East London is packed with things to explore, from well-known favourites like Columbia Road Flower Market and Brick Lane to local street food spots across Tower Hamlets. Whether you’re browsing indie boutiques in Shoreditch, Hackney or Dalston, or heading to Whitechapel for a slice of East London culture, there’s always something going on.
This guide covers lesser-known things to do in East London so you can experience the neighbourhood more like a local. From wild green spaces and hidden tropical gardens to laid-back waterside pubs, Aberfeldy Village is just a stone’s throw away from some of East London’s most unexpected corners.
1. Bow Creek Ecology Park & East India Dock Basin
Set on the curve of the River Lea at the Leamouth Peninsula, the award-winning Bow Creek Ecology Park is a 15 minutes’ walk away from Aberfeldy Village. As one of the best parks in East London, it offers a calm escape from the city, with wetlands, reedbeds and relaxed walking routes to explore. It’s a great spot to enjoy nature throughout the year, whether you’re visiting on a sunny afternoon or just looking for somewhere peaceful to unwind.
Wildlife is a big part of what makes this area special. In the colder months, large numbers of teal gather at East India Dock Basin, while during summer you’ll see dragonflies skimming across the water and hear Cetti’s warblers calling from the reeds. Entry is free, and the park is open daily – just check online for the latest visitor information before heading over.
Across the river from The O2, a former dock has been turned into a quiet nature reserve with views over the Thames. It’s now one of East London’s standout locations for birdwatching and a protected space for local wildlife.
For something more active, East London has plenty of green spaces and waterside routes for cycling, running or walking. From Aberfeldy Village, you can follow a route through East India Dock Basin, Bow Creek and Three Mills before joining the wider Lee Valley path, a 26-mile stretch that runs through London and out towards Essex and Hertfordshire. With benches dotted along the way, it is easy to pause for a break, take in the surroundings or stop for a picnic.
2. Trinity Buoy Wharf
The wharf is home to London’s only lighthouse, built in 1864. Once used for testing lighthouse technology, it has since been transformed into a vibrant arts and cultural hub, offering striking waterfront views across the River Thames. It is also home to Longplayer, a unique 1,000-year-long musical composition designed to play continuously without ever repeating.
Fun fact: Trinity Buoy Wharf has become a popular filming location over the years. Notable productions include The World Is Not Enough, Rogue Agent, Geek Girl, and the BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee.
To reach Trinity Buoy Wharf, you can either take a 20-minute walk south towards the River Thames via Orchard Place or hop on a bus for one stop from Leamouth Road to Orchard Place. From there, it’s around a 10–15-minute walk to the wharf.
3. Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Just two stops away from Aberfeldy Village on the DLR, Crossrail Place Roof Garden offers a unique indoor green space in the heart of Canary Wharf. Set beneath a striking lattice roof, this expansive botanical garden is one of the nicest places to visit in East London, offering a peaceful escape from the surrounding city.
The garden is thoughtfully designed around the Prime Meridian, with planting split between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. As you explore, you’ll move between contrasting landscapes – from Asian bamboos and shrubs to ferns and planting inspired by the Americas.
Open daily and free to visit, it’s an easy spot to drop into, whether you’re looking for a quiet walk, a place to unwind, or something a little different to do nearby. At its centre, an intimate amphitheatre hosts a regular programme of free performances, from live music and theatre to dance.
4. Aberfeldy Street
Just a five-minute walk from Aberfeldy Village, Aberfeldy Street is one of the best places to visit in East London if you want to get a feel for Poplar’s neighbourhood. Lined with independent cafés, food spots, creative workspaces and flower shops, it is a simple place to stroll or grab a coffee.
The street has also become known for its bold public art. Its colourful shopfronts are inspired by the Bangladeshi kantha tradition, with murals and artwork spanning 26 buildings and using more than 200 paint colours. The designs also pay homage to Poplar’s history of garment manufacture.
Aberfeldy Street is also part of the wider regeneration of Aberfeldy Village, where art and local creativity are helping shape the area’s identity and making it one of the best emerging areas to explore in East London. In April 2023, Poplar Works artist Ellen Rock spoke to ITV News about the free art trail created through Aberfeldy Creates with Poplar HARCA. Watch the video below.
5. Canary Wharf
If you are exploring nice areas in East London for an evening out, Canary Wharf is one of the easiest nearby places to go for food, drinks and events. Its waterside restaurants, bars and after-work spots give you plenty of choice without needing to head into central London, while the cinemas, pop-ups, live performances and public art installations make it more than just a place for offices.
Canary Wharf is also one of the best-connected areas near Poplar. With the Jubilee line, Elizabeth line and DLR all close by, you can continue into central London, travel towards Heathrow or get back to Aberfeldy Village with minimal fuss. From Aberfeldy Village, it is around 12 minutes by bus or just three stops on the DLR.
East End vs East London: Where Does East London Start?
If you’ve ever wondered what’s considered East London and where it begins, it officially starts just to the east of the City of London, symbolically at Aldgate Pump, a short walk from Liverpool Street. From there, it stretches north of the River Thames across boroughs including Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest and Barking & Dagenham.
Within this sits the historic East End, often seen as the cultural heart of East London. This is the older inner area, covering places like Whitechapel, Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Bow, where Cockney roots, docklands heritage and generations of migration have shaped its identity. As you move further out, East London becomes more residential, extending into areas such as Stratford, Walthamstow and Ilford, where green space and city living come together with quick access to central London.
Curious about Poplar’s history or the neighbourhood around Aberfeldy Village? Follow our news and join our regular events throughout the year to discover more about the area, its stories and the local community.
