The Galvanisers Union

8‑minute walk

A classic East End pub with personality. The Galvanisers Union sits on Devas Street, a short walk from Bromley‑by‑Bow station, and it feels like a true local. Inside you get mismatched vintage tables and benches, warm lighting and a relaxed crowd. On the bar there is usually a rotating choice of cask and keg beers, including the Antic group’s own Volden Session Ale at a fair price. The gin list is long if you prefer a G&T. Food is hearty and good value: burgers, wings and plant‑based options during the week, with a proper roast on Sundays. There is a popular quiz night during the week and the pub is dog friendly, so you will often see a few wagging tails under the tables. It is a handy spot for a casual pint after work or a laid‑back weekend meet‑up. Check the opening hours on the website before you set out, as hours can vary by day.

Website: galvanisersunion.com

The Print House (Jim & Tonic East)

12‑minute walk

Set along the River Lea at Sugar House Island, The Print House is now run by Jim & Tonic East and brings together a bright, modern bar with an easy menu and a big waterside terrace. If you are into cocktails, start with one of the house gin or rum serves made with spirits distilled by Jim & Tonic. Lager and pale ale fans will also be fine, since there are guest taps and cans in the fridges. The kitchen keeps things simple and crowd‑pleasing: pizzas, burgers, salads and small plates. On match or show days the place can buzz, since the ABBA Arena is a few minutes away, so it is handy for a pre‑ or post‑show drink. Inside there is lots of room for groups. Outside by the water is ideal on a sunny afternoon. Service is friendly and the team runs regular mid‑week offers, so it is worth checking what is on before you go.

Website: jimandtoniceast.com/theprinthouse

Roman Road Shopping

9‑minute ride

Roman Road is the place to hunt for independent shops and a slice of old East End life. Along the road you will find fashion, vintage, homewares, haberdashery, hardware, bakeries and cafés. The star is the street market that runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from late morning into the afternoon, and on Saturdays from morning through to later in the day. Stalls sell clothing basics, seasonal fruit and veg, flowers, fabric, cosmetics, bags and plenty more. Prices are competitive and stallholders are happy to chat. Plan time for coffee and something sweet in one of the local cafés, or grab lunch from street food traders near the market stretch. It is easy to reach from Bromley‑by‑Bow by bike or bus, and you can tie it in with a walk to nearby Victoria Park if you want a greener finish to your outing.

Website: towerhamletsslice.co.uk/market

Westfield Stratford City

9‑minute cycle

If you want everything under one roof, Westfield Stratford City delivers. You can spend hours browsing high street brands and sports stores, or head straight to the anchor department stores for a bigger selection. There are coffee spots on every level and a long list of restaurants for lunch or dinner, from quick noodles to sit‑down grills. For a break from shopping, book a film at the Vue cinema, take a lane at All Star Lanes bowling, or drop by Aspers for the late‑night scene. Families will find changing areas, play spots and pushchair friendly lifts. The centre runs frequent seasonal events and pop‑ups, so there is usually something extra going on. If you would rather take it at a slower pace, pop outside to the Olympic Park for a short walk, then return for a bite before heading home.

Website: www.westfield.com/en-united-kingdom/stratfordcity
Bowling: allstarlanes.co.uk/locations/stratford

Nunnery Gallery & Café

11‑minute walk

This small, friendly gallery is a lovely place for an unhurried hour. Housed in a former convent on Bow Road, the Nunnery Gallery shows changing exhibitions from artists with local and wider links. The programme ranges from painting to film and installation, and entry is usually free. Next door, the Nunnery Café serves good coffee, tea, cakes and light lunches such as toasties and soups. The café doubles as a community hub, with prints, ceramics and cards by Bow Arts artists for sale. On the first Thursday of the month the café often opens later with wine, beer and occasional live music, tying in with East London’s First Thursdays gallery evenings. It is easy to combine a gallery visit with a walk to Three Mills, or a quick hop to Roman Road. Check the website for current exhibitions and café hours.

