Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is often regarded as the heart of East London. But gone are the days of it being one of London’s most impoverished areas. Today, it’s a patchwork of vintage clothing stores, cool cafes, cocktail bars and pubs - yet still with an authentic, down-to-earth feel.
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It’s also got excellent transport links and is a short stroll from Zone 1! Amazingly, the area also boasts cheaper hotel and vacation rental prices than many locales in East London, making it an excellent place to stay and play.
If you want the lowdown on what’s really cooking in Bethnal Green, then take a peak at our handy guide for international tourists below.
Getting to Bethnal Green
Take the Central line. Okay, it may be one of London’s busiest lines, but that’s just because it’s also one of the most well-connected. Getting from Oxford Street to Bethnal Green will take you an astronomical 13 minutes. Not bad!
Bethnal Green also has its own tube station, meaning you’re just a short walk away from the action - or even further out towards Essex.
Busses are also a breeze and thanks to 9 routes that zip out of the neighbourhood in every direction - as well as plenty of options for night travel - you’ll never be stuck out in the cold again.
Things to do in Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is home to the V&A’s Museum of Childhood. Packed full of incredible toys through the ages - from ornate Victorian dolls and dolls houses to Lego, Barbies and more its perfect for kids as well as parents looking to recapture a little nostalgia from their youth.
If it’s culture that you seek, Rich Mix, on Bethnal Green road is an amazing cinema as well as exhibition and performance space where you can take in everything from cutting edge poetry and performance art, to indie flicks, gigs, and critically acclaimed blockbusters.
If you’ve a love for all things floral, then you’ll be pleased to learn that Columbia Road Flower Market is just a short stroll away. Every weekend it’s packed full of street sellers, incredible smells and vivid colours - not to mention a few bargains late in the day! There’s also Broadway Market for chic shopping which even has its own interactive map.
For a little respite from the action, Spitalfields City Farm is also close by, allowing you to unwind in a rural setting that’s right in the middle of the action. It’s beautifully green and run by a group of volunteers that promote sustainability and community. It also has a gift shop to pick up fresh produce on your way home for dinner.
Where and what to eat in Bethnal Green
If it’s eating out that you love, then you’ve really picked the right neighbourhood. Here, there’s everything from classic cafes like the family-run E Pellicci - which was also a favourite of the infamous Kray twins - as well a few sleeker, more gentrified options for your poached eggs and avocado like Hackney Bureau.
The Gallery Cafe is a wonderful community space in St. Margarets House, serving vegan and vegetarian dishes that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday after a big night out. You could even try one of their detox juices.
Bistrotheque is wonderful for a dinner date in a picturesque and elegant setting hidden down a backstreet that serves classic with a modern twist as well as killer cocktails and a large wine list.
Bethnal Green’s railway arches also host a row of restaurants to explore at your leisure. Resident of Paradise Row is one to look out for, serving season food with a European lean-to. Think high ceilings, patios and one hell of a Sunday roast. Or, if it’s something different you’re after, Arepa & Co next door is the place to go in East London for Venezuelan food!
Where to drink in Bethnal Green
The Star of Bethnal Green is a true institution. Here, you’ll find nights out laden with 90’s karaoke, quizzes - or just regular punters relaxing with a pint. The kitchen regularly hosts pop up events, so keep an eye out for what’s happening next. They even have a Speed Flatmating event if you’re looking for lodgers!
Mother Kellys is where to head to if craft beer is what you seek. Choose from a mind-being array of bottles as well as 23 varieties of beer on tap. And if you’re feeling peckish, you can order one of their meat, cheese…or chocolate boards!
Cocktail lovers can rejoice thanks to Satan's Whiskers. It may be filled with odd and somewhat fascinating taxidermy, but the ever-changing drinks menus really is a sight to behold.
For a wonderfully unpredictable night out, there’s Bethnal Green's Working Men’s Club. This place has been around since 1887 and hosts everything from stand up comedy to live music, burlesque performances, old-school club nights and more!
West Ham
If you’re not from London and you know anything about West Ham, there’s a high likeliness that this will be down their iconic football club. The Hammers are an institution in this area of London and hold together West Ham’s community like glue. But this certainly doesn’t mean you need to be a football fanatic to enjoy it here.
West Ham offers a diverse selection of places to stay - from period homes to post-world-war-two abodes right down to sparkly new-build hotels after the area’s extensive regeneration.
Getting there
West Ham is also one of the more well-connected areas of East London, which straddles Zone 2 and 3. Its namesake underground station is accessible via the Jubilee, District and Hammersmith & City lines, making onward travel a doddle. It is also accessible via the DLR, meaning your commute into Canary Wharf or centrally-located Bank is equally stress free, making it perfect for the nine to five grind as well as nights out on the town.
Things to do in West Ham
The best part about living here is that you’re only a hop, skip and jump away from Westfield shopping centre. As one of the UK’s largest dedicated shopping complexes, you’ll be able to find everything you’re looking for as well as spend a fun weekend window shopping or hanging out at any of Westfield’s bars, cafes or restaurants.
Of course, there’s also the football pitch. The London Stadium is where to see the team play and offers 60,000 seats. Just make sure you plan to book yours in advance as they tend to sell out quickly during important games.
You’re also very close to the stunning Victoria Park. Regularly named as one of London’s most well-loved green spaces, Vicky Park is the perfect way to spend a Sunday, especially when the farmer’s market is in full bloom. It’s also great for a run or cycle in the mornings around its 200 acre circumference, and when the sun comes out, so do the barbecues, the beers and the bikinis.
Things to eat
For a community minded area of London, you can also expect some good, honest eats at prices which are more than affordable. If you love Greek, then head to Zorba's for some incredible Souvlaki wraps, tzatziki and taramasalata. This little place is also a favourite amongst football fans, so don’t expect it to be empty.
