Stratford to Liverpool Street

The Olympic and Victoria Parks, then East London sights, history and culture

About this Walk

Some advisory notes

Be careful not to post/walk on days where:

• West Ham football club are playing at home and fans may be leaving a match as you approach the Olympic Park

• During dates when events take place in or pass through East London such as the London Marathon

• During dates where events take place in Victoria Park 

Also avoid travelling through Victoria Park during the hours of darkness (it’s locked up)
Lastly, as you'll have seen, London is an ever developing city and the route described may need to vary if there is construction work occurring. Where possible I advise you to use the GPS files to assist in workarounds should they be necessary. Sculptures may also come and go.

Some places of interest

The Olympic Park

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, was built to be the home of the Olympic games in 2012 and  he ArcelorMittal Orbit (AKA Orbit Tower), a 114 metre tall observation tower commissioned as a piece of public art to the legacy of the games. Designed by Sir Anish Kapoor, it now boasts a helta-skelta for those with steady nerves to try. 

Unlike some other Olympic venues, the Olympic Park has thrived, providing a much needed recreational area for East Londoners and beyond, particularly during the COVID pandemic which started in 2020

Burdett-Coutts Drinking Fountain

The Baroness Burdett-Coutts Drinking Fountain (also known as the Victoria Fountain) is a Grade II* listed, Victorian-Gothic structure in Victoria Park. Built in 1862 at a staggering cost of £5,000, the monument was donated by philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts to provide clean water and combat cholera in the East End

Spittlefields City Farm

A small but interesting City Farm.  Find out more at https://www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org/

19 Princelet Street

19 Princelet Street is one of the most extraordinary and – in recent decades – the most mysterious buildings in Spitalfields. Most of the early-eighteenth century Huguenot houses of the area have been restored since they served as sweatshops in the earlier twentieth century, and overcrowded slums in the nineteenth century. However, at 19 Princelet Street, the oppressive poverty of the people who inhabited its rooms most recently is still palpable. Most surprising is the survival of the Victorian synagogue built onto the back of the earlier house. Complete with its fittings and holy ark, it is a testament to a Yiddish-speaking Eastern European Jewish community which helped to define this part of East London, and which has since vanished with so little trace.

RajMahal Sweet Shop

Rajmahal Sweets is a highly rated dessert and street food shop at 57 Brick Lane, renowned for its authentic Bangladeshi mishti, Indian sweets, and hot Karak chai. It is a popular spot for both traditional desserts and savory snacks.

Flower and Dean Walk

Victorian Era: In the 1800s, Flower & Dean Street was at the absolute heart of the Spitalfields rookery, widely regarded as the most dangerous and foul street in the metropolis. It was lined with notorious lodging houses where third and fourth Jack the Ripper victims, Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes, stayed before their deaths.

Redevelopment: The original slums and subsequent Rothschild Buildings were eventually demolished. The modern estate was officially opened by the Prince of Wales in 1984. The only remnant of the 19th-century architecture is the historic Rothschild Buildings archway, located near the games area off Lolesworth Close. 

Petticoat Lane

Spanning Middlesex Street, Wentworth Street, and all of the lanes in between, Petticoat Lane traces its history all the way back to the 1650s – one of London’s true historic gems. Today, with its backdrop of skyscrapers, the mix of independent shops, restaurants, market stalls, residents, and students make it much more than any market; it’s a unique pocket of London culture.

St Ethelburga’s Church

One of the few surviving medieval City churches in London, the foundation date of the church is unknown, but it was first recorded in 1250 as the church of St Adelburga the Virgin.

The church was rebuilt around 1411 and some of this material remains, notably in the south arcade.

The church was severely damaged by an IRA bomb in 1993. Following rebuilding and restoration it re-opened as a Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.

Directions

Stratford Station to the Signorelli Café

Leave Stratford tube Station ticket hall at street level at the Westfield exit. Ignore the entrance to Westfield and head for the lifts, stairs or elevators to ascend to the first floor. (Note there are fingerposts labelled “Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park” to assist). Again ignore the entrance to Westfield, but instead head down the covered avenue between Marks & Spencers and Westfield (The Street). In 150 metres, bear left into Chestnut Plaza and in a further 100 metres, leave the shopping centre to cross Westfield Avenue on the pedestrian crossing continuing in the same direction the Signorelli Café is immediately after the FIGO Italian restaurant on your right.

