Newham Area guide
Newham is London's most diverse borough and this is reflected in the range of restaurants, shops, activities and cultural events you can find in the area. Benefitting from literally billions of pounds worth of investment stemming from the 2012 London Olympics, the borough is now home to genuinely world-class sporting, recreational, shopping and cultural centres. And West Ham United.
The major areas of Newham are Stratford, Canning Town, East Ham, Plaistow and Forest gate (view a full list of Newham’s wards in 2022 here)
Newham is London’s third most populous borough with a population of just under 390,000 as of 2021.
History
The London Borough of Newham was established in 1965 by the London government act and combined the Essex county boroughs of EAST ham and WEST ham to create NEW ham (learn more about this here).
Stratford and the 2012 Olympics
In 2012 Stratford hosted the London Olympic and paralympic games (how is that 10 years ago already?) and the area is now home to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP), London Aquatics Centre and gym, velodrome and of course the London stadium.
The 2012 games were a resounding success and the legacy of the games lives on, through the facilities and continued development of the site and the area as a whole. In addition to the Park and existing facilities, the ‘East Bank’ is nearing completion bringing with is
To read more about the continued development of the Olympic site, click here
Shopping in Newham
Great independents
Newham Bookshop (Website)
Westfield Stratford City (Website) (tripadvisor)
Home to some of the biggest brand names in the world, countless restaurants, a cinema complex and Casino, Westfield Stratford become one of the country's finest shopping destinations the second it opened back in 2011.
Today it attracts shoppers from across London, Hertfordshire and Essex.
Not on the high street
Stratford workshops is home to a diverse range of small businesses including jewellers, bespoke embroidery, fashion, media and B2B services. A large historic building, you can find a full list of the businesses here
Where to eat in Newham
Zzetta Soul Fired Pizza (website) (Tripadvisor)
Highly rated by locals which is always a good sign
Haugen (website) (Tripadvisor)
Aromas Tandoori Restaurant (website) (Tripadvisor)
To check out our guide to eating out in Stratford, click here
Great Coffee in Newham
Unit 6, The Stratford Centre - Tripadvisor
A hidden gem and a visual treat. Some real effort goes into making this place stand out.
If you know of a great place to eat out in Newham that we’ve missed out then click here to tell us about it!
Things to do in Newham
Go to the match! Since 2016 West Ham United have played their home games at the ‘London Stadium’ and although many games sell out, tickets are sometimes available online and via ticket exchanges.
The London Aquatics Centre
Go swimming! The London Aquatics centre hosts a full-size Olympic swimming pool and diving boards with activities like
Snooker
Reading with the kids! The Discover children's story centre is an immersive story telling experience.
Stratford Circus (wiki)
Beat the odds - Aspers Casino
Take a class
Book your wedding ring workshop, click here
Make your own wedding ring workshop
Make a wallet - Leather craft workshop (Obby)
The slide at the Arcelor Mittal Orbit (Tripadvisor)
Now, this is a giant slide I can personally vouch for having taken the plunge in 2019! The views over the East end and of QEOP are a pleasure followed by a rapid but enjoyable descent full of twists and turns. Brilliant.
Where to stay in Newham
Newham is home to top-class hotels, quirky Air Bnbs and plenty of budget to mid-range hotel rooms to suit all tastes.
5 Star luxury
The Gantry (website)
The Stratford Hotel London (website)
Moxy London Stratford (website)
Business
Budget
I would be surprised if there was anywhere in the country with a higher density of budget hotels per square mile than Stratford. The ‘Stratford Strip’ is home to all the big names with a few independent hotels sprinkled in there too.
Premier Inn Stratford (Website)
Travelodge Stratford (Tripadvisor)
Ibis London Stratford (Website) (Tripadvisor)
Ibis London Canning Town (Website) (Tripadvisor)
Cool Air Bnbs
Live like an Olympian - Stay in a flat inside the Olympic village, built for the Athletes competing at the 2012 games. From £181 per night sleeps 4.
Stylist Townhouse - Sleeps 10
Where to live
Houses for sale in Newham
Stratford - Again, benefiting from the investment the area has received, Stratford is one of the capital's most up-and-coming areas. Brand new communities have been and are being created alongside the vibrant established communities of East London. They benefit from excellent transport links
Newbuild flats in East Ham, Newham
East Ham
Canning Town
Unique Properties
Where to chill - Parks and open spaces
East Ham Nature reserve TripAdvisor
Memorial recreation ground Parksandgardens.org
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic park Website
With free outdoor bouldering, playground and water fountains for the kids landscaped wildflower gardens, an outdoor gym and plenty of space to cycle and scoot around, this large open space is a welcome retreat when quiet and bustling recreational hub when it's busy (basically whenever the sun is out)
Wansted Flats Map Tripadvisor
Do you know a great park in Newham that we’ve missed? Click here to e-mail us and tell us about it.
Coming in to Land at London city airport in Newham
Travel and transport
Planes, trains and automobiles, Newham has it all.
London City Airport (Website) (Parking info) (Directions and travel info)
Connecting business travellers to Europe, London City Airport is the capital’s most unassuming airport.
Stratford International (Website) (Buy tickets)
Stratford Train Station
Stratford Station
East London's central travel hub connecting London Overground and Greater Anglia services to tube, DLR and bus routes. A short walk from Stratford International and more or less inside Westfield Stratford.
The Elizabeth Line (TFL website) (tube map pdf)
The brand spanking new Elizabeth line connects East to west cutting journey times from Stratford into Liverpool and out to West London.
Where to work out in Newham?
Gyms in Newham
Gymbox - Stratford Website Website
London Aquatic centre & Gym Website
Crossfit 1971 Website
Do you know of any great gyms we’ve missed? You can e-mail us here
Live music in Newham
Pitch (Website)
Where to drink in Newham
The East end of London is home to many historic pubs as well as cocktail and wine bars a plenty!
The bat and ball, Westfield Stratford Website Tripadvisor
The Abby Tap Website Tripadvisor
Printhouse Bar and Kitchen Website Tripadvisor
Click here for our run down of pubs in Stratford.
Where to study in Newham
The future home of a UAL & UCL campus, Stratford
University of East London (website)
Birkbeck (website)
Stratford Library - Website Tripadvisor
Cycling in Newham
Newham's cycling strategies aim is that 5% of journeys in the borough will be made by bike by 2025
Jubilee Greenway (TFL website)
Separate cycle lanes in Stratford
Cycle all the way to Beckton
Cycle to the river
Canals
Map of cycle routes in Newham (PDF)
Experiences in Newham
Stratford Business improve the district Website
Co-working in Newham
Us and co, Burford Road
Investing in Newham
Getting married in Newham
Religious sites in Newham
London Sri Murugan Hindu Temple Website Tripadvisor
St Johns Church, Stratford Website
Have we missed a religious site in Newham? Let us know
Historical Landmarks
Pumping station Trip Advisor