Gallery: https://bowarts.org/nunnery-gallery/
Café: bowarts.org/the-nunnery-cafe

The House Mill, Three Mills

4‑minute walk

Three Mills Island is full of character, and The House Mill is the highlight. This Grade I listed tidal mill dates from the 18th century and is one of the largest of its kind still standing. On most Sundays the charity that runs the mill offers guided tours. The guides are knowledgeable and will take you through the mill’s story, from flour and distilling to later uses. The building itself is fascinating to explore. Tours last about an hour and often include a hot drink in the ticket price, served in the cosy Millers House Café next door. The café is run by volunteers and opens when tours are running, so always check dates and times on the official site. After your visit, stroll around Three Mills Green or follow the path along the Lea for a quiet loop by the water.

Website: housemill.org.uk

London Aquatics Centre

9‑minute cycle

If you want a serious swim or a family splash, the London Aquatics Centre is a great pick. The main competition pool and the training pool are both 50 metres, with lane sessions throughout the day. There are public classes and lessons for all ages, from baby and toddler through to adult improvers. The venue has a gym and group exercise studio, so you can combine a swim with a workout if that suits you better. The roof by Zaha Hadid is striking in person and the building has large windows, so the space feels bright. The centre is popular at weekends and after school times, so booking a lane or session is a good idea. If you are bringing children, look out for special fun sessions during school holidays, including inflatables. There is a café on site for post‑swim snacks and coffee.

Website: londonaquaticscentre.org

The Line public art trail

Short cycle

The Line is a free outdoor art trail that runs along waterways and paths between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2. It works well as a half‑day walk or a ride, and you can do it in sections. Sculptures and installations appear at intervals near the river, at Three Mills, around Cody Dock and on the Royal Docks and Greenwich Peninsula. New works join from time to time, and some pieces are on long‑term loan, so the trail changes. You can start near the London Stadium and head south, or pick it up at Three Mills and continue to the docks. The official website has a clear map and a mobile guide. Combine the trail with coffee stops at Sugar House Island, Cody Dock or the Royal Docks for a relaxed day out.

Website: the-line.org

Cody Dock

25‑minute walk

Cody Dock is a good example of what local volunteers and a clear plan can achieve. Once a neglected industrial dock on the tidal Lea, it now welcomes visitors during the day for riverside walks, a community café, small exhibitions and events. The rolling bridge at the dock mouth is worth a look, and there are gardens, studios and moorings around the site. The team runs regular nature walks, foraging sessions and volunteer days, which is a nice way to learn about the river’s plants and wildlife. Cody Dock also links back to The Line trail and sits on popular walking and cycling routes along the river, so it is easy to fold into a longer loop. Check the website for what is on when you plan to visit, since activities change with the seasons.

Website: codydock.org.uk

Victoria Park

15‑minute cycle

Victoria Park, often called Vicky Park, is one of London’s best loved green spaces. You get two large sections divided by Grove Road, with lakes, a Chinese‑style pagoda, fountains and tree‑lined paths. It is great for a run, a long walk or a family picnic. There are tennis courts, bowls, football pitches and a skate area. Children have two main playgrounds to choose from. On weekends the path between Gore Gate and Bonner Gate hosts a lively food market, with street food on Saturdays and produce on Sundays. The Pavilion Café by the lake is a popular stop for coffee, pastries and brunch dishes. The park opens at 7am and closes at dusk all year. If you are coming from Bromley‑by‑Bow, you can follow the Hertford Union Canal towpath to the western side of the park, which keeps you off busy roads.

Website: towerhamlets.gov.uk/…/victoria_park.aspx

Barge East, Hackney Wick

12‑minute cycle

Barge East is a restored Dutch barge moored on the River Lee at Hackney Wick, and it makes a memorable place to eat. The restaurant on the boat serves seasonal British dishes with produce from its own riverside garden and trusted suppliers. There are vegetarian and vegan choices alongside fish and meat, and the team runs a popular Sunday lunch. If you prefer something more casual, the Barge East Gardens next to the boat pour pints and cocktails and serve street food, which is ideal on warm days. Book the boat for dinner if you want the full experience with canal views from the deck or the cosy lower deck. It is easy to pair Barge East with a walk around Hackney Wick’s street art or a canal stroll to the Olympic Park.

Website: bargeeast.com

Hackney Wick breweries

12‑minute cycle

Two easy choices for a relaxed evening by the water. Crate Brewery sits right on the canal at Queen’s Yard and is known for its stone‑baked pizzas and a lineup of its own beers. Grab a table outside if you can, since the terrace has one of the best views in the area. Inside is a simple, industrial space with long tables that suit groups. Howling Hops Tank Bar is a few steps away. Here the beer is poured fresh from ten large tanks behind the bar. The big hall feels like a continental beer hall, with long wooden tables and a friendly, mixed crowd. There is a rotating kitchen offering burgers, tacos and snacks that work well with a pint. On sunny weekends both places get busy, so arrive early or be ready to wait for a table.

