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East London Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History

    The East End of London was made up of rural communities up until the 18th century, when industrial development took over. The railways of the 19th century added to the area’s growth, and this eventually led to slums. Slum clearances took place in the 1930s and amenities were improved for residents. There are many Georgian and Victorian houses in this part of the capital, a...Read morend Hackney alone has 1,300 listed buildings. Read less

  • 2. Now

    The East End of London includes Hackney, Bow, Leyton, Walthamstow, Stratford, West Ham, East Ham, Canning Town, North Woolwich, Plaistow, Forest Gate, Upton Park, Leytonstone, Manor Park, South Woodford, Chingford, Highams Park and Tower Hamlets. The London 2012 Olympic Stadium and Olympic Park is in Stratford. This has given the area world-wide fame.

  • 3. Events

    Black History Month is a national festival that takes place every year to celebrate Black African and Caribbean communities. Hackney Council and Tower Hamlets Council both provide a programme of local events for this. The Newham Classic 10k run is an annual running event that takes place in West Ham Park, Stratford, in April. Thousands of runners take part in this event. The ...Read moreMayor’s Newham Show takes place in East Ham’s Central Park in July and attracts thousands of visitors. Attractions include a carnival and live entertainment. Under the Stars is an annual live music event that is held in East Ham’s Central Park over four days in July. Thousands of people turn up to this event. Read less

  • 4. Attractions

    The Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, are the area’s newest attractions. The park covers about 500 acres. The Lee Valley Regional Park runs along the River Lee and through the East End of London. This section of the park includes the Waterworks Nature Reserve, the Lee Valley Ice Centre and the Walthamstow Marsh Nature Reserve. Hackney Museum tells the history ...Read moreof the region and its people with exhibitions and hands-on activities. There is also a programme of changing exhibitions at this site. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do

    City farms are popular in the area and the list includes Mudchute Park and Farm, Spitalfields City Farm and Stepney City Farm. The list of green spaces and parks in east London includes Clapton Common, Clissold Park, West Ham Park and parts of Epping Forest. Westfield Stratford City shopping centre also includes a 14-lane All Star Lanes bowling and the UK's largest casino.

  • 6. Business

    Walthamstow Market boasts the title of being the longest outdoor street market in Europe. It runs from Tuesday to Saturday and its stalls sell food, clothes and household goods. The area also has cafes and restaurants selling everything from Caribbean cuisine to pie and mash and jellied eels. The Newham borough boasts a great selection of shops and restaurants to suit all tast...Read morees, from pie and mash shops to Greek, Bengali, Nigerian, Indian and Pakistani restaurants. Columbia Road Flower market takes place on Sundays. This street also offers a unique shopping experience throughout the week with art galleries, cup cake shops, vintage clothes stores and antique shops among the list of businesses. Westfield Stratford City is a huge shopping centre near to the Olympic Park in Stratford, and contains around 300 shops and 70 bars and restaurants. Read less

  • 7. Transport

    The main underground stations in the region include Walthamstow Central, Leyton, Stratford, Bromley-by-Bow, Mile End, Stepney Green, Bow Road, Upton Park, East Ham, Canning Town, Leytonstone and Hackney Central. The main roads into this section of the capital are the A12 to the east and west, and the A406 to the north and south. The M11 starts in the Woodford area and links to...Read more the M25. Read less

  • 8. Entertainment

    The Theatre Royal, in Stratford East, mostly shows performances by the Theatre Royal Stratford East company. The Hackney Empire is a venue offering a selection of live entertainment including music, comedy, drama, family shows and more. The Brick Lane Music Hall, in North Woolwich Road, offers entertainment and food in the form of matinees with afternoon tea, evening shows w...Read moreith three course dinner and luncheon shows. Performances include traditional music hall bills. Stratford Circus is a performing arts hub containing a children’s theatre, professional theatre and exhibition spaces. The programme of events includes drama, music, comedy, dance and circus shows. Read less

  • 9. Famous Landmarks

    The Theatre Royal, in Stratford, was built in 1884. Visitors can find out more about this building’s history in its Archives Collection of images and memorabilia. The Hackney Empire was built in 1901 and its electric lights, central heating and projection box were modern marvels of the time. The building was used as a bingo hall for a period of time in the ‘60s, ‘70s and...Read more ‘80s, before reopening as a theatre in 1986. The building was renovated between 2001 and 2004 after a major fundraising appeal. Read less

  • 10. Interesting Fact

    David Beckham was born and grew up in the Waltham Forest area, and a Beckham Trail has been created to take fans on a tour of the sites relevant to the sportsman’s life. The trail includes Whipps Cross Hospital, where he was born, and Norman Road, Leytonstone, where he lived as a child.

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