Parks in Stratford
Whether you’re working in East London or living here, you’re lucky enough to benefit from the best of both worlds – a lively district with shops, cafés and restaurants in abundance, nicely balanced with green spaces and outdoor activities for the whole family. Here’s our list of the best parks in Stratford for you to visit if you’re looking to spend more time outdoors.
Located right on the doorstep of IQL, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was built for the 2012 Olympic Games and has been developing ever since. The most recent addition to the park is the Blossom Garden, a quiet and beautiful garden designed for reflection with 33 trees inside to encourage wildlife to the area and improve the local biodiversity.
The park also has lots to keep the kids entertained, from the Tumbling Bay playground to the Waterworks Fountains.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is surrounded by 28 artworks inspired by the history of the area and symbolising the park as a place that welcomes people of all identities. The artworks vary from big and beautiful to smaller and hidden, so why not visit and see if you can spot them all?
From tennis courts for the sports fanatics to a playpark for the children, Stratford Park has something for everyone. The ornamental fountain is surrounded by benches to sit and take in the view, while the Sensory Garden offers a quiet and engaging space for anyone who needs it.
In the colder weather, why not check out the nearby Sawmill Café and grab a tea or coffee to keep you warm while you wander? Found just 19 minutes’ walk from IQL, this is definitely one of the best parks in Stratford to visit.
The beautiful and historic Victoria Park is found just outside Stratford, but it is well worth the trip. The park is one of London’s most visited green spaces for a reason, featuring incredible sculptures created for the 2012 Olympic Games, and beautiful walks around the ponds and lakes. If you’re looking for something a bit more active to take part in, the park offers a 400m running track, a skatepark, tennis courts, and football and cricket pitches to play on.
Victoria Park is also host to the Victoria Park market, every Sunday 10am-4pm. Head down for some seasonal fruit and veg, street food, and even some doggy treats for your four-legged walking partner. Read our blog to find out more about things to do at Victoria Park.
If you’re willing to venture a little further out of Stratford, you’ll find the exciting West Ham Park. The largest park in Newham, this park has space for tennis, cricket or football along with outdoor gym equipment. For the nature lovers among us, West Ham Park features a Wildlife Garden designed to provide habitats for birds, hedgehogs, and many more animals.
Alongside these sports areas and a children’s playpark, the park features a 7-acre Ornamental Garden, which includes a walking trail through Dr John Fothergill’s rock garden. For nature enthusiasts, why not follow the West Ham Park Tree Trail? This is a walking route where you can identify 25 different species of tree found in the park. They even have a handy guide to the route and the trees.
There’s lots to do in the beautiful parks in Stratford and the surrounding areas, from scenic walking routes to birdwatching. And, if you need ideas to keep the little ones entertained all day, take a look at our list of things to do for kids in Stratford!