Crate: cratebrewery.com/pages/visit-hackney-wick
Howling Hops: howlinghops.co.uk

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Short DLR and walk

If you want a quieter green space, head to Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. This is a former Victorian cemetery that has grown into a peaceful woodland and local nature reserve. Paths wind past old headstones, meadows and stands of mature trees. It is good for bird spotting, seasonal flowers and a bit of calm. The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park run guided walks, history talks and volunteer days, which is a nice way to learn the stories of the place and help look after it. The site is open to the public all day, every day, and it is only a short walk from Bow Road or Bow Church stations. Wear sturdy shoes if it has rained, since some smaller paths can be muddy, and bring a thermos or pick up a coffee nearby, as there is no café inside the park.

Friends group: https://fothcp.org/

Lee Valley VeloPark

15‑minute cycle

Cycling fans are well looked after at Lee Valley VeloPark on the Olympic Park. You can book a taster session on the indoor velodrome track to try the steep banking on a fixed‑gear bike under the supervision of coaches. If you prefer to be outdoors, the one‑mile floodlit road circuit is perfect for fitness sessions or casual laps, while the BMX track provides a shot of adrenaline with its berms and jumps. There are also mountain bike trails graded for different abilities. The centre runs lessons for children and adults, and it is easy to hire equipment if you do not own a suitable bike or helmet. If someone in your group is not riding, the café and viewing areas make it easy to watch. Booking is recommended for track and BMX sessions, as places fill fast at weekends.

Venue page: queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/…/lee-valley-velopark

ArcelorMittal Orbit & The Slide

12‑minute cycle

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is the red looping sculpture you can see from across the Park. Take the lift to the viewing platforms for wide city views and a closer look at the stadiums and waterways below. If you like a bit of thrill with your sightseeing, book a ride on The Slide that wraps around the structure. The tunnel slide runs for 178 metres with a series of curves all the way down. There are height, age and weight rules, so read the booking page before you buy. On non‑slide visits you can still walk down the spiral staircase past sound installations, which adds something different to the trip back to ground level. The café by the entrance is a handy station while you wait for your timeslot or to regroup after your ride.

Visit: https://arcelormittalorbit.com/

ABBA Arena – ABBA Voyage

20‑minute walk or one stop on the DLR

If you have friends or family visiting, ABBA Voyage is a stand‑out night out close by. The purpose‑built ABBA Arena sits near Pudding Mill Lane DLR. Inside, you can choose the dance floor in front of the stage or seats around the bowl. The show uses motion‑capture avatars of the band with a full live band on stage, big screens and concert lighting. It feels like a proper gig from start to finish. The bar service is swift, yet it is still worth arriving early to settle in and grab a drink. When the show finishes, you can walk to Sugar House Island for a quiet drink by the river, or head into Stratford for late‑night food. Always check travel updates for the DLR after evening shows.

Plan your visit: abbavoyage.com/plan-your-visit

Limehouse Cut towpath

30‑ to 40‑minute walk end to end

The Limehouse Cut is London’s oldest canal and gives you a straight, traffic‑free link between Bow and Limehouse Basin. It works well for a gentle run, a short ride or a long walk into Docklands. Start near Bow Locks where the Lea Navigation meets the Cut, then follow the towpath south‑west as the canal passes under bridges and beside former industrial sites. Look out for coots, cormorants and swans on the water. The route is mostly flat and easy to follow. At the Limehouse end you can loop around the marina and pick up the Thames Path if you want to carry on to Canary Wharf or Wapping. At busy times, keep left and listen for bike bells on narrow stretches. A reusable bottle is useful, since there are water refill points in the Basin and around the docks.

Route info: canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers/limehouse-cut

Final Thoughts

That’s plenty to get you started, whether you’re after a relaxed pint by the water, a market browse, or a swim in an Olympic pool. Check the links before you go, especially for tours, classes and late openings, and consider quieter off‑peak slots if you want room to roam. If you’re weighing up a move, you can learn more about homes at The Waterside and see how close all of this is on foot or by bike.