The Signorelli Café to and through the Wetlands

Leave the Café and continue in the same direction to pass the UAL/V&A/Sadler’s Wells buildings on your right and then the London Aquatics Centre on the left then crossing the Waterworks River on a bridge. A few metres beyond the bridge, turn left and head down a tree lined avenue Tessa Jowell Boulevard with globe overhead lighting. In about 180 metres turn left following the steps down to the Waterworks river to turn left here on the path alongside the river. In 400 metres just before the path turns to the left to go under a bridge, turn very sharp left by a willow tree to head up the path to the higher level. In 80 metres where this sloping path meets a major flat path, turn very sharp right and in 150 metres  cross a small waterway to enter a light tarmaced area with grassed “islands”. Continue in the same direction towards a fence and bear right. Follow a line of pink flags on poles to your left and in 300 metres cross Waterden Road at a pedestrian crossing and continue in the same direction down Middlesex way. In 150 metres turn right onto Eastcross Bridge to cross the River Lea and in 350 turn right to descend the steps into the Park’s wetland walk area. Basically this area can be best viewed by completing two loops and returning to the same steps to leave the area. At the time of writing swans had built a nest on an island in the larger pond and a heron was spotted motionless at one of the sluice gates. Lots of other wild fowl and fauna too.

Leave the wetlands by the same steps as you entered and turn left to retrace your steps across Eastcross bridge.

Olympic Park to Victoria Park

In 300 metres leave the park and turn left to immediately cross Waterden Road on a pedestrian crossing. Continue in the same direction into Copper Street. In 150 metres keep to the left to cross a foot bridge over the River Lea. Descend the steps at the end of the bridge and continue in the same direction along Wallis Road. At a road junction 150 metres ahead turn left and continue under the overground railway bridge. Here the road forks and you should take the right hand fork. You may wish to cast an eye down the left hand fork, where the Load Napier pub is enjoying a renaissance after being closed for many a year. It sports some interesting graffiti.

Continuing on the right hand fork (still Wallis Road) for 150 metres, cross Chapman Road at a junction and head for the footbridge ahead. Cross the footbridge and continue up the cul-de-sac to cross Cadogan Terrace and enter Victoria Park. 

Continue up the path and cross the park’s main peripheral road onto a path lined by some new trees on the right. In 300 metres the path meets a small road, cross over this road  and take the right-hand path. In 60 metres where another path crosses, turn right to approach the model boating lake. Continue alongside the lake passing the clubhouse on the right and then immediately turn right. In 15 metres where five paths converge, take the second path to the left to enter Victoria Park Orchard and in 100 metres the Old English Garden. Continue until you reach the Park’s Central Drive.  Turn left here and in 80 metres turn right onto an asphalt path (initially dirt) which runs alongside the East Lake. In 250 metres, the path forks. Take the right hand fork and in 30 metres merge with another path with a gray cabinet and the lake to your left. In a few metres turn right on a path that will take you to the Burdett-Coutts Memorial Drinking Fountain. Leave the paved  fountain area turning right to take you to the park’s peripheral road in 100 metres. Turn left here and continue to the imposing East Royal Gate.  Exit here and cross Grove Road to enter the West Park and in 60 metres bear left following the park road to the Pavilion Cafe with the Crown Gate on your left. Swing right here and (a suggestion) walk along the edge of the boating lake. After 400 metres pass through a gate.  If you are walking on a Saturday or Sunday there will be a food market on the road to your right (with many eateries). To continue, turn left and exit the park through the Bonner Gate.  

Victoria Park to Bethnal Green 

Cross Sewardstone Road and maintain your direction to proceed down the tree lined Approach Road. cross a roundabout and shortly further on The Approach Tavern may be found on your right. In a further 125 metres at a road junction bear right to join Old Ford Road. In just over 200 metres. at a major junction turn left.  In a few metres you will find the Young V&A (formally the Museum of Childhood) on your left, Continue for a further 125 metres where you will find the entrance to Bethnal Green tube station (the walks drop out point) . The Solo Kitchen and Bar can be found adjacent to this entrance 

