Stratford
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games undoubtedly raised Stratford’s profile, but for those in the know this community has been a thriving part of east London for generations.
Indeed, Stratford has been inhabited since Roman times, and was an important trade and industry hub from the 11th century on. After Stratford Station first opened in the mid 1800s, its position as a transport hub continued to grow, adding a major railway works and engine depot – an advantage for its innovative local factories looking to distribute their wares (for example, Stratford was home to one of the first factories to produce porcelain).
Stratford now forms the Park’s major entrance, with Stratford International and Stratford regional stations connecting the Park with the rest of London and the UK. It is a thriving business and commercial centre, with a young and diverse population.
The Park’s residents and business tenants can take advantage of the incredible variety that Stratford has to offer, from the many options available at Westfield Stratford City to the diverse markets, shops, cafes and pubs of Stratford’s historic town centre, part of the Stratford Original Business Improvement District.
Major universities like the University of East London and Birkbeck have campuses in the town, and cultural options include renowned regional theatre Stratford East and an arts and entertainment scene stretching from dance and physical theatre at Stratford Circus to a unique take on storytelling at the Discover Children’s Story Centre – complementing the East Bank cultural and education district currently being built on the Park.