Things to do in Stratford

Stratford has shaken off its industrial past, transforming into a vibrant East London hub in the wake of its starring role in the 2012 Olympics. Visit to ogle the eye-popping ArcelorMittal Orbit, go for a spin at Lee Valley VeloPark and give your wallet a walloping in the mighty Westfield shopping complex. You’ll find all this and more in our guide to all the best things to do in Stratford...

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: February 26, 2025
London Stadium in Stratford at night

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

You can see the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from miles around, thanks to the soaring ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture, which stands 376 feet high in its South Plaza. But if you fancy getting a little closer to the action, the park’s network of waterways, including residential canals and parts of the River Lea, are a fine way to do so. 

There are a number of ways to take to the water during the warmer months, usually between April and October. Hop aboard a swan-shaped pedalo at the London Aquatics Centre for maximum Insta appeal and a leisurely afternoon pootle around the park. Or cut through the canals in a canoe rented from Moo Canoes at The Milk Float bar by Hackney Wick station. Too much exertion for ya? Fear not: guided boat tours run most weekends through spring and summer, for expert commentaries and duck’s eye views of the park’s biggest hitters, including the stadium, Orbit, Carpenter’s Road Lock and legendary ‘Big Breakfast’ house.

London Stadium

Family of sports fans cheering on their team in a stadium

A finely tuned ear might still be able to discern the distant roar of the crowd inside London Stadium, scene of many an Olympic triumph back in 2012. Or maybe that’s just the sound of East London traffic clogging up the nearby A12. Either way, here’s where you can relive any number of Olympic glories. Danny Boyle’s epic opening ceremony! Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford each nabbing a gold medal on ‘Super Saturday’! Usain Bolt’s new 100-metre Olympic record! The Queen skydiving over the stadium with James Bond!

Now home to perennial Premier League underachievers West Ham Utd, the stadium runs tours that reveal the park’s rich history as well as a chance to get behind the scenes and visit the players’ tunnel and managers’ dug-outs. Pro-tip: the London Stadium tour is included with The London Pass®, which includes around 100 major London attractions, tours and activities, and could save you up to 47% on standard admission fees. Click here to find out more and choose your pass.

Westfield Stratford City

Person carrying shopping bags

There are more than 200 shops inside the cavernous Westfield Stratford City shopping complex, only one of the largest malls in Europe. Not to put too fine a point on it, this place is a brand junkie’s paradise (and your bank manager’s worst nightmare), with megastores from Apple to Zara, and plenty more besides. Lose yourself in stores dedicated entirely to rubber ducks, bamboo bedding and Lego and have your brows shaped and nails shellacked in one of several glitzy salons. The 100-or-so places to eat and drink give new meaning to the phrase ‘spoiled for choice’, and there are bowling alleys, go-kart tracks, a cinema and even a Disney play zone to keep kids young and old entertained all day long.

Hackney Marshes

Woman out jogging on Hackney Marshes

There are something like 330 acres of grassland to explore in Hackney Marshes, located just north of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Stroll or cycle the peaceful trails that run along the banks of the River Lea, or find yourself a quiet waterside spot to indulge in the fine art of birdwatching. Hackney Marshes is a rich habitat for several species. Eyes peeled for the punky quiff of the red-breasted merganser duck, the similarly flamboyant great-crested grebe, and the leggy Eurasian oystercatcher.

The Lee Valley VeloPark

Bike riders in a velodrome

Built for the London Olympics, this iconic velodrome is perhaps best remembered for the moments when Dame Sarah Storey and Sir Chris Hoy led their teams to cycling glory back in 2012. You can now ride the very same track they did, albeit perhaps not at quite the same speed. Beginners are welcome, with a one-hour track-cycling taster session available and all safety equipment provided. And that’s not all: you can also try road racing and mountain biking trails as well as performing your best jumps and tricks on the BMX track. All in all, wheely good fun. 

Stratford Theatres

Crowd of people watching a show at the theatre

Ok, so Stratford-upon-Avon it ain’t, but Stratford London boasts a couple of fine theatres of which Shakespeare himself would surely approve. First up, the Theatre Royal Stratford East is a boundary-pushing Victorian playhouse that has hosted productions including A Taste of Honey, Equus and Benjamin Britten’s Noye's Fludde down the years. Over the other side of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Hackney Wick, the diminutive Yard Theatre is set in a converted warehouse that seats just 110. This intimate urban space has staged reimagined classics including a gender-swapped version of The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and a production of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard starring a fully South Asian cast.

Check the links to find out what’s on at the Yard Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East.

