21 best things to do in Stratford, London

How we chose the best things to do in Stratford

Our team of Visit London authors are London locals and experts who have years of experience exploring the city's many unique neighbourhoods. We keep updated with new openings and special events, sharing our deep knowledge of iconic sites and hidden corners of the capital. Our insights into the visitor experience help us understand what people are looking for and what remains culturally significant in the city.

In this guide, you'll find everything you need, along with our top tips and recommendations, all curated from our expertise and experience.

Stratford's top things to do

Find all the best ways to spend your time visiting this cool east London neighbourhood, packed with unique activities, vast parkland and many creative spaces.

Whether you're an art and fashion enthusiast, love spending time shopping at some of the top brands or simply want to find out more about this riverside location, explore the best of Stratford with our top tips and highlights.

1. Browse thought-provoking collections at V&A East Museum – best for lovers of contemporary art

Make your way to the sand-coloured structural masterpiece along Stratford’s East Bank, the latest addition to the V&A family and high on our list of top picks in the area: V&A East Museum. Set across five floors, reignite a childlike sense of wonder as you navigate through the two "Why We Make" galleries, which feature a multitude of pieces from textiles and architecture to digital artworks and historic objects.

On the fourth floor, the temporary gallery takes visitors on an emotional journey through sound in its debut exhibition, The Music Is Black. Make sure to head to the top floor during your visit to take in the impressive views from the outdoor terrace and browse the gift shops for trendy, one-of-a-kind gallery gifts.

Best for: Browsing an extensive assortment of artworks in east London.
Good to know: There's a cafe on the ground floor serving breakfast and an all-day menu, featuring hot and cold sandwiches, baked goods, salads, bowls and hot food from the kitchen, such as curry, soup and pasta. 

2. Get into glam for ABBA Voyage – best for a time-hopping sing and dance

Follow the crowds dressed head-to-toe in 70s-inspired outfits and sequins on your way to ABBA Voyage, one of the most special live shows we have ever seen.

Prepare for a wow moment as the iconic band takes to the stage to relive their legacy. Without giving anything away, we've never experienced anything quite like it, and while the band isn't physically there, you can really feel their presence. The set list is perfect, with something for everyone, and the crowd dances and sings the whole way through. We left the show wanting to do it all over again!

Best for: Fans of ABBA looking to let their hair down and relive a special moment.
Good to know: There is a strict "no photo, no video" policy, so make sure to take photos of your outfits beforehand. We recommend getting them in front of the venue before the event, as it gets busy at the end of the show.

3. Slide down the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture – best for unique city views and thrill seekers

If you're after striking views and an activity that gets the heart pumping, a visit to the ArcelorMittal Orbit is a great option, and one of our top picks in Stratford.

Designed by Sir Anish Kapoor for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this distinctive red sculpture has become synonymous with Stratford and can be seen across the neighbourhood. Head up the stairs or the lift and take some time to admire the impressive views of the park and beyond. Once you've signed the waiver and given your protective gear, get ready for an exhilarating ride down the 178-metre-long (584ft) winding slide – the longest in the world!

Best for: Families and adrenaline lovers looking for a unique London experience with a view.
Good to know: Visitors are provided with a soft, protective helmet, arm covers and a sack to lie in, but we also recommend wearing comfortable clothing you don't mind getting scuffed.

Activities, culture and experiences

4. Catch a show at Stratford East – best for world-class theatre and live comedy

Bag tickets to a show at Stratford East, a London institution which rose to fame when it became the home of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop Company and now provides a platform for pioneering productions and community projects.

We love this 460-seat theatre for its intimate size and rich history. It's interesting to think about its use as a playhouse during the Victorian era! You can expect to find a variety of shows here, from seasonal productions and new writing to comedy shows, all with the shared theme of local representation spanning the city's diverse cultural backgrounds, which it's been renowned for since its opening.

Best for: Local theatre and a slice of east London history.
Good to know: There's a bronze statue of Joan Littlewood outside the theatre titled The Mother of Modern Theatre, an ode to her lasting legacy. 

5. Unearth V&A East Storehouse objects – best for a deep dive into history and culture

Examine centuries of culture through the objects on display at V&A East Storehouse, from intimate household items and pivotal historic artefacts to modern-day design feats.

As you enter the museum, you'll be greeted with fascinating objects, some sealed and tied up in place – it really feels as though you're stepping behind the scenes. Observe everything from old doll's houses, kitchenware, sports memorabilia and iconic clothing through the ages to an entire facade of a now-demolished east London housing estate. Don't miss the conservation overlook on level three, where you get to watch the restoration process in person.

