Famed for internet hosting the London 2012 Olympics and the continual regeneration that has occurred within the space for the reason that video games make Stratford a really well-connected and thrilling place to go to. I just lately spent a weekend right here with my children to completely soak in all that this East London vacation spot has to supply and I can’t sing its reward sufficient.
I’ve all the time been one to remain in central London when visiting the caption, particularly with my children as comfort is vital however Stratford positively received me over, not solely is it very fast and simple ( you will get to central London in underneath 10mins) to succeed in however it additionally gives extra space to calm down and discover after a busy day within the metropolis whereas being spoilt for alternative with regards to actions, sights and locations to eat.
I’ve put collectively a listing of issues we personally tried and would suggest in addition to further issues you are able to do in Stratford together with your children
Issues to do (our private suggestions)
1. Lee Valley Velodrome Mountain Biking
Who knew you could possibly go mountain biking in London? Nicely, you may on the Lee Valley Velodrome with trails appropriate for all ages and talents, together with full novices and so they have all of the tools you want with household rides £22 for 2 adults and two kids (with out rent). Each of my children and I had a fully blast exploring all the paths and is one thing we hope to do once more on any future visits to the world. Lee Valley Velodrome additionally gives monitor driving and BMX and is ideal for these on the lookout for a enjoyable adrenaline-packed exercise.
2. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
You wish to put a couple of hours apart to discover that park, particularly with children who will love the spectacular Tumbling Bay Playground, which options treehouses, sand pits, slides and wobbly bridges, amongst different issues and is the proper area to run off some vitality. It is not the one playground within the park, additionally, you will discover some on the pleasure gardens, and the water fountains simply outdoors the stadium are certain to be a success.
The park itself is a beautiful place to have a wander with quite a lot of totally different backyard areas, meadows, wetlands and formal gardens. You also needs to make certain to go to the Olympic Rings. The park is free to get pleasure from and was an actual spotlight of our keep.
3. Gravity Max Westfield Stratford
Children will completely love this City theme park with three flooring and 67,000 sq. toes of leisure, housing an array of actions you might be assured to have enjoyable right here. Whereas we’re very a lot an out of doors nature-loving household and never essentially the most tech-savvy, we had a blast right here and there’s something for all ages. Our favorite actions have been the Hyperfloor which is far more bodily than we anticipated and we laughed quite a bit whereas working and leaping throughout the ground. The boys actually loved the Hologate VR immersive expertise and collectively, we took on the Road mini golf. In addition they have indoor e-carts, tower tag, karaoke and immersive gamebox to call a couple of.
Extra exercise concepts
1. London Aquatics Centre – in the event you fancy a dip within the Olympic pool, they do have loads of public swimming classes weekly.
2. ArcelorMittal Orbit – it was closed after we visited in any other case we’d have tried it, however it reopened on the 14th Feb 2025 underneath Zip World administration, and this 178m slide is assured to be lots of high-adrenaline enjoyable.
3. Get a dose of tradition and creativity with theatre efficiency at both The Yard Theatre or Theatre Royal Stratford East. Each theatres placed on exhibits all year long and each host an array of grownup and households pleasant performances.
4. Bask in some retail remedy at Westfield Stratford City Procuring Centre, one of many largest city procuring centres within the UK that homes a whole bunch of outlets and foodie spots.
5. Get on the water – within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, you too can rent Kayaks or SUPs or a Swan Pedalo and get on the water, once more this was one thing we had deliberate to do however sadly attributable to unhealthy climate we could not rent a Pedalo – however yet another factor to do subsequent time we go to.
Additional Afield
On account of its location could be very east to nip from Stratford to different components of London, particularly Canary Wharf and Greenwich – you may journey to each areas on the fashionable DLR (which my children liked). We additionally caught the overground to Camden from right here and it goes with out saying that central London is only a fast hop on the underground, you may be un zone one in lower than quarter-hour.
The place to Eat
Riverside East is a classy however nonetheless family-friendly eatery and bar, which is each the proper place for a brunch but in addition comes alive within the night. We loved some scrumptious pizza and burgers right here, and so they have a wide range of craft beers and freshly baked pastries.
A part of the Startford Hyatt Resort, this can be a excellent spot to get pleasure from scrumptious meals away from the hustle and bustle. There may be additionally a implausible roof terrace, which I like to recommend in the course of the hotter months.
3. Love Churros
One among my children’ favorite road meals stands outdoors of Westfield was the Love Churros, which makes contemporary to order Churros and they’re the proper pick-me-up deal with.
4. Pan-n-Ice
In the event you like ice cream however wish to take pleasure in a novel expertise, then Pan-n-Ice is price a go to only for the theatrics of all of it. You could find it contained in the Westfield Procuring Centre.
The place to remain
My private advice could be the Hyatt Regency London Stratford, which is the place we stayed for two nights and it was the proper family-friendly base and had every part we wanted. They provide household rooms and interconnecting rooms, the breakfast is implausible and the employees and pleasant and welcoming to households.
There may be additionally loads of different resorts within the space, corresponding to Premier Inn, Moxy London and Vacation Inn to call a couple of.