Westfield shopping centre, which is very close by in Stratford also has a ton of options for both fine dining and a casual burger and beer. Pasta Remoli is a great option if you fancy traditional Italian fare. They also operate a takeaway and sell authentic Italian products which will allow you to cook a restaurant-grade meal for yourself a home, without breaking the bank.
Stratford
Before the Olympics, Stratford wasn’t high on anybody’s must-visit list. But since 2012, the area has become one of the most action-packed in London. Here, you’ll find the epic Westfield shopping centre as well as a cornucopia of food and drink options - plus an amazing sports scene!
The Olympic regeneration left the area with a mind-blowing 11,000 homes - 3000 of which are spread across Stratford’s 75 acres of green parkland that make up London’s newest neighbourhood, East Village.
Getting to Stratford
Stratford is afforded some of the best connections to the rest of the city. It sits on the Central Line - a short hop away from Liverpool Street - as well as the Jubilee, Overground and the DLR. No matter where you work or spend your time in London, this is one stop you’ll be able to reach with ease. It also offers a National Rail Station that can get you anywhere in the country you fancy!
If you tend to avoid tubes and trains when you can, there are 12 busses which serve Stratford, making connections to places like Romford or Canary Wharf as simple as can be.
Things to do in Stratford
Well, if you love nothing better than to shop until you drop, then it’s off to Westfield shopping centre for you! As the 4th largest shopping complex in England, you’ll find all you are looking for and more.
For keep fit fanatics, there’s plenty of amazing complexes to check out offering sporting lessons, training and more. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and Copper Box Arena are just a few. Plus, the Lee Valley VeloPark is a cyclists dream.
If getting sweaty isn’t your idea of a good time, then the Theatre Royal Stratford East is a wonderful place to indulge your cultural leanings. Here, you’ll find everything from music and dance to stand up and it is the area’s central arts hub.
If it’s a drink in the sun (whenever it appears) that you crave, make your way to Roof East, Stratford’ roof bar, cinema and urban park mashup where you can do everything from a little yoga at Flow Yoga East to play crazy golf, or simply unwind.
Places to eat in Stratford
Levi Roots’ Caribbean Smokehouse is a true treat for the tastebuds, offering stunning Caribbean jerk. Whether it’s a goat curry, a slow cooked burger with pickle mayo or something vegetarian, you’ll soon discover that you’ll be visiting this place regularly.
If you can’t handle the heat, the why not opt for some classics European dishes at Dark Horse? Here you’ll find traditional Spanish tapas, Italian favourites and an epic “wine cave.” Their breaded sardine are also to die for.
Hand Cafe is another local eatery that has a buzz about it, offering Greek-inspired food with North African flavours in a chilled, funky environment. Here you’ll find sumptuous spanakoptika, feta parcels, lentil soups and much, much, much more!
Where to go for a drink in Stratford
Stratford also has a huge haul of fun bars to skip between. At Secret Weapon, you can play retro arcade games whilst drinking. Doesn’t that sound like fun?
Or if you’d rather not the extra activities and prefer to focus on the quality of your tipples, Tap East Brewery has 16 different ales on tap and over 100 bottled beers. Nearby, The Cow also boasts amazing views over the olympic stadium as well as a seasonal menu and live sports.
If even the above sounds like a little too much to handle, the head down to the Cart & Horses for a proper cosy night in a traditional East End pub, replete with oak-panelled walls, a lovely beer garden and a satisfying pint. Lovely.
Limehouse
Nestled between the East London areas of Canary Wharf, Wapping and Stepney Green, Limehouse is a little dockland neighbourhood that is packed full of character. Not only is there a lot of fun things to do in the area as well as its close proximity to the city’s key financial districts, but it also offers a wide diversity of hotels and alternative accommodation types.
Expect to find plenty of Georgian townhouses, Victorian cottages, warehouse conversions and modern new builds. Oh, and did we forget to mention that the views over the docklands - and often the entire London skyline - are fantastic from Limehouse, too!
Getting to Limehouse
The central transport link for Limehouse is its namesake DLR station. Located midway between Canary Wharf and Bank you’ll be able to reach the centre of town for Northern or Central line transfers in around five minutes. Not bad!
Plus, the area also boasts a very good bus network, with plenty of options for those who work late, or like to party until the sun comes up.
Things to do in Limehouse
Limehouse has long been known as a vibrant creative hub, due in part to its cheap rents in former years. One great venue to explore is the Troxy. This is the area’s cultural centre and offers everything form live music acts to exhibitions and even doubles as a wedding venue!
If you’d like to exchange the riverside for green grass, then why not take a trip to nearby Stepney Green Farm? This gorgeous central city farm spread over 3-acres has goats, sheep and more, not to mention an art gallery and a great produce shop to pick up a few ingredients from before you get home.
There is also the wide, green expanse of Ropemakers Field, near Limehouse Basin that’s perfect for a bracing winter stroll or a barbecue in the summer. They even run fitness classes here if you’d like a way to burn calories or get in shape that won’t have you packed into a gym.
Where to go out to eat in Limehouse
The first (and most famous) restaurant you should visit whilst in Limehouse is Gordon Ramsay’s The Narrow. This epic gastro-pub also comes with floor-to-ceiling windows whilst you dine, so expect a phenomenal views over the Thames as well as an equally impressive meal.
If value for money is what you seek, then La Figa Restaurant is where to go for classic Italian dishes which won’t break the bank, not to mention a wonderfully wide selection of cocktails and wine.
For no-fuss dining that won’t leave your wallet in pieces as well as provide ample opportunities for weekend fun, Area 51 Limehouse serves up delicious, casual Mexican-inspired dishes and bar snacks as well as happy hour cocktails that are perfect for an after work de-stress.