Best for: Delving into different worlds, cultures and moments in time through objects. 
Good to know: The main space is free to enter, but you need to book advance tickets for temporary exhibitions, object encounters or 'book an object', where you can get up close to objects from the collections.

6. Splash the cash at Westfield London – best for shopping at major brands and high-street labels

Many people regard London as one of the best shopping destinations in the world, and Stratford is easily one of the best shopping neighbourhoods in the city, home to London’s biggest shopping centre, Westfield Stratford City.

Set across three main floors, there are maps dotted throughout the centre to help you navigate the many shops, including the five-level John Lewis and four-level M&S. Feeling peckish? Follow the smell of fresh international cuisines cooking in the food court. And be sure to check out the cinema, All Star Lanes and Bat & Ball if you’re after an activity during your visit.

Best for: A day spent browsing a wide variety of shops.
Good to know: The shopping centre is located right next to Stratford Station, so it's worth popping in, even just briefly, if you're travelling to the area. 

Where to eat in Stratford

7. Feast on tacos and tostadas at Lucia’s – best for fresh, meaty tacos and punchy tequila cocktails

Lucia’s is a little gem in an unassuming corner of Hackney Wick, slinging out some of the best tacos in town.

If, like us, you think one of the best experiences in the world is catching up with friends and loved ones, eating freshly made corn tacos with your hands and washing them down with margaritas, add this restaurant to your hit list. You could easily miss the venue, but open the door, and a wave of smoke from the open fires greets you at the scene of chefs cooking up a storm. Expect tender, juicy meats, freshly made salsas to dip or pour and a sprinkling of diced onion and coriander to garnish... chef's kiss!

Best for: Bold Mexican-inspired flavours, fall-apart meat and drinks spiked with mezcal.
Good to know: The restaurant doesn't take reservations, and seats are snapped up fast, so we suggest trying on a quiet weekday. And expect to sit at the counter, one of the best and only seats in the house besides a couple of outdoor stools in the warmer months.

8. Browse the street food stalls at Hackney Bridge – best for freshly made international delights

If you're on the lookout for a great value meal that doesn't skimp on flavour, you must try one of the vendors cooking up dishes from around the world at Hackney Bridge.

Follow the vibrant smells to this market set within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, just a short stroll from V&A East Storehouse and Copper Box Arena. You'll find plenty of options, from Filipino barbecue bowls and Neapolitan pizzas to Mexican tacos and Japanese fried chicken. Most vendors give you a buzzer that goes off when your food is ready, so you can find a seat while you wait – we recommend heading to the outside terrace to enjoy the rays on a sunny day. And, if you fancy a drink, there's also a bar serving up beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic tipples.

Best for: Mouth-watering street food with a scenic riverside view.
Good to know: Look out for events taking place at the venue, including flea markets, music festivals and food and wine fairs.

9. Indulge in elegant dining at HERA – best for Greek small plates in a stylish setting

Flick through the menu of Greek dishes at HERA, one of our favourite restaurants in the neighbourhood and a top pick for special occasions.

Step foot inside this open-plan restaurant, and you'll instantly be wowed by the glamorous chandeliers and attentive waiters. Notice how every dish on the tables around you looks good… you'll want to order everything on the menu! We suggest sharing a few starters and appetisers before tucking into a main. Two highlights are the feta saganaki drizzled with lemon honey and the chargrilled chicken skewer marinated in honey mustard.

Best for: A Mediterranean culinary journey with elegant surroundings.
Good to know: You can relax in the lounge at the front of the restaurant before or after your meal, where we suggest trying one of the delectable signature cocktails.

10. Bite into eggslut’s cult-favourite sandwiches – best for gourmet egg brioche buns

Are you the type of person who craves breakfast or brunch in the afternoon? Or perhaps you're just a sucker for a sandwich piled high with scrumptious fillings and punchy homemade sauces? Either way, you can't go wrong with a trip to eggslut, which started churning out breakfast rolls from a van in LA and now has a handful of restaurants in London.

You can find smoked salmon, crispy pork belly, spicy fried chicken and cheeseburger options. Our favourite is the Fairfax, though: creamy scrambled eggs topped with chives, caramelised onions, cheddar cheese and sriracha mayo encased in a warm brioche bun, with a side of duck fat hash browns to share. It's priced on the higher end, but the portions are very generous, and every individual ingredient, down to the bun, is delectable.

Best for: Fans of breakfast and brunch-filled brioche buns.
Good to know: On a bright, sunny day, we recommend taking your food to go and finding a spot at Victory Park just opposite the restaurant to enjoy a picnic.