London Aquatics Centre

Pro swimmer in action

Fancy a dip? You’ll be in good company at the London Aquatics Centre, another of the mighty Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park venues built specifically for the 2012 games. For here’s where Tom Daley picked up his first ever Olympic medal, and where some of the country’s top swimmers and divers continue to train.

The iconic venue, designed by prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, now welcomes mere mortals into its hallowed waters too, allowing us to admire the dolphin-like grace of future Olympic athletes as we thrash around like blobfish in the shallow end.

ArcelorMittal Orbit

Night shot of the ArcelorMittal Orbit bathed in red light

Last but by no means least in our guide to the best things to do in Stratford, the mighty ArcelorMittal Orbit is Britain’s largest piece of public art. The sculpture, a 376-foot-tall masterpiece of looping red steel tubes was the brainchild of Turner-Prize winning artist Anish Kapoor, and incorporates viewing platforms some 260 feet above terra firma, from where you can spy many more skyscraping London attractions, among them Big Ben, The Shard and The O2 Arena.

Better still, there’s no need to take the stairs back down thanks to the Helix. This looping tunnel that snakes around the Orbit for nearly 600 feet is the longest and tallest slide on the planet, and will have thrillseekers back on the ground in a mere 40 seconds.

Looking for more things to do in Stratford and elsewhere around London? The London Pass® can save you up to 47% on standard entry prices for more than 100 London tours, activities and attractions, including the likes of the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and a tour of London Stadium. Click the buttons below to find out more and choose your pass.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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The Royal Naval College in Greenwich, South London.
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South London Attractions

South London is the catch-all term employed for much of the area ‘sarf’ of the River Thames, a mystical zone where West End cabbies fear to tread and where the cool kids hang out at trendy Peckham and Brixton cocktail bars. It’s also where you’ll find fab London landmarks like the Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs, Brockwell Lido, and the fascinating Horniman Museum with its famously overstuffed walrus mascot. Read on for our pick of the South London attractions you should go out of your way to see. Greenwich There are a great many attractions to tempt day trippers to ultra-hip Greenwich, the historic village that sits on a sharp bend of the Thames’s south bank. Chief among these are the Cutty Sark, Royal Museums and Royal Observatory, but there’s loads more to enjoy here. Shop the cute Greenwich Market (and sample some of the wonderful street food here while you’re at it); take in fine city views from Greenwich Park; and check out the latest contemporary art, fashion and photography from local artists at the NOW Gallery. But, most of all, don’t miss the chance to take a stroll beneath the Thames itself, via the awesome Greenwich Foot Tunnel. This marvel of early 20th-century engineering is 1,215 feet of cast-iron, concrete and white-glazed tiles, set 50 feet beneath the surface of the river. Emerge at the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs for spellbinding views back across the Thames to the Royal Observatory. The Crystal Palace Park Dinosaurs Named for the huge glass structure that was relocated here from Hyde Park following the Great Exhibition in 1851 (but sadly now long gone), Crystal Palace Park is a typical Victorian pleasure garden that retains many of its playful original features and quirks. Case in point: the much-loved crumbling dinosaur sculptures that bask in and around the lake. What these beautiful beasts lack in realism they more than make up for in charm, with the high camp of the megalosaurus proving a particular highlight. Fill your boots with fun selfies then stroll the park’s curvaceous lanes, taking in replica sphinxes, haunted statues, a cool maze, and Crystal Palace Bowl, the legendary outdoor venue where Bob Marley played his last ever UK gig. Horniman Museum and Gardens It’s a truth universally acknowledged that London’s smaller museums are often its