
If you’re looking to build on your existing expertise then there are lots of progressions and equipment for us to use.
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Vinyasa Flow Yoga
SATURDAYS, 9.30
Ongoing
Start the weekend with some high spirited yoga, playlist and relaxation that will leave you feeling more open, aware and alive.
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Monthly Eco-Fashion Kids Workshops
SATURDAYS, 10.30
15th November: Bring an old jumper and add your festive touch!
13th December: Eco-friendly baubles and ornaments
17th January: No-sew tiny pillow
A space where children get to make their own clothes!
These eco-fashion workshops are aimed at 5-11 year olds to turn their old clothes into something new!
Led by Aurelie, who studied fashion design, children will learn practical skills like sewing, painting on fabric and embellishing in an accessible way.
Make it, wear it!
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Monthly Life Drawing Social
1st SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, 18.00
Ongoing: 2nd November, 7th December
Monthly life drawing class suited to all abilities and although untutored, advice and direction is freely given on request. Materials included.
Experienced and dynamic life models each week.
Class consists of 2 × 50min sessions with 15min social interval. The first session includes quick short poses ranging from 1min to 10mins. The second session involves 2 longer poses.
PAST EVENTS
PASTURES
We share the site with the Pastures Centre and the beautiful Our Pastures Community Garden.
USEFUL INFO
Getting to Good Shepherd Studios
Located within the same grounds as the Pastures Centre, surrounded by green space and with an on-site café (Back to Ours), Good Shepherd Studios is a homely space where all are welcome... you just need to find us!
Our address:
Good Shepherd Studios
15a Davies Lane
E11 3DR
We strongly encourage walking, cycling or using public transport to visit Good Shepherd Studios.
Nearest stations: Leytonstone High Road (Overground) and Leytonstone (Central line)
Nearest bus stops: Leytonstone High Road station Stop J and Stop F (257 and W13).
Parking: There is no parking onsite but restricted street parking is available nearby.
Please check the Waltham Forest Council website and street signs for up-to-date restrictions.
Vehicle restrictions at time of writing:
Controlled Parking Zone: LSE, Permit holders only, Mon-Fri, 10am – 2pm
School Street (Davies Lane east of the junction with Pastures Path): No travel into the zone during term time between 8.30am and 9.15am and 3.00pm and 3.45pm.
Accessibility
There is no lift in the building. There is, however, step-free access available to the ground floor (including toilets).
The Auditorium is located on the 1st floor and only accessible via steps.
The Annex is located on the ground floor and there is step-free access to this space.
If you have any access requirements, please feel free to contact the event organiser or us on enquiries@goodshepherdstudios.com
Short on cash?
We want all our events to be accessible to the community so each event and activity on this page offers discounted entry if the pricing would otherwise mean you wouldn’t be able to join in. No verification, no stigma, just get in touch with those running the event/activity and they’ll sort it out.