Walthamstow Village is an ancient nucleus of present-day Walthamstow, located in North East London. Designated a Conservation Area by the London Borough of Waltham Forest in 1967, it centres on St. Mary's Church, which was founded in the 12th century. Across the road from this is a 15th-century timber-framed "hall house" which locals have dubbed "The Ancient House". Nearby are almshouses dating from the 16th and 18th centuries, and "Vestry House", which has been used as a workhouse and police station, but has been a museum since 1931.