About Stratford and East Bank
Located along the river Lea's canals and just a short Tube ride from central London, Stratford is a fantastic place to visit and a great spot to host an event.
Often overshadowed by some of London’s more famous neighbourhoods, Stratford has rightfully gained recognition as a must-see destination. With its lively atmosphere, up-and-coming East Bank, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Westfield shopping centre and London Stadium, you can expect a mix of impressive spaces and fun activities.
The Westfield shopping centre is the perfect place for some retail therapy. With plenty of space to stroll around, you can enjoy shopping at a wide range of food outlets and stores, featuring everything from stylish clothing to the latest gadgets.
Stratford is home to some of the best parks in the country, including the Hackney Marshes. Recognised for their natural conservation efforts, the marshes are great for watching animals and birds. If you need a break from city life, this is the perfect spot to relax. One of the most enjoyable things to do on a beautiful day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is to ride a swan-shaped pedal boat on the river Lea. Once you're ready, you can spend an hour or two discovering the park from a unique perspective on the water.
Since it hosted the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Stratford has undergone significant improvements, continually adding new entertainment and experiences. However, its roots go back much further, combining its history with a modern vibe.
East Bank, Stratford’s new waterfront, is home to several notable institutions, including BBC Music Studios, the London College of Fashion and Sadler’s Wells East.
Public transport makes it easily accessible. There are numerous bus, Tube and train connections, including the 24-hour Night Tube on the Central and Jubilee lines. From Stratford International, it's a seven-minute journey to St Pancras International.
Originally built for the 2012 Olympics, London Stadium hosts major sports, music events, and offers private hire for conferences and more.
This iconic venue from the 2012 Olympics offers swimming facilities and is available for private events and hire.
Here East offers event spaces including The Yard and The Undercroft, located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
A 560-acre park with sports facilities, waterways and gardens, built for the 2012 Olympics and open to the public.
The UK’s tallest sculpture, featuring the world’s longest tunnel slide and a 360° viewing platform over London.
A new centre for contemporary dance and hip-hop in Stratford, with a 550-seat theatre and performance spaces.
A ground-breaking hologram concert experience featuring ABBA’s greatest hits at the purpose-built ABBA Arena.
Bamboo Mat is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant in Stratford East Village with sushi, ceviche and an outdoor terrace.
Darkhorse offers North Italian-inspired dishes with sustainable ingredients and organic wines in a stylish, friendly space.
The Gantry Hotel houses STK steakhouse, Union Social, and stylish venues with views for dining or events.
Brat is a Michelin-starred wood-fired restaurant in Hackney serving rustic seasonal cuisine in a covered courtyard.
A luxury design hotel in Stratford offering premium rooms, event studios and stunning views in a landmark building.
Hyatt Regency London Stratford offers stylish rooms and event spaces just steps from Westfield and Olympic Park.
Hyatt House features apartment-style suites with full kitchens and amenities ideal for long stays and business trips.
A trendy hotel in Stratford offering modern, social spaces, fast Wi-Fi, 24-hour snacks and pet-friendly rooms.
Things to do in Stratford and East Bank
In Stratford, you can dance to your favourite ABBA songs, see the sites of Olympic glory, shop for hours at Westfield or enjoy outdoor pursuits.
Event venues
London Stadium
Originally called the Olympic Stadium, the venue has hosted football, baseball, rugby and music concerts. London Stadium offers guided tours, a calendar of events and diverse business spaces and packages, with facilities ideal for conferences, workshops, dinners and parties for up to 800 guests.
V&A East
A haven of art, design and culture by the world-renowned V&A museums, V&A East offers spaces for installations, exhibitions, pop-ups and live performances. A short walk away is V&A East Storehouse, where visitors can browse through half a million works, see curated mini displays or watch the museum’s conservators working in their studio through a glass overlook balcony. The Central Hall can be hired for events for up to 300, and can include exclusive access to the David Bowie Centre.
London Aquatics Centre
The visually striking London Aquatics Centre is open to the public throughout the year and features indoor swimming pools and diving facilities originally built for the 2012 Olympics. The pool and other areas are available for private hire.
Here East
Here East is a cultural hub within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park that’s available to hire for events. Choose from diverse spaces including The Yard, The Undercroft, located beneath the auditorium and Canalside, which is set among landscaped gardens next to the waterway.
Activities
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The impressive Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park spans 225 hectares (560 acres). This park is ideal for sports and outdoor enthusiasts, offering scenic canals and top-notch sports facilities. Built for the 2012 Olympics, it has beautiful gardens, walking paths and play areas.
ArcelorMittal Orbit
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is a towering metal sculpture that’s part of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It features the Helix, the world’s largest tunnel slide, which rises 76 meters (250ft) high. The ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing deck offers stunning views of London. This unusual venue is available for private and corporate events.
