OUR BETHNAL GREEN GUIDE BOOK
Sightseeing
At the eastern end of Bethnal Green road, you’ll find the Young V&A (formerly known as the V&A Museum of Childhood) – the nation’s National Collection of Childhood and a fantastic museum and day out in itself for families.
With free admission and an ever-changing events schedule, there is a permanent collection showcasing various childhood toys over the ages (from dainty Victorian dollhouses through to Transformers and Teenage Mutant Turtles) plus exhibitions that change regularly, all based around play, design and imagination.
Note that as of 2022, the V&A Young is currently closed until at least 2023 for an epic transformation and renovations.
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V&A Barna- og unglingamúseum
Cambridge Heath RoadAt the eastern end of Bethnal Green road, you’ll find the Young V&A (formerly known as the V&A Museum of Childhood) – the nation’s National Collection of Childhood and a fantastic museum and day out in itself for families.
With free admission and an ever-changing events schedule, there is a permanent collection showcasing various childhood toys over the ages (from dainty Victorian dollhouses through to Transformers and Teenage Mutant Turtles) plus exhibitions that change regularly, all based around play, design and imagination.
Note that as of 2022, the V&A Young is currently closed until at least 2023 for an epic transformation and renovations.
The Vagina Museum is the world's first bricks-and-mortar museum about the female reproductive system. The project is based in the United Kingdom and moved into its first fixed location in Camden Market, London, in October 2019. Its first exhibition opened on 16 November 2019. It moved to its second premises in Bethnal Green on 19 March 2022 and is currently open to the public.
Vagina Museum
276 Chalk Farm RdThe Vagina Museum is the world's first bricks-and-mortar museum about the female reproductive system. The project is based in the United Kingdom and moved into its first fixed location in Camden Market, London, in October 2019. Its first exhibition opened on 16 November 2019. It moved to its second premises in Bethnal Green on 19 March 2022 and is currently open to the public.
The London Buddhist Centre is a temple in Bethnal Green in East London, is the main base for the London Triratna Buddhist Community, formerly known as the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. It opened in 1978 and is located in an ornate, vernacular redbrick Victorian fire station, completed in 1888, and in use by the London fire service until 1969. The building was fire-damaged in the 1970s, before being renovated by volunteers for its current use. Further major improvements were completed in 2009. The centre teaches meditation and Buddhism and offers drop-in lunchtime meditation sessions Monday-Saturday, and evening sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, open to beginners. The centre also explores the teaching of the Buddha and its relevance in today's society through seminars, courses, classes and retreats. Regular retreats are run at its retreat centre in Suffolk, Vajrasana. In addition to this, the centre also runs courses and retreats using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy approaches.
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London Buddhist Centre
51 Roman RdThe London Buddhist Centre is a temple in Bethnal Green in East London, is the main base for the London Triratna Buddhist Community, formerly known as the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. It opened in 1978 and is located in an ornate, vernacular redbrick Victorian fire station, completed in 1888, and in use by the London fire service until 1969. The building was fire-damaged in the 1970s, before being renovated by volunteers for its current use. Further major improvements were completed in 2009. The centre teaches meditation and Buddhism and offers drop-in lunchtime meditation sessions Monday-Saturday, and evening sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, open to beginners. The centre also explores the teaching of the Buddha and its relevance in today's society through seminars, courses, classes and retreats. Regular retreats are run at its retreat centre in Suffolk, Vajrasana. In addition to this, the centre also runs courses and retreats using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy approaches.
Trinity Green Almshouses are a series of Grade I listed almshouses on Mile End Road in Whitechapel in London. They were originally built in 1695 to provide housing for retired sailors, and are the oldest almshouses in Central London. The buildings were damaged during the Second World War and were restored in the 1950s by London County Council.
Trinity Green Almshouses
Trinity Green Almshouses are a series of Grade I listed almshouses on Mile End Road in Whitechapel in London. They were originally built in 1695 to provide housing for retired sailors, and are the oldest almshouses in Central London. The buildings were damaged during the Second World War and were restored in the 1950s by London County Council.
Bethnal Green Garden
10 Witan StPark with a play area & sports courts
Victoria Park is one of London’s most important historic parks. Its oldest public park, visited by millions of Londoners for almost 170 years. A place of healthy recreation, sports, play and relaxation.