Nightlife and entertainment

11. Soak up the good vibes at Hackney Wick venues – best for bars, clubs and riverside breweries

No visit to Stratford is complete without a visit to Hackney Wick, and while its independent shops and cafes make it a lovely spot to visit during the day, it really comes alive at night. Begin your evening at one of the many pubs, bars and breweries in the area.

Beer Merchants Tap is a craft beer bar and bottle shop with cosy interiors and lots of outdoor seating. Howling Hops is a brewery with benches, pouring draught lager and IPAs directly from the kegs. Crate is a brewery and pizzeria with riverside seating, which hosts day parties in the summer. Grow is an independent community bar with a riverside garden and live music. As night falls, Number 90 Bar & Kitchen, All My Friends and Colour Factory are all great options to kick on and take to the dancefloor, with a weekly roster of DJs and artists.

Best for: Catching up with mates over beers and cocktails before taking to the dancefloor.
Good to know: In the warmer months, you can hire canoes and kayaks from Moo Canoes and enjoy the lively atmosphere from the river!

12. Bag tickets to a show at Sadler’s Wells East – best for boundary-pushing dance performances

Discover contemporary dance performances at Sadler's Wells East, a 550-seat theatre with a schedule of exciting daily events and production studios.

Describing itself as an inspirational hub for creativity, you can expect to find productions here that focus on dance as a form of art and expression: performances that break the mould and add a contemporary twist to classic stories. Some events have even immersed the audience, bringing them centre stage to experience the dancers up close. There's truly something for everyone here, just don't go expecting a conventional trip to the theatre!

Best for: Boundary-pushing dance performances.
Good to know: If you're keen to start dancing or are already learning, there are different groups, classes and events to get moving with other members of the community; just check what's on on the official website.

13. Cheer on live events at Copper Box Arena – best for world-class music, gaming and sporting events

From major sporting and gaming events to live music performances, secure tickets to some of the best events in the city, taking place at Copper Box Arena.

Feel the grandeur as soon as you set foot inside the stadium, which was purpose-built for several sporting events during the 2012 Olympic Games. Now, the stadium, with seats for 7,500 spectators, brings a variety of exciting events to east London, from live gaming competitions and huge music events to table tennis world championships and boxing matches. Gorillaz recently performed their House of Kong shows at the venue.

Best for: A variety of top-class major events.
Good to know: The arena is home to the London Lions basketball and London Pulse netball teams, with regular games you can watch live.

Family-friendly things to do

14. Play, eat and compete at Draughts – best for fun with the family in a stylish setting

Challenge your friends and family to your favourite board games at Draughts in Stratford, which brought the first-ever game board cafe to London.

Browse through the huge collection of more than 1,000 games across two floors, with everything you can think of, ranging from quick-fire group card games to two-player board games. The atmosphere is super relaxing, with warm lighting and dark wood accents that make it feel like you're sitting in someone's living room. You can order food and drinks from your table or at the bar, with lots of options including nachos, fried chicken, burgers and tacos. Large groups can also order food and drink packages.

Best for: Fans of games!
Good to know: In the warmer months, you can sit on tables outside the front of the building, overlooking the riverside and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

15. Make a splash at the London Aquatics Centre – best for swimming at an Olympic venue

Ever wondered what it's like to swim in an Olympic pool? Book a slot at the London Aquatics Centre and find out for yourself!

This huge wave-shaped venue boasts two 50-metre-long pools, a separate pool with diving platforms and even a dry diving area to perfect your diving skills. Choose from a variety of sessions, including adult and child swimming lessons, family swimming, inclusive swimming lessons, weekend inflatable parties and more!

Best for: Those looking to learn or improve their swimming ability.
Good to know: There's plenty of seating at the viewing platforms, which is ideal for parents to sit and watch.

Parks and outdoor spaces

16. Wander scenic trails through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – best for spending time among nature

Stratford is surrounded by Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, making it a great spot to visit for some fresh air and outside activities.

Covering 560 acres (2.5 sq km), the space is made up of parkland, woods and waterways, and is home to more than 4,000 trees, 25 acres of wildflower meadows and hundreds of habitats. Visit the London Blossom Garden, which features 33 trees representing each of the city's boroughs, and the Great British Garden, which has been planted with flowers to represent each of the Olympic medal colours. Check out the Olympic rings at Park Meadows, a great spot for picnics. Or, let off steam at Tumbling Bay Playground with its giant treehouses, slides, swings and sand pits.

