Situated in the east of London, Tower Hamlets covers much of the traditional East End, or often referred to as the East End Of London. Formed in 1965, Tower Hamlets presents a mix of old and new, a bustling community unique in culture and character.

Here, you will be taken to a stunning view of the borough’s panoramic riverside and truly fascinating architecture. Visitors to Tower Hamlets are also spoiled with an array of activities, whether it is entertainment, shopping, visiting, or eating, this place will surely have something for everyone.

1. What makes Tower Hamlets unique?
2. Tower Hamlets popular attractions
3. Nightlife in Tower Hamlets
4. Sports in Tower Hamlets
5. Food in Tower Hamlets
6. Markets in Town Hamlets
7. Festivals and events in Tower Hamlets
8. Travel in and around Tower Hamlets
9. Explore nearby boroughs from Tower Hamlets

Photo credit: ianVisits

1. What makes Tower Hamlets unique?

Tower Hamlets got its name from the historical association between the Tower of London and the hamlets that surrounds it. Populated by colorful characters from Dick Turpin to Captain Cook, Town Hamlet is the part of London where Roman legions marched and also Queen Victoria’s most loved place.

Being the location for many famous residents and ex-residents such as Marcus Garvey (leader of the first American Black nationalist movement), Dr Barnado, or Henry Orbell (founding member of the independent labour party), Tower Hamlets is famed for its close locality to London and Multi Culture.

Tower Hamlets is currently a spectacular regeneration district with the pyramid topped Canary Wharf Tower being the centre for many Europe finance centres. For its stunning skyline and high-rises, this place is often referred to as ‘Manhattan-on-Thames.’ The borough is dominated by the White Tower which is home to numerous famous old Crown jewels, armour, and famous ravens.

As a culturally diverse district, Tower Hamlet also includes one of the highest ethnic minority populations in the capital and has an established British Bangladeshis business and residents community. It is also home to Brick Lane, a world renowned street of curry houses.

Tower Hamlet was one of the five host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Photo credit: Tower Hamlets Council via Flickr

2. Tower Hamlets popular attractions

Tower Hamlets is full of fun things to do and unique places to visit. Despite being just a district, however within this wonderful place, there are numerous places you can not miss, including:

• Green space. There are over a hundred parks and open spaces, ranging from the beautiful and award-winning Victoria Park to the most iconic Mile End park, and other small gardens and squares (smallest being at 1.19 ha).
• Tower of London. Tower Hamlet’s most famous castle, built by King William I in 1066 after conquering England. Being the prison for the realm’s enemies and home of the Crown Jewels, the palace’s buildings is a significant symbol for its history and power.
• Dennis Severs House. A famous residential house that was previously owned by Dennis Severs from 1979 until 1999. Until today, this house was converted into a time capsule of different areas in London’s history, showcasing how families lived from the 18th century to the 20th century.
• V&A Museum of Childhood. This museum exhibits numerous collections of interactive learning that gives children more direct knowledge of history and how it has influenced the modern world.
• Museum of London Docklands. This museum focuses on the history and importance of the River Thames with exhibits that include the history of trade, how the river has great significance to the overall city, and London’s regrets in the infamous slave trade.

Photo credit: Hire Space

3. Nightlife in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is a fantastic place for you to not only experience breathtaking day views, but also enjoy the nocturnal life with ever-growing selection of bars and pubs. Whether it is laid back drinks, comedy venues, or a full blown corporate party, this borough got you covered.

Not only that but Tower Hamlets also provide you with responsible management and operation of alcohol-licensed premises. Known as the Best Bar None scheme, this borough’s nightlife economy has always been an attraction for tourists.

With about 30 access and approved venues, you can experience different night vibes, from the most eclectic to the most fun and calming. Like 28 West, Big Chill Bar, Drapers Bar & Grill, or Sports Bar & Grill, you can expect to be in a calm and relaxing atmosphere, making it an ideal location for casual drinks after work with colleagues. For a more intense drinking night out with diverse music tracks, The First Friday Club or The Backstreet are definitely exclusive locations you can not miss.

If you want to end your day with some laughter, Backyard Cinema is an optimal place to visit. Being one of London’s top professional comedy venues, you are expected to be provided with the best stand-up comedies and entertainment.

Photo credit: cloudzilla via Wikimedia

4. Sports in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is home to two football clubs, Tower Hamlets F.C and Sporting Bengal United F.C, who are both a part of the Essex Senior Football League. Their games can be enjoyed at the Mile End Stadium. KO Muay Thai Gym and Apolaki Krav Maga & Dirty Boxing Academy are the main martial arts and combat sport training in the area, located in Bethnal Green.

Other state-of-the-art facilities open to the public include:

• York Hall Leisure Centre in Bethnal Green
• John Orwell Sports Centre in Wapping
• Mile End Park Leisure Centre
• Poplar Baths Leisure Centre

Photo credit: Alan Spedding via Flickr

5. Food in Tower Hamlets

Situated along the banks of River Thames, Tower Hamlets is known as a food heaven that celebrates its pleasures of eating and drinking by the beautiful waterside. From world class restaurants to friendly, traditional pubs, this borough caters for all tastes and can suit any budgets.

For visitors who want to experience high-class dining at the centre of Tower Hamlets, there are a number of Michelin-starred restaurants including Social Eating House, Pollen Street Social, The Ritz London, Alain Ducase, and Locanda Locatelli, that offers a modern and exciting bistro menu stacked with the best locally-sourced and seasonal products.