The park is the largest in Tower Hamlets at 86.18 hectares. It has one of the highest visitor numbers of all the London parks with around 9 million visits per year.
A range of formal and informal sports, sponsored activities, events and festivals take place during the year.
Victoria Park is a key link in a green corridor. It stretches from the River Thames at Limehouse. Then goes along the Regents Canal and through Mile End Park, along with the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park next door. The London Borough of Hackney sits on northern boundary of the park.
In 2021, Victoria Park retained its Green Flag and Green Heritage Awards for the fifth year. It also regained its crown as the nation's favourite park, coming first place in the People's Choice Award.
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Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadVictoria Park is one of London’s most important historic parks. Its oldest public park, visited by millions of Londoners for almost 170 years. A place of healthy recreation, sports, play and relaxation.
The park is the largest in Tower Hamlets at 86.18 hectares. It has one of the highest visitor numbers of all the London parks with around 9 million visits per year.
A range of formal and informal sports, sponsored activities, events and festivals take place during the year.
Victoria Park is a key link in a green corridor. It stretches from the River Thames at Limehouse. Then goes along the Regents Canal and through Mile End Park, along with the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park next door. The London Borough of Hackney sits on northern boundary of the park.
In 2021, Victoria Park retained its Green Flag and Green Heritage Awards for the fifth year. It also regained its crown as the nation's favourite park, coming first place in the People's Choice Award.
One of Bethnal Green’s best activities and places to visit is Columbia Road, a charming mix of cafes, bakeries and craft shops. The Royal Oak and Birdcage pubs are always nice places to pop in for a pint and nearby Ezra Street is particularly photogenic.
However, every Sunday between 8am to 3pm, Columbia Road transforms to become Columbia Road Flower Market, London’s most popular and colourful flower market.
This is a one stop shop for all your plant, shrub and gardening needs – get there early though if you want to bag the best flowers and avoid the crowds. Prices at Columbia Road Flower Market are reasonable too, much cheaper than the chain gardening centres and supermarkets.
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Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadOne of Bethnal Green’s best activities and places to visit is Columbia Road, a charming mix of cafes, bakeries and craft shops. The Royal Oak and Birdcage pubs are always nice places to pop in for a pint and nearby Ezra Street is particularly photogenic.
However, every Sunday between 8am to 3pm, Columbia Road transforms to become Columbia Road Flower Market, London’s most popular and colourful flower market.
This is a one stop shop for all your plant, shrub and gardening needs – get there early though if you want to bag the best flowers and avoid the crowds. Prices at Columbia Road Flower Market are reasonable too, much cheaper than the chain gardening centres and supermarkets.
The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London
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Turninn í London
The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London
Food scene
Old Spitalfields Market is the original East London Market Place. Retailers, Restaurants, Market Stalls and Street Food Traders under one Victorian Market Roof at the Heart of London’s Most Exciting Neighbourhood.
Open 7 days a week, it is the perfect antidote to the high street.
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Spitalfields markaður
65 Brushfield StOld Spitalfields Market is the original East London Market Place. Retailers, Restaurants, Market Stalls and Street Food Traders under one Victorian Market Roof at the Heart of London’s Most Exciting Neighbourhood.
Open 7 days a week, it is the perfect antidote to the high street.
An East End dining legend and possibly the most famous place to eat in Bethnal Green (if not the whole of East London), E Pellici is a family-run greasy spoon cafe / Italian restaurant serving hearty fare to all manner of customers since 1900.
Time has stood still in the cosy, wood-panelled interior of this Bethnal Green Road cafe – and all the better for it. E Pellici oozes history inside so if you can get a table inside (not always an easy task), do so.
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E Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green RdAn East End dining legend and possibly the most famous place to eat in Bethnal Green (if not the whole of East London), E Pellici is a family-run greasy spoon cafe / Italian restaurant serving hearty fare to all manner of customers since 1900.
Time has stood still in the cosy, wood-panelled interior of this Bethnal Green Road cafe – and all the better for it. E Pellici oozes history inside so if you can get a table inside (not always an easy task), do so.
If you are a Londoner, you’ll undoubtedly already know what pie and mash is. If not, this is a traditional English dish of the pie (usually meat), mashed potato and liquor (jellied eels with parsley – not alcoholic!).