Best for: Long riverside walks and landmark spotting.
Good to know: Some paths and roads inside the park can be winding and vary in elevation. We suggest choosing one of the different trails, keeping in mind how long you want to explore and where you want to end.

17. Follow art and nature along The Line – best for admiring artworks in the great outdoors

The Line is a public art trail in east London featuring works from 24 different international artists, connecting Stratford with Greenwich.

The first artwork on the trail is called Please Take a Seat by Mahtab Hussain. Situated in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, it features a cast-iron bench with engraved wooden slats, a modern take on a classic Victorian park bench, which pays homage to the local Youth Collective group. Just a short stroll away, you'll find the next two works on the trail: ArcelorMittal Orbit and The Slide that wraps around it, designed by Anish Kapoor and Carsten Holler. Continue your journey along The Line all the way to The O2 or discover more works dotted around the park with the Art on the Park Trail.

Best for: Discovering cool artworks while among nature.
Good to know: There are several trails you can follow around the park, and artworks, including Temporal Trace by Lubna Chowdhary and Lemon Meringue by Michael Landy, on the waterfront.

18. Flex your skills at Roof East – best for games night with a city skyline backdrop

Enjoy games night with a twist at Roof East, one of our favourite places to visit with friends when the evenings start getting longer. Open annually from spring through summer, the rooftop is free to enter, with walk-ins only, and tables available on a first-come, first-served basis.

We recommend booking games in advance as slots fill up fast! Find everything from crazy golf and archery to baseball batting. Or rock up and get involved in the free games on offer, including ping pong, beat the bar, cornhole and topple blocks, with a selection of street food vendors and bars to keep you fuelled. Rooftop Cinema Club also hosts open-air movie nights next door – one of our favourite summer activities!

Best for: Groups or couples looking for a night out with activities.
Good to know: Check the weather before booking, as the rooftop is best enjoyed in the sun and most games go ahead come rain or shine!

Where to stay in Stratford

19. Stay in style at The Stratford – best for modern luxury with a rooftop terrace

Get ready to be wowed as you enter The Stratford, Autograph Collection, which easily makes our top list of accommodations in the neighbourhood.

Designed by Space Copenhagen, the sleek Scandinavian interiors blend warmth with style, making for a stay you'll never want to end. Unwind by the fireplace in the spacious lounge, dine at Kokin, a Japanese fire-led restaurant, or catch some rays from the open-air terrace or mezzanine, both serving vibrant cocktails and drinks from the bar. There's also an on-site gym, fitness classes, wellbeing treatments and a schedule of weekly events, making this a hotel that really has it all.

Best for: Visitors looking for premium comfort and top amenities.
Good to know: The hotel has 145 rooms and shares the building and its amenities with Manhattan Loft Gardens, which boasts 248 individually designed loft apartments made for longer stays.

20. Check into playful comfort at Snoozebox – best for a visit to ABBA Voyage

We've never come across something quite like Snoozebox Olympic Park, a hotel made from shipping containers, next door to ABBA Voyage.

Check into one of 78 rooms equipped with a private shower, air conditioning, flat-screen TV and free wifi. Located just across the road from ABBA Arena, this adult-only hotel is the ideal option for concert attendees, with quick, easy check-in, low prices and an outdoor bar and terrace to begin your experience among like-minded fans. Enjoy cocktails and street food at the on-site bar and kitchen, or add on a continental breakfast for the morning after!

Best for: Easy accommodation, a short stroll from ABBA Voyage.
Good to know: The only room option is a standard double featuring an en-suite bathroom, one double bed and a single bunk bed, accommodating a maximum of two guests per room. 

21. Sip cocktails with a view at The Gantry – best for arty interiors and a prime location

Stay at The Gantry, just a short walk away from all the top things to do in Stratford, as well as the main station with transport links to the rest of the city.

This design-led hotel describes itself as an "urban resort", with stylish interiors and comfortable rooms with modern accents and amenities. Guests can enjoy relaxed all-day dining at the main first-floor restaurant or head up to STK Stratford on the rooftop for juicy steaks, cocktails and views across the city. This hotel is a great place to stay for families, with connecting rooms and bespoke family experiences to ensure a seamless, memorable stay for parents and children.

Best for: Staying within easy access to Stratford and the rest of the city.
Good to know: The hotel is just an eight-minute walk from Westfield Stratford City and Stratford International Station.

Keep exploring London's neighbourhoods. Check out the buzzing art and dining hotspot of nearby Hoxton and Shoreditch, head south of the river to uncover the historic gems of Greenwich, or get your culture fix in central Kensington and South Kensington.