most interesting. The Horniman proves the theory by way of a fascinating collection of some 350,000 anthropological artifacts that includes Asian puppets, European wind instruments, Navajo textiles and more. Equally eye-popping is the natural history section, where the menagerie of taxidermy beasts of yore includes the overstuffed walrus that is the museum’s emblem. He’s been around since 1901– that's as long as the museum itself. Look out too for the ‘Horniman merman’ – truly the stuff of nightmares. Brockwell Lido Swimming outdoors at all times of year is a peculiar pastime of South Londoners, with the hardiest of swimmers frequenting the iconic Brockwell Lido right through the depths of winter. Let’s be clear: this art-deco South London landmark is a) open-air and b) unheated, so you might want to consider visiting in the somewhat sultrier summer months, rather than during a January blizzard. Though, boy, nothing will earn you the right to that post-dip hot chocolate (with extra marshmallows) faster than a 40°F dip in your smalls. Brixton Village Brixton’s bright lights and eye-candy street art will have your camera popping the second you step off the Tube. Pay homage at the shrine to Brixton boy David Bowie, then follow the huge neon sign down Electric Avenue to Brixton Village, humming the classic Eddy Grant hit as you go. Inside this covered foodie mecca, trains thunder overhead and the heady aromas of jerk chicken and freshly roasted coffee intermingle. Roll the dice and take your pick from – deep breath – artisan pizza, belly-busting burritos, dirty burgers, Vietnamese street food and more. But the smart money here goes on colorful modern Caribbean cuisine: curried mutton roti, cod fish fritters, fried plantain and spicy rice for the win. Dulwich Picture Gallery Housed in a Grade II-listed early 19th-century building designed by Regency architect Sir John Soane, Dulwich Picture Gallery packs a quite extraordinary punch for its relatively diminutive size. For inside this South London gem is where you’ll find one of the country’s finest collections of Old Masters, some 600 pieces with a focus on French, Italian and Spanish Baroque art and British portraits from the Tudor era to the 19th Century. Rembrandt, Canaletto, Gainsborough, Rubens and Constable provide some of the best wow moments. Nunhead Cemetery The second-largest and arguably most impressive of London’s Magnificent Seven Victorian cemeteries, Nunhead promises 52 acres of haunting landscape for tombstone tourists to explore. Think grand, vine-clad memorials to the great and good of 19th and 20th Century London, including inventors, engineers, MPs and music hall legends of the Victorian era. As woodland has encroached on the cemetery over the years, so too has the native wildlife. Arrive at just the right twilight hour for spooky sightings of tawny owls, pipistrelle bats and urban foxes. Maltby Street Market One of London’s cooler but lesser-known markets, Bermondsey’s Maltby Street is the kind of place to arrive hungry and leave with a great big sourdough cheese toastie-induced smile across your face. There are cool street food stalls galore at this weekend market, which takes place beneath soaring Victorian railway arches, providing the perfect backdrop to your next set of IG food shots. Try waffles with fried buttermilk chicken, Venezuelan rainbow arepas and black pudding scotch eggs for the win, then hit up Bermondsey’s nearby ‘beer mile’ to sample some of the coolest craft ales in town, fresh from the brewery taprooms. Streatham Rookery South London attractions don’t come much more manicured than Streatham Rookery. Set within Streatham Common, this hidden gem is one of the city’s finest formal gardens, its cascading terraces crammed with ornamental hedges, lily-covered ponds, stone sundials and vibrant beds of wildflowers and herbaceous plants. Grab a mini picnic from the café and find yourself a quiet nook to watch the birds, bees and butterflies flitting among the plants and trees. You might even be lucky enough to catch an open-air theatrical performance here in summer. Save on Activities and Attractions in London Save on admission to London attractions with The London Pass. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Colorful houses in the Portobello Road area of Notting Hill, West London.
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West London Attractions