They are a staple of London history and you must try one, particularly when visiting the East End of London.
S & R Kelly & Sons
284 Bethnal Green RoadIf you are a Londoner, you’ll undoubtedly already know what pie and mash is. If not, this is a traditional English dish of the pie (usually meat), mashed potato and liquor (jellied eels with parsley – not alcoholic!).
They are a staple of London history and you must try one, particularly when visiting the East End of London.
Roman Road LDN is a news and culture magazine for Roman Road in East London. Discover the best-kept secrets about this neighbourhood including what’s on, places to visit, new shops, best restaurants, bars and coffee places, and the top attractions in Bow, Mile End, Globe Town, and Victoria Park. Discover the rich culture and heritage of this neighbourhood, from East End Cockneys, East London Suffragettes, and Bow Grime music to British Bangladeshi.
Roman Road’s famous Roman Road Market in Bow operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from about 9 am to 3 pm. Find the real east end and experience a traditional street market that has stayed true to its roots and offers fantastic bargains.
Roman Road
Roman RoadRoman Road LDN is a news and culture magazine for Roman Road in East London. Discover the best-kept secrets about this neighbourhood including what’s on, places to visit, new shops, best restaurants, bars and coffee places, and the top attractions in Bow, Mile End, Globe Town, and Victoria Park. Discover the rich culture and heritage of this neighbourhood, from East End Cockneys, East London Suffragettes, and Bow Grime music to British Bangladeshi.
Roman Road’s famous Roman Road Market in Bow operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from about 9 am to 3 pm. Find the real east end and experience a traditional street market that has stayed true to its roots and offers fantastic bargains.
BOXPARK launched the world's first pop-up shopping mall in Shoreditch back in 2011, and has since become a staple of the East London scene. The retail revolution built from shipping containers effortlessly fuses the concepts of the modern street food market and the pop-up shopping destination.
With its unique approach to shopping and dining, BOXPARK gives you a variety of both familiar and independent brands to shop along with the convenience of stopping for a bite to eat. The award-winning site stands proudly in the heart of London’s Shoreditch and is home to a community of carefully selected brands specialising in fashion, arts, food and drinks.
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BOXPARK Shoreditch
2-10 Bethnal Green RdBOXPARK launched the world's first pop-up shopping mall in Shoreditch back in 2011, and has since become a staple of the East London scene. The retail revolution built from shipping containers effortlessly fuses the concepts of the modern street food market and the pop-up shopping destination.
With its unique approach to shopping and dining, BOXPARK gives you a variety of both familiar and independent brands to shop along with the convenience of stopping for a bite to eat. The award-winning site stands proudly in the heart of London’s Shoreditch and is home to a community of carefully selected brands specialising in fashion, arts, food and drinks.
Relaxation & Fitness
Located just across the road from the Young V&A / Museum of Childhood, York Hall is a historic gym, spa and events centre, these days most known for international boxing bouts held in the evenings (often with big names from the world boxing scene).
Opened in 1929 and much cherished in Bethnal Green, York Hall is renowned for its Bethnal Green spa centre and Turkish baths, which were refurbished in 2005 (although still retaining some of their main features and interiors, making them one of the oldest surviving spas and Turkish Baths in London).
The Bethnal Green spa facilities include steam rooms, saunas, a hammam, plunge pool and ice fountain. Selected days are also female only, with a three hour pass generally around the £30 mark.
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York Hall Leisure Centre
21 Old Ford RoadLocated just across the road from the Young V&A / Museum of Childhood, York Hall is a historic gym, spa and events centre, these days most known for international boxing bouts held in the evenings (often with big names from the world boxing scene).
Opened in 1929 and much cherished in Bethnal Green, York Hall is renowned for its Bethnal Green spa centre and Turkish baths, which were refurbished in 2005 (although still retaining some of their main features and interiors, making them one of the oldest surviving spas and Turkish Baths in London).
The Bethnal Green spa facilities include steam rooms, saunas, a hammam, plunge pool and ice fountain. Selected days are also female only, with a three hour pass generally around the £30 mark.