Sadler’s Wells East
Sadler's Wells East features a 550-seat theatre presenting top dance shows from the UK and around the world, along with a new centre for contemporary dance, dance practice and a hip-hop academy.
ABBA Voyage
ABBA Voyage at the ABBA Arena is a groundbreaking concert experience featuring lifelike holograms of the famous Swedish band performing their classic hits as if they were really on stage. It can be hired for events of up to 400 and the nearest stations are Pudding Mill Lane and Stratford.
Restaurants
Bamboo Mat
Bamboo Mat is a Japanese and Peruvian fusion restaurant in Stratford’s East Village, serving sushi, ceviche and shareable plates. Watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen and relax at the outdoor terrace. There is a private dining room for up to 10 guests.
Darkhorse
Darkhorse, also located in Stratford’s East Village, is a restaurant serving delicious food made from sustainable ingredients, alongside organic wines and a friendly atmosphere. The northern Italian-inspired dishes feature unique twists, creating a rich dining experience. They also provide options for private venue hire.
The Gantry London at Curio Collection by Hilton
One of the best places to eat or host an event in Stratford is The Gantry. Stop by its fabulous bar, STK steak restaurant or soak up an iconic London view on Union Social’s outdoor terrace. The hotel has 291 rooms and suites and offers spaces for hire for events of up to 240.
Brat, Hackney
In nearby Hackney, you can find four Michelin-starred restaurants, including Brat. This wood-fired restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating in a covered courtyard, collaborating with British farmers and fishermen. It also offers private hire for up to 100 guests.
Hotels
The Stratford
Set across the first seven levels of Manhattan Loft Gardens, The Stratford is a design hotel with 145 rooms, ideal for both leisurely stays and work meetings. The corporate studios for hire feature floor-to-ceiling windows, 5G wifi, flat-screen TVs and multi-zone audio. Kitchen E20, an open dining bar, is also available for private hire.
Hyatt Regency London Stratford
This hotel in Westfield Stratford offers 225 stylish rooms and meeting spaces. With its close proximity to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the London Stadium, it’s ideal for both business and leisure travellers. Enjoy spa treatments in the comfort of your room.
Hyatt House Stratford City
Hyatt House is located in Westfield Stratford. The hotel features 125 comfortable studio and one-bedroom suites with full kitchens and cosy living areas. Guests can enjoy free daily breakfast, 24/7 access to the fitness centre and a relaxing bar and restaurant.
Moxy London Stratford
If you are after a stylish and trendy place to stay, the Moxy London Stratford fits the bill perfectly. Its 294 rooms feature high-speed Internet, allowing you to stay connected, unwind and recharge comfortably. Snacks and drinks are available around the clock and pets are welcome.
Travel information
How to get to Stratford
Stratford is easily accessible from other parts of London via Tube, rail, bus and bicycle.
Travel times to and from Stratford
- London Heathrow Airport: 52 minutes on the London Underground. Take the Jubilee line from Stratford and change at Bond Street for the Elizabeth line, which goes directly to all terminals.
- London Gatwick Airport: 45 minutes using the Tube and overland train. Take the Jubilee line and change at London Bridge to take the overground to Gatwick Airport.
- Ebbsfleet International: 10 minutes taking the train from Stratford International.
- St Pancras International: Seven minutes taking the train from Stratford International. At St Pancras, you can connect to the high-speed network that links to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Kent.
- Leicester Square: 23 minutes taking the Central line and changing to the Northern line at Tottenham Court Road.
- City of London: You can travel directly to London Bridge in 16 minutes on the Jubilee line. Alternatively, it takes 10 minutes to get to Bank using the Central line.
- Canary Wharf: 10 minutes on the Jubilee line (direct).
- Westminster: 20 minutes on the Jubilee line (direct).
- London City Airport: A 20-minute direct train ride to City Airport using the DLR.
- London Stansted Airport: 48 minutes taking the overland train to Tottenham Hale and changing for a train to Stansted.
- London Luton Airport: 75 minutes using the Elizabeth line to Farringdon and then the Thameslink to Luton Airport.
By bus
Many London bus routes connect different parts of London with Stratford. The bus station is located outside Stratford Station.
By bicycle
Santander bikes can be found outside Stratford Station.
Find more information about how to get around London as a business traveller in our business travel in London guide.
How we can help
As London’s official convention bureau, we help event professionals, meeting organisers and incentive planners unlock the city and create events to remember.
We can help you by providing:
- Free assistance: as a not-for-profit company, we don't charge for our services. Our experts share their entire wealth of knowledge and contacts with you for free.
- Impartial advice: we are independent and know London inside out. Our experts can help you discover venues, event agencies, unique experiences and activities for your event.
- Expert knowledge: we've supported thousands of delegates and helped them build world-class events. We've supported international congresses, conventions and conference teams to deliver inspiring events at scale.
