Best free things to do in Stratford London

Nothing beats some fresh air, and there’s an abundance of it in Stratford, London. The nearby Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park boasts over 550 acres of parkland and waterways, so there are endless places to walk and explore for free. To discover more of what the Olympic Park has to offer, check out our guide here.

The Here East campus holds regular events encouraging innovators, visionaries and disruptors to have a space to grow their ideas.

There’s a growing list of well-known organisations who now call Here East home, including BT Sport, Staffordshire University London and UCL.

Here East also hold regular events that are open to the public, including yoga, mindfulness, content creation workshops and university open days. Some are paid for, others are free, so take a look at the upcoming events and see what’s on.

Each week, the streets around Stratford are transformed into bustling street markets, busy with street vendors, food stalls and fresh produce.

There are four main local markets nearby, each offering something a little different. Columbia Road Market is open every Sunday and is famous for its abundance of fresh flowers, independent stores and vintage shops lining the streets too – it’s the perfect post-brunch activity!

New Spitalfields Market is known as the number one wholesale market in the UK – you’ll find a huge selection of fruit and vegetables from around the world here. Queen’s Market also specialises in fresh fruit and vegetables, but with a focus on African, African-Caribbean and Asian produce too. Head here to discover foods you’ve never seen, buy herbs and spices for your own cooking and browse the 140 stalls and shops that are open here.

Roman Road Market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and is known for its bargain fashion prices. Every week throughout the summer they hold Super Saturday to showcase the best crafts, home accessories, antiques and food alongside live entertainment. They also hold a Farmers Market on the first Saturday of every month.

Even if you’re on a budget you’ll find a bargain at any of these markets, or simply stroll down the streets and enjoy what’s on offer without spending a penny.

The Aquatics Centre and Copper Box Arena are both great venues to experience the thrill of the Olympic Games from an athlete’s point of view.

If you’d rather try before you buy, why not claim your free day pass for access? You can explore the facilities, see what’s on offer and try them out for yourself before you commit to a regular membership.
Find out more about the free passes here.