Local Pubs & Bars
An independent pub tucked away on Globe Road, just a 5-minute walk from Bethnal Green station and around the corner from the magnificent Victoria Park. At The Florist Arms, you will find local beers and ales, speciality beers from around the world, classic cocktails, delicious Italian food and friendly staff.
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The Florist Arms
255 Globe RdAn independent pub tucked away on Globe Road, just a 5-minute walk from Bethnal Green station and around the corner from the magnificent Victoria Park. At The Florist Arms, you will find local beers and ales, speciality beers from around the world, classic cocktails, delicious Italian food and friendly staff.
This new sister bar to Bethnal Green's The Florist is a bonny wee soul: this lovingly restored, cosy Victorian boozer with its big, butch, polished wood bar was also used as a wartime community centre for non-evacuated children. Modish, loud, floral wallpaper and 1960's bronze pendant lights contrast with utilitarian furniture. It's a useful new spot to have a pig's ear-that's Cockney for beer, Amstel or Adnams in this case. 'Home made (as in made in Bristol, we are told) pies and mash come with a twist: fillings include steak and chorizo and Thai green curry.
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The Camel
277 Globe RdThis new sister bar to Bethnal Green's The Florist is a bonny wee soul: this lovingly restored, cosy Victorian boozer with its big, butch, polished wood bar was also used as a wartime community centre for non-evacuated children. Modish, loud, floral wallpaper and 1960's bronze pendant lights contrast with utilitarian furniture. It's a useful new spot to have a pig's ear-that's Cockney for beer, Amstel or Adnams in this case. 'Home made (as in made in Bristol, we are told) pies and mash come with a twist: fillings include steak and chorizo and Thai green curry.
The Royal Inn on the Park is a beautiful mid-Victorian pub situated in an idyllic setting overlooking Victoria Park in Hackney.
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Royal Inn on the Park
111 Lauriston RoadThe Royal Inn on the Park is a beautiful mid-Victorian pub situated in an idyllic setting overlooking Victoria Park in Hackney.
The Blind Beggar is a pub on Whitechapel Road in Whitechapel in the East End of London, England. It is notable as the former brewery tap of the Manns Albion brewery, where the first modern Brown Ale was brewed. The pub was built in 1894 on the site of an inn which had been established before 1654 and takes its name from the legend of Henry de Montfort. Victorian East End pub infamous as the site where 1960s gangster Ronnie Kray shot and killed a rival.
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The Blind Beggar
337 Whitechapel RdThe Blind Beggar is a pub on Whitechapel Road in Whitechapel in the East End of London, England. It is notable as the former brewery tap of the Manns Albion brewery, where the first modern Brown Ale was brewed. The pub was built in 1894 on the site of an inn which had been established before 1654 and takes its name from the legend of Henry de Montfort. Victorian East End pub infamous as the site where 1960s gangster Ronnie Kray shot and killed a rival.
A rare rooftop bar in Bethnal Green with views overlooking the Museum Gardens and St John’s Church, Chiringuito is a stylish Spanish bar and restaurant with warm interiors plus ample seating outside, both on the rooftop and with the Museum Gardens themselves.
On the menu is Latin American inspired mains plus Spanish tapas style dishes. We also didn’t realise until after the fact that the building Chiringuito Bar is located in used to be a public toilet / WC block – such is the transformation!
Chiringuito - Bethnal Green
A rare rooftop bar in Bethnal Green with views overlooking the Museum Gardens and St John’s Church, Chiringuito is a stylish Spanish bar and restaurant with warm interiors plus ample seating outside, both on the rooftop and with the Museum Gardens themselves.
On the menu is Latin American inspired mains plus Spanish tapas style dishes. We also didn’t realise until after the fact that the building Chiringuito Bar is located in used to be a public toilet / WC block – such is the transformation!
Entertainment
Bethnal Green’s Backyard Comedy Club has been around for over 20 years, and is one of the biggest and best-known venues in London. Hosting new and established acts, previous shows have included Dave Chapelle, Harry Hill, Joe Lycett and Russell Howard.
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Backyard Bar
231 Cambridge Heath RdBethnal Green’s Backyard Comedy Club has been around for over 20 years, and is one of the biggest and best-known venues in London. Hosting new and established acts, previous shows have included Dave Chapelle, Harry Hill, Joe Lycett and Russell Howard.