Forming part of the London borough of Newham, Stratford is a bustling town east of the English capital. It was part of a significant urban regeneration project in the lead-up to the 2010 Summer Olympics, with world-class sporting facilities and a legendary theatre among its attractions.
Things to do in Stratford
Dominating much of Stratford is Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a sporting complex and public recreational space constructed for the 2012 Summer Olympics. It’s home to the 66,000-capacity London Stadium and the London Aquatics Centre, which was designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. Watching over the park is the Orbit, a 114.5-metre sculpture and observation tower that is the largest piece of public art in Britain.
One of the most scenic ways to explore Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is by swan pedalo, which can be hired adjacent to the London Aquatics Centre. If you’re not feeling so energetic, you can jump aboard a boat tour to cruise the River Lea as it snakes its way around the Wick Woodland and the Hackney Marshes.
For a cultural fix, coincide your visit with a performance at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, which occupies a Grade II-listed building designed by James George Buckle. In 1990, it showed the world premiere of “Five Guys Named Moe”, which went on to win an Olivier Award and tour around the globe. The Theatre Royal lies adjacent to the Stratford Shopping Centre where you’ll find international brand retailers, eateries and a farmer’s market.
Getting around Stratford
Stratford is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of London and one hour from Heathrow Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains and light rail services connect to Stratford International Station while buses travel throughout the town.