Ah, West London. So good the Pet Shop Boys wrote a song about its neon-lit nightlife. So nebulous that even long-term West Londoners will squabble about where it actually begins and ends. Some say it’s pretentious and aloof; others would argue that’s in fact West London is the city’s coolest, most laid back quarter. Whichever way you shake it, something most Londoners will grudgingly agree is that West London’s attractions are among the very best in town. Our whistlestop guide counts down 10 of the must-visits, including historic theaters, upmarket department stores, epic palaces and some of the city’s finest green spaces. Dive in! The West End Move over Broadway, London’s West End is the finest theater district on the planet and no mistake! Just south of Soho, the iconic Shaftesbury Avenue snakes from Piccadilly Circus to Cambridge Circus and boasts several theaters on and around it. Theater-goers scurry expectantly beneath the neon lights, off for an evening of world-class entertainment at historic playhouses including the Apollo, Lyric, Gielgud and Palace. Here’s where you can catch Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera, or thrill to relative newcomers like Wicked, Matilda and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. You can experience the world’s longest continuously running show just off the main drag, opposite the legendary Ivy restaurant. Agatha Christie’s evergreen whodunnit The Mousetrap has been playing here at St. Martin’s Theatre for half a century of its epic 70-something year run. South Kensington Museums South Ken’s ‘big three’ have enough eye-popping exhibits to keep even the most jaded museum-goer entertained for hours at a time. We’re talking the Natural History Museum, where no fewer than 80 million objects – including ancient ammonites, dino skeletons and meteorites – chart the entire history of our planet. Hop just next door to the wonderful Science Museum to have your mind blown by the wonders of modern technology (Apollo 10 command module, anyone?) and don’t miss the eye-popping V&A if it’s art, design and fashion through the ages that float your particular boat. Hyde Park One of West London’s most popular green spaces, Hyde Park is a fine choice if you’re in the market for a picnic or gentle stroll. There’s plenty to admire on a perambulation of its 350 acres, too. Pay homage at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and feast your eyes on cutting-edge contemporary art at the Serpentine Galleries either side of the lake that ssssnakes through the park. You can ogle the manicured gardens at Kensington Palace at the park’s westernmost point while, between November and January, the enormous Winter Wonderland event occupies the southeast corner, all thrill rides, craft stalls and the festive scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts drifting on the air. Harrods Not just a department store but a landmark in its own right, the hallowed halls of Harrods in swanky Knightsbridge are a mecca for shopaholics and IG addicts alike. Sure, the price of that snakeskin handbag would make an heiress’s eyes water, but there’s nothing stopping you indulging in a little window shopping, right? A traditional English afternoon tea complete with cucumber sandwiches, scones and Earl Grey is available in the lavish tea rooms upstairs for the princely sum of £70 per person. Pinkies at the ready... Kew Gardens West London attractions don’t come much more relaxing than the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, where rainbows of wildflowers and gentle strolls among towering trees are the order of the day. Admire exotic tropical plants and endangered species in the soaring Victorian glasshouses, tour the Great Broad Walk’s swoonsome borders and let the kids go wild on the Treetop Walkway. Head for heights? Experience a natural high atop the 18th-century Great Pagoda, a Chinoiserie confection with epic views across the gardens to London beyond. Royal Albert Hall Only one of the most iconic concert halls on the planet, the Royal Albert Hall has played host to more legends than you can shake a conductor’s baton at since its opening (by Queen Victoria, no less) in 1871. We’re talking some of the most powerful voices of the last century, among them Shirley Bassey, Frank Sinatra and Liza Minelli. Muhammed Ali fought here, Winston Churchill gave speeches here, Albert Einstein campaigned here. And the list goes on. Take a tour or, better still, book a seat to see some of today’s biggest stars strut their stuff inside this West London landmark. Richmond Park The largest Royal Park in London, Richmond is also one of the wildest, its herds of some 650 free-roaming deer being one of this vast green space's main attractions. As well as saying hey to the abundant wildlife, you can explore ancient woodlands, fill your IG feed with color thanks to the Isabella Plantation’s dazzling display of pink, mauve and purple azaleas, and take in views as far as St Paul’s Cathedral from atop King Henry’s Mound, a prehistoric burial chamber that dates back to the Bronze Age. Portobello Road Notting Hill's buzzy bric-a-brac market is manna for trinket-hunters – and photographers. Snap selfies in front of the candy-colored houses and traditional storefronts that line the street before getting down to some good old-fashioned rummaging. Market stall wares run the gamut from souvenir tat like replica London street signs and miniature red phone boxes to one-off retro fashions, antique silverware and boxes of vintage vinyl records. Pause for refueling (and to survey the spoils of your spree) at any one of dozens of fine brunch spots along this vibrant stretch. Hogarth’s House This unassuming country house in Chiswick was once home to a titan of English painting and engraving. Yep, the clue’s in the name. Perhaps best known for his moralizing Pilgrim’s Progress, Rake’s Progress and Gin Lane pieces, William Hogarth lived here in West London during his twilight years in the mid-18th Century. Inside, you can wander through the rooms he lived and worked in and explore a large selection of his work. Don’t miss the mulberry tree in the garden, which has stood here since Hogarth’s time. Hampton Court Palace In spite of its somewhat bloody history (particularly under Henry VIII), Hampton Court presents as very much the fairytale palace, all crenelated Tudor towers and storybook brick chimneys. There’s stacks to see and do here at this most westerly of West London attractions. See the world’s oldest grapevine (250 years and counting, fact fans!) and get lost in the epic yew-hedge maze, which has been bamboozling visitors (and palace staff) for centuries. Inside, there’s an extraordinary medieval feasting hall, and a gallery said to be haunted by the screaming (and presumably headless) ghost of one Catherine Howard. Don’t miss the ostentatious Astronomical Clock, a 15-foot-tall mechanical marvel built at the behest of (who else?) Henry VIII, and the Chapel Royal, an extraordinary example of 16th-century baroque architecture, complete with fine Tudor timber ceiling. Save on Activities and Attractions in London Save on admission to London attractions with The London Pass. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Things to do on Remembrance Day in London
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Things to do on Remembrance Day in London

