History of Tottenham in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 17, 2025

Tottenham is a district in north London, part of the London Borough of Haringey, and located within Greater London. Situated 6 miles north-northeast of Charing Cross, it shares borders with Edmonton to the north, Walthamstow to the east, Stamford Hill to the south, and Wood Green and Harringay to the west.

1901: Tottenham cake sold by Henry Chalkley

Around 1901, Tottenham cake was originally sold by the baker Henry Chalkley at the price of one old penny.

1918: Constituency boundaries redrawn

In 1918, the boundaries of the Tottenham parliamentary constituency were redrawn, and Tottenham was divided into two separate constituencies: Tottenham North and Tottenham South.

September 1934: Municipal borough

On 27 September 1934, Tottenham became a municipal borough.

1934: Municipal borough

In 1934, Tottenham was reconstituted as a municipal borough.

August 1940: First air raid on London

During the Second World War, on 24 August 1940, bombs fell in Elmar Road, Tottenham, during the first air raid on London.

March 1945: V-2 hit

During the Second World War, on 15 March 1945, Tottenham received a V-2 hit.

1950: Constituency reinstated

In 1950, the Tottenham parliamentary constituency was reinstated.

1963: Local Government Act

Under the Local Government Act 1963, Tottenham became part of the larger London Borough of Haringey.

April 1965: Part of the London Borough of Haringey

From 1 April 1965, the municipal borough formed part of the London Borough of Haringey together with Hornsey and Wood Green.

1965: Borough merger

In 1965, the borough of Tottenham merged with the municipal boroughs of Hornsey and Wood Green to form the London Borough of Haringey.

1965: Part of the London Borough of Haringey

Under the Local Government Act, in 1965, Tottenham became part of the larger London Borough of Haringey.

2000: David Lammy wins by-election

In 2000, David Lammy won a by-election for the Tottenham parliamentary constituency following the death of Bernie Grant.

August 2011: Tottenham riots

In August 2011, the Tottenham riots occurred following the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan by police officers on 4 August 2011. Attacks were carried out on two police cars, a bus, a Post Office and several local shops from 8:00 pm onwards on 6 August 2011.

2011: Population census

At the 2011 census, the population of Tottenham was 129,237.

2011: Unemployment and poverty rates

In 2011, MP David Lammy claimed that Tottenham had the highest unemployment rate in London and the eighth highest in the United Kingdom, along with some of the highest poverty rates in the country.