A wide variety of other restaurants can also be seen to be scattered throughout this borough, from the centre to the beautiful Tower Bridge, St Katharine Docks to West India Quay, and the iconic Canary Wharf to Bethnal Green, this is a perfect place for you to have a memorable fine dining experience.

Photo credit: Clem Onojeghuo via Unsplash

6. Markets in Town Hamlets

Your visit to Town Hamlets would not be completed without a casual stroll around its great market scene. Tower Hamlets, with a justifiably proud history and tradition on many of the borough’s markets, offers year round trading in London. From the many vibrant, diverse, and contrasting street markets, Tower Hamlets also boasts some of London’s most iconic and internationally renowned street markets.

The 10 most famous markets in Tower Hamlet includes:

• Brick Lane Market. Established in 1988, this historic street is a famous focal point for the Banglabeshi community. Home to bustling flea-markets, authentic ethnic street food, and household goods.
• Columbia Road Flower Market. Famed for its home grown and imported flowers and plants, this market is also home to 60 independent shops, several art galleries and antique sellers.
• Petticoat Lane Market. An iconic market with a rich history in textiles that comprises numerous fashion and leather goods stalls and Asian and Africa fabric shops.
• Petticoat Lane Street Food. Great place for reasonably priced street food.
• Whitechapel Market. A major interchange and transportation hub that includes an array of fresh fruits, exotic vegetables, spices, fashion, cultural wear, and jewellery.
• Chrisp Street Market. Dated back to the Victorian times, this place is famed for its renowned selection of fruit and vegetables stalls. You can also shop for clothing, linens, and household essentials.
• Roman Road Market. Located on the oldest known trade route in England, you can roam around numerous old-styled clothing stalls, household items, cosmetics, and jewellery.
• Roman Road Square Market. Established in the 1800, it was a prominent location for silk weavers living in Bethnal Green. It is famous for the fruit and vegetables, and fish sellers and its long-established culture of home cooking.
• Watney Market. Offer breathtaking views of the borough’s diverse range of residents. In this community-focused place, you will be offered a heady mix of gadgetry, fruits, vegetables, fashion, cultural wear, and household goods.
• Bethnal Green Market. Better known for its on-going association with boxing, a major local shopping area and important social meeting place for the community, you can buy a range of items, from clothes, to fruits and vegetables.

Photo credit: Bex Walton via Flickr

7. Festivals and events in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is full of life, culture, and diversity when the community comes together to celebrate, share, and enjoy the many events and festivals every year. These include:

• Connected by Light. A curated collection of light artworks that brings new installations to the Canary Wharf estate where visitors can enjoy.
• Chinese Lion Dance (Online). Watch a breath-taking traditional Dragon Dance for the Chinese New Year 2021.
• Holocaust Memorial Day. To commemorate the millions of people murdered during Nazi persecution through film screenings and self guided walks.
• Altab Ali and the Fight For Equality. Altad Ali (a brutally murdered young Bengali man) commemoration day that highlights the stand against racial intolerance.
• A Season of Bangla Drama. A drama festival that showcases local talent as well as shedding light on a range of issues relevant to the British-Bangla experience.

Photo credit: Barry Lilburn via Flickr

8. Travel in and around Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is a well connected area with numerous public transportation including tubes, bus, and train links across the borough to the City and the West End. Other transportation options such as taxi and mobility minibuses are also available in case public transport gets crowded or traveling outside of the borough.

By metro

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a common public transport that serves the docklands areas of the borough. It also serves convenient transportation to the London City Airport and other destinations.

Also, it has 3 London Underground serves a total of 8 stations, including connection between Hammersmith & City to Aldgate East and Barking, and Central line to Bethnal Green.

9. Explore nearby boroughs from Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is an ideal base for you to start exploring the rest of London’s unique boroughs. Even though it is all a part of the same ceremonial county, Greater London, each district withhold different traditions and cultural heritage that is just worth exploring. From an array of iconic attractions, historic landmarks to stunning countryside, you are just a train ride away.

Hackney

With just a few minutes train ride, you will be in one of London’s most diverse and multicultural districts which has undergone immense regeneration. From its extensive history dating back to the Romans, Hackney is a place of historical significance which stands to 1,300 listed buildings including the famous Hackney Empire, Tudor Sutton House, and the Grade I medieval St Augustine’s Tower.

Home to young creative types, it is also an area with strong community ties and is known for its exclusive restaurants and unmatched bustling nightlife. Over the last decade, creativity has flocked Hackney with a slew of new businesses, from coffee shops to fashion stores. This is an ideal location for anyone looking to a change of culture and vibes.

Photo credit: Peter Boolkah via Flickr

Newham

Newham is one of the six host boroughs for the 2021 Summer Olympics and home to most of the Olympic Park including London Stadium. With a strong sports history, Newham is also home to famous football club West Ham United.

Located at the heart of London’s docklands, Newham is ground to 100 acre ExCel Exhibition Centre, and hosted the annual London Boat Show. Here, you will also experience an array of great leisure activities from excellent shopping centres, great restaurants, and stunning buildings.

Southwark

This is a bustling district located by the River Thames, famous for its cultural attractions such as the Tate Modern gallery and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. It is a perfect place for a family trip to visit some of the world’s more exclusive galleries, fascinating architecture, and exclusive museums. Especially with a range of houses built from the 1800s with red brick style and decent garden space, it highlights the unique historical heritage of this place.

Famous for being Charlie Chaplin’s residential place, Southwark also withholds a rich art and music scene and amazing shopping centres with a wide variety of restaurants.