If you're looking for things to do on Remembrance Day in London, check out our guide and discover everything you need to know to commemorate this momentuous day. Including: What is Remembrance Day? The history of Remembrance Day Why do we honour Remembrance Day? Things to do on Remembrance Day in London Other things to do on Remembrance Day in London What is Remembrance Day? This sacred day, marked annually on the 11th of November, carries a unique weight and history, not just in London but across the United Kingdom and far beyond its shores. It is a day that compels the entire city to pause and pay homage to the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of those who have served their nation in times of conflict. Remembrance Day is an occasion that transcends its historical origins; it symbolizes unity, respect, and gratitude, reminding us that we must never forget the lessons of the past. It underscores the unyielding values of peace, democracy, and the freedoms we cherish today. The history of Remembrance Day It falls on the 11th month of the 11th day of the 11th year because that's when the armistice between the Central Powers, made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire, and the Allied Powers, made up of Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Canada, Japan, and the United States, began. The armistice was signed at around 5AM, but it would take time to disseminate the end of the conflict to units across the war's many battlefields. This momentous occasion ended the deadliest human conflict of all time and laid the groundwork for the ceremony we honour today. From those early beginnings, Remembrance Day has evolved into a day of reflection and gratitude, not just for the fallen, but for every person who has gone to war. It's often remembered with the iconic red poppy, which frequently grew on the graves of fallen soldiers during the war. This humble flower was immortalised thanks to the poignant war poem In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. Why do we honour Remembrance Day? Remembrance Day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and courage of those of us who have worn or still wear their nation's uniform. It's a tribute to their unwavering dedication to duty, sacrifice, and valour. Through commemorating these sacrifices, we honor the values of freedom, democracy, and peace that they fought to protect. Remembrance Day isn't merely an exercise in historical remembrance; it reinforces our shared humanity. It unites us in acknowledging our collective responsibility to ensure it never happens again. This day underscores the importance of striving for a world where conflict makes way for dialogue and understanding. It's also a day that transcends borders. The act of remembrance isn't confined to one nation or culture. It's a universal gesture that speaks to the fundamental principles of honor, respect, and gratitude. Through this observance, we weave a tapestry of shared humanity that extends far beyond national identities. Remembrance Day is a day of reflection, gratitude, and unity. It's a day when we pay homage to the past while renewing our commitment to shaping a future marked by peace, understanding, and the enduring values for which so many have sacrificed. In the heart of London, and indeed the world, it stands as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. Things to do on Remembrance Day in London So, let's talk about things to do on Remembrance Day in London. The first, and arguably most famous event, is the Cenotaph service. The Cenotaph, an imposing Whitehall monument, is the focal point of the nation's remembrance. Here, government officials, members of the Royal Family, veterans, and representatives of the armed forces gather in a powerful display of unity and tribute. The moment of silence, marked by the chiming of Big Ben, encapsulates the gravity of the occasion. The Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance is another highlight. This annual event at the Royal Albert Hall is a magnificent tribute combining music, drama, and poignant remembrances. It's a night of reflection and gratitude, where artists and performers unite to honor the fallen and those who continue to serve. For those who seek a more personal and reflective experience, the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey provides a sacred space for reflection. It's a sea of thousands of small wooden crosses, each representing an individual life lost in conflict. Visitors can plant their own cross and pay their respects in a deeply personal way. These are just a few of the many Remembrance Day events that London hosts, each offering a unique perspective on the significance of this day. The city's rich history and unwavering commitment to remembrance create a solemn and inspiring atmosphere. London's events pay homage to the past and inspire a collective commitment to a future marked by peace and unity. Other things to do on Remembrance Day in London If you'll be in London for a few days, or want something to do between Remembrance Day events, check out our picks of other things to do on the day. The first is the Guards Museum, which is dedicated to the elite soldiers handpicked to protect the King or Queen, as well as the Royal Palaces. The museum itself explores how the role of these guards has evolved through the centuries, features artefacts like uniforms that date back to the English Civil War, as well as tonnes of learning materials and photo opportunities. Next is the Royal Airforce Museum, which charts the history of Britain's airborne fighting force - which was created during the First World War. Inside, you'll see a huge number of replica planes, and learn about the brave men and women who piloted them. And finally, you could go and see the Changing of the Guard, the ceremony where the New Guard replaces the King's Guard. It's a grand affair, and one you shouldn't miss while in London! Of course, there's so much more to do and see in England's capital, and with the London Pass, you can see all the city's best bits for one low price!
Dom Bewley
The London Eye
Tower of London

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Tower Bridge
St Paul’s Cathedral