Bethnal Green to Brick Lane

In a further few metres at a road junction, turn right to cross Cambridge Heath Road and then left to cross Bethnal Green Road. Immediately after crossing, turn right to pass under a railway bridge.Continue for just over 200 metres to turn left into Seabright Street, a Vape shop on the corner. As the road turns right, continue ahead to enter Weavers Fields on a path. Follow the path as it weaves (no pun intended) towards a circular seating area with a sculpture Weaving Identities by Peter Dunn.  Take the second exit on your right and ignore the first branch off to take the second branch passing a playground to your left. Exit Weavers Fields into Kelsey Street continuing in the same direction to turn right into Chester Street in 100 metres. In a further 50 metres turn left into Menotti Street. Dog leg slightly to the right and pass under a railway bridge into Hemming Street and in a further 200 metres at a T junction turn right into Selby Street. In 60 metres turn left into Vallance Road with a Rinkoffs Bakery branch on the corner.  In 60 metres turn right into Buxton Street continuing for 250 metres to turn left into Deal Street with the entrance to Spittlefields City farm on your right hand side.  Continue for 100 metres to turn right into Woodseer Street (The Gentle Author lives nearby). In a further 80 metres turn left into Daplyn Street and in 50 metres turn right into Hanbury Street then shortly left into Spelman Street. After a few metres Princelet Street is to your right. Turn into this street and continue for 160 metres to a road junction with Brick Lane with Shah’s Halal Food on the right hand corner.  

Continue across the road junction to find 19 Princelet Street on your right. This building was built in 1719 and so is more than 300 years old.  To put that in context it was built just over 50 years after the Great Fire of London.  Continue along Princelet Street to a road junction and turn left into Wilkes Street. At the next road junction turn left again into Fournier Street to return to Brick Lane with the RajMahal Sweet shop on your right. Turn right here and, in 200 metres just before a medical centre on the right, turn right onto a path which leads to Thrawl Street. 

Brick Lane to Aldgate

After 40 metres, cross Thrawl Street continuing the same direction by veering slightly left onto a paved walkway. In 40 metres turn left onto Flower and Dean Walk and shortly pass under a brickwork arch to turn left into Wentworth Street.  In 100 metres at the junction with Commercial Street, continue across this junction using the pedestrian crossing to your left. 

The next section of Wentworth Street is part of the Petticoat Lane Market * and there will be stalls if you walk on an open day. In 120 metres turn left into Goulston Street. In 175 metres just after the Travel Lodge on the right hand side, turn right into a pedestrian thoroughfare. In 30 metres you’ll arrive at a paved area with a water refill tap, some seats and the Aldgate Cone. 

* If you do not wish to walk through the market, turn right as you leave the pedestrian crossing and in 180 metres at a major junction with Whitechapel High Street, turn right and in 200 metres, follow the pavement to the right. Finally, in a further 60 metres you will reach the paved area described above.

Continue on along the pavement alongside St. Botolph Street and in 80 metres cross this street on a pedestrian crossing to enter Blue Boar Alley. At the end of the Alley turn right to pass Aldgate Tube Station Entrance and St. Botolph Without Aldgate Church. Slightly further on is the walk's only kissing gate (Part of Sculpture in the City Art, sadly the snails have gone). 

Aldgate to the City of London

In a further 40 metres at a pedestrian crossing, ignore the crossing and turn right onto a pavement just after a cycleway. In 70 metres where this pavement reaches a road (Dukes Place) Turn left into St. James’s Passage continuing to Mitre Street. Turn right here and continue down Mitre Street to a T junction. Turn left here and then immediately right to enter Burry Street. Here there is a spectacular view of the Gherkin towering above the nearby buildings. Continue down Bury Street and just after the street turns right  enter a paved area through stainless steel bollards to your left. Continue along this paved area being sure to keep the Gherkin on your right . Exit the paved area through further stainless steel bollards. Here you will see the entrance to an underground car park ahead. Continue on the adjacent paved area to the right of this entrance passing St Helen’s Church Bishopsgate.  Bear right passing between some black bollards (with red rings and white tops)  and continue along the paved Great St. Helen’s. You’ll shortly pass under the colourful canopies of 22 Bishopsgate to reach BIshopgate. Turn right here and in 160 metres cross Wormwood Street and then Bishopsgate on pedestrian crossings to Boots Opticians.  Turn right to continue in your previous direction shortly reaching the entrance to the garden area of St Botolph without Bishopsgate Church (which you will find to your left)..  Enter the gardens on a wide paved area with the Church on your right passing the Ai Weiwei sculpture on the lawn (another sculpture in the city exhibit). After 60 metres follow the pavement round to the right  and the left to exit into Old Broad Street.  Turn right and in 50 metres you will find an entrance to Liverpool Street Underground Station (Including the Elizabeth Line). In a further 30 metres and slightly to your right the main entrance to all Liverpool Street railways awaits as you pass the Children of the Kindertransport Sculpture.

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