All visiting restrictions introduced during COVID-19 have now been lifted.
To help us provide the best possible care, we kindly ask visitors to avoid coming between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM, if possible. We understand this may not always be convenient, but please consider if you can when planning your visit.
If you’re unsure about visiting hours for a specific ward, please speak with the ward team directly or contact us via the hospital switchboard: Call Whipps Cross: 020 8539 5522
Familiarise yourself with our visitors information
Whipps Cross Hospital is located in Leytonstone in the East End of London, within the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
You can travel to hospital in a number of ways including on foot, by car, by bike or by public transport. Plan your journey using the Transport for London journey planner or through the travel information below.
TfL can offer advice on planning a journey using an accessible route and can provide a mentor to come with you for your first few journeys to help you gain confidence and become an independent traveller, to find out more complete TfL’s form online.
By bus
Buses W12, W15, W19 and 357 stop within the hospital grounds, you can alight at the main entrance stop. Buses 20, 56, 230 and 257 also all stop near the hospital grounds at the Whipps Cross roundabout. Low-floor wheelchair accessible buses run on all routes serving Whipps Cross University Hospital.
By tube
The closest underground stations are Leytonstone on the central line and Walthamstow Central on the Victoria line. Wood Street and Walthamstow Central are on London Overground line running from Chingford to Liverpool Street or Leyton Midland Road is on the London Overground line running from Barking to Gospel Oak.
Leytonstone can be reached within a 29 minute walk from the main entrance of Whipps Cross Hospital, the main entrance is the furthest away it will take less time to reach other departments as the hospital is spread across a large area and the main entrance is the furthest away from the direction of Leytonstone.
Alternatively it is possible to cycle to these stations or use one of the bus services operating within the vicinity of the site.
Walthamstow Central can be reached within a 33 minute walk and Wood Street can be reached in an 11 minute walk from the main entrance of Whipps Cross Hospital. Alternatively it is possible to cycle to these stations or use one of the bus services operating within the vicinity of the site.
A number of these bus services provide connections to local underground and overground railway stations, the W15 and W19 stop at Leytonstone tube station (Central line), the 230 goes to Wood Street (Overground) and the 20, 230, 257, 357, W12, W15 and W19 all stop at Walthamstow Central (Victoria and Overground).
Freedom passes
Older persons Freedom Pass- The Freedom Pass for older people allows free travel across London and free local bus journeys nationally.
Disabled persons Freedom Pass- The travel pass for disabled people allows free travel across London and free bus journeys nationally. You can use your pass on most journeys across London but there are a few exceptions to when and where you can use your card.
A 60+ London Oyster photocard- allows you to travel free on public transport in London from the age of 60 until you qualify for a Freedom Pass. To be eligible for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, you must: Live in a London borough and be aged 60 or over.
To find out more about the above listed Freedom passes visit the London Councils website.
By car or taxi
Parking on the hospital site is limited; we encourage patients and visitors not to travel by car wherever this is possible. The main entrance to the hospital is on Whipps Cross Road (the A114) between the Whipps Cross roundabout and the Green Man roundabout. There are approximately 400 parking spaces for patients and visitors on the site - located in four visitor car parks. Car parks one and two are located just off Hospital Road. The best route to these car parks is via the main entrance on Whipps Cross Road.
- Car park one should be used for the main entrance, chest clinic and MRI.
- Car park two should be used for main entrance, eye treatment centre and plane tree centre.
- Car park three is located just off Hospital Road, but is located behind the maternity unit. The best route to this car park is via the James Lane entrance. This car park should be used for maternity, antenatal, and outpatients.
- Car park four located near the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. This car park is in high demand, and space availability is limited.
Pay and display machines are available in all car park areas. Please ensure your ticket is clearly displayed in the windscreen:
- Up to two hours: £2.50
- Up to four hours: £4.00
- Up to six hours: £6.00
- Up to eight hours: £8.00
- Up to 24 hours: £15.00
There are also a number of places which may be used for dropping off or picking up patients. They can be found in the following locations:
- Opposite the maternity main entrance - three drop-off bays for women in labour or partners collecting mothers and babies. These are clearly marked.
- Emergency and urgent care centre drop off - there are four bays located opposite the entrance. These have a time limit of 10 minutes maximum to drop off patients. Drivers must then return to their vehicles and park in a visitors car park (the nearest is car park one).
Infopoint help-points allow you to make free calls to taxi companies and public transport information lines to arrange your journey home. There are infopoints located at the Main entrance, Antenatal, Eye Clinic, Urgent Care Centre and Outpatients at Whipps Cross Hospital.
Blue badge holders
We provide 69 designated parking spaces for patients and visitors with blue badges, conveniently located across all parking areas and clearly indicated. Our car parking team routinely monitors these areas to ensure proper usage — blue badges should be clearly displayed where possible. It's important to note that blue badge holders are exempt from parking fees in these designated spaces.
Refunds of hospital transport costs
You may be able to claim a refund for the cost of your transport to hospital through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) if you:
- are not eligible for patient transport services (PTS)
- cannot afford the cost of travelling to hospital
- cannot get a friend or relative to take you
Refer to Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) for more information on who is eligible, what the conditions are and how you can access the scheme.
By bike
We encourage visitors, staff and patients living nearby to cycle to the hospital if possible. Cycle parking facilities are available around the hospital.
The hospital appears on TfL’s Local Cycling Guide 4. You can order this guide for free by calling 0343 222 1234.
OFO dockless bike sharing operates in the London borough of Waltham Forest, you can find our OFO bike location at the main entrance of the hospital. For access to these bikes download the OFO app.
Finding your way around Whipps Cross Hospital
Download a map of the hospital
