• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Guides / Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Bethnal Green

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Bethnal Green

May 2, 2018 By John Rabon

Bethnal Green is perhaps the closest London gets to a respite district.  Away from the hustle and bustle of places like Kensington, Westminster, and the City of London, life moves at a slightly different pace.  There’s fewer things to attract the bulk of tourists in this district, but that does not mean there isn’t anything to do.  Quite the contrary as you’ll find some of the most interesting markets, cafes, and museums here.  We’ve found ten things that just about anyone would want to do in Bethnal Green and ranked our favorites.  You can let us know your own in the comments.

Boxpark Shoreditch

Boxpark has several locations in London, and the concept is a fascinating one each time, taking old boxcars and turning them into a bevy of interesting shops and restaurants.  You’d be surprised at how much can fit in the small spaces of the boxcars from eyeglasses to toys and a half-dozen clothing stores.  There’s also a great selection of food to be had here from The Athenian to Voodoo Ray’s pizza, as well as concert venues and clubs.

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium

If you’re looking for a wonderful place to relax and have tea, surround yourself with some feline friends at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium.  As with most tea establishments, booking a time is a must, especially given that Lady Dinah’s is one of the only cat cafes in the entire city.  There’s a great food menu as well featuring stuffed croissants, soups, paninis, and cake.

Alcotraz Penitentiary

Themed drinking establishments have caught on in popularity, but Alcotraz gives new meaning to describing these places as “bars.”  It’s a bit pricey to get in at around £34 per person, but you won’t want to escape since this price includes your prison jumpsuit, four cocktails of your choice, and 1 hour, 45 minutes of the most unique drinking experience you’ll have in London.

St. Leonard’s Church

A church has existed on this spot since the Saxons were in charge, though the current St. Leonard’s Church was built from the previous medieval church into a grand Palladian worship center.  The interior of the church is absolutely gorgeous and is worth visiting whether you want to admire the architecture or take in the services. It’s also famous as the shooting location for the hit British comedy Rev.

Bethnal Green Gardens

Bethnal Green is home to several parks, further encouraging a reputation as a peaceful part of London.  Bethnal Green Gardens is at the end of the district and makes for a great destination as you travel down Bethnal Green Road.  In addition to the lovely public gardens, there are plenty of sports fields for tennis, football, and basketball, as well as the district’s only war memorial, the Stairway to Heaven.

Working Men’s Club

 

Arguably the centerpiece of nightlife in Bethnal Green, Working Men’s Club is open to patrons of both sexes and puts on any number of cabaret performances, concerts, and open mic nights.  Those looking for food will need to content themselves with some small plates featuring a wealth of burgers, steak, wings, and more.  If you’re planning to attend a show, you’ll need to make sure you buy tickets first, but you surely won’t be disappointed.

Spitalfields City Farm

It’s hard to find country life in the middle of a city, but Spitalfields City Farm has nearly everything you could find from homegrown vegetables to rare breed animals.  Of course, besides the crops and critters, there are gardens to behold and a treehouse to explore.  If you feel up for it, you can even volunteer to help on the farm for a day.

V & A Museum of Childhood

The Victoria & Albert Museums are known to be dedicated to the world’s best designs, and the Museum of Childhood features a great collection of designs that affect our kids, from children’s clothes over the ages to the toys that taught us how to play.  There’s also a number of events going on from daily activities to exhibits on how we dream.

London Buddhist Centre

Perhaps one explanation for the area’s peacefulness is because it serves as the home for the London Buddhist Centre.  It might not look like a temple, but this Victorian fire station now serves to help others find peace and enlightenment whether through yoga, meditation, courses, and learning about healthier lifestyles.  Whether you are Buddhist or not, you can attend any event at the temple and learn.

Columbia Road Flower Market

Of course, if you only have time to do one thing in Bethnal Green, you’ll want to be sure to hit the Columbia Road Flower Market.  While it’s only open on Sundays, it represents one of the largest weekly garden markets in the city, with rows of stalls dedicated to all manner of plants.  Of course, if the greenery isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other shops and stalls on Columbia Road featuring vintage clothes, antiques, and more.

John Rabon
Author: John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

close

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Featured, Guides, Tips, Top 10 London, Travel

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. SUDESH KUMAR says

    May 3, 2018 at 11:56 pm

    VERY FINE, HAPPY TO SEE THESE IMAGES.

  2. SUDESH KUMAR says

    May 3, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    UK IS AN ANCIENT AND FAMOUS COUNTRY IN THIS WORLD. PEOPLE ARE VERY INTELLIGENT, HARD WORKING, HONEST AND HAVE TOLERANCE PEOPLE. GOD HAS GIFTED ALL WHAT IS REQUIRED TO THIS COUNTRY. I WISH ALL THE BEST AND PROSPERITY. THANKS & BEST REGARDS, SUDESH KUMAR

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Get the Anglotopia/Londontopia App

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • More than 200 looks to feature in V&A exhibition on Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel
  • Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South at The Royal Academy
  • National Portrait Gallery to reopen with exhibition on pioneering color photographer
  • London Eye gets spring clean to mark start of the season
  • Natural History Museum named most visited indoor UK attraction again
  • The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance at the National Gallery
  • Gatwick returns to profit as air travel bounces back
  • Sir Mark Rylance brings role as Dr Semmelweis to West End
  • Shire horses prepare Tower of London moat for next wildflower display
  • In Video: Watch pianist Lang Lang perform at St Pancras station

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Recent Videos

Walk Around London Virtually Right Now – Watched Walker is the YouTube Channel We All Need Right Now

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line

London History: The Place Where Old London Double Decker Buses Went to Die

London Video: A Look at the Great Smog of London

10 Interesting Facts about the Hammersmith and City Line

Nearly half of Londoners have used Elizabeth line so far – survey